BLACKLINE INC
For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 21, 2025.
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FY2024 · Filed Feb 21, 2025
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 –The Company
BlackLine, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “BlackLine”) provide financial accounting close solutions delivered primarily as Software as a Service (“SaaS”). The Company’s solutions enable its customers to address various aspects of their critical processes, including financial close & consolidation, intercompany accounting, and invoice-to-cash.
The Company is a holding company and conducts its operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary, BlackLine Systems, Inc. (“BlackLine Systems”).
On September 12, 2023, the Company acquired Data Interconnect (“DI”), hereinafter referred to as the “DI Acquisition”. DI is a cloud-based Invoice-to-Cash automation vendor within the electronic invoice presentment and payment (“EIPP”) market. The primary purpose of the DI Acquisition was to enhance the Company's existing accounts receivable automation solution by adding EIPP capabilities. This acquisition was not a significant acquisition under Regulation S-X, and the purchase accounting allocation is final.
On January 26, 2022, the Company acquired FourQ Systems, Inc. (“FourQ”), hereinafter referred to as the “FourQ Acquisition.” The primary purpose of the FourQ Acquisition was to enhance our existing intercompany accounting automation capabilities by driving end-to-end automation of traditionally manual intercompany accounting processes. This acquisition was not a significant acquisition under Regulation S-X, and the purchase accounting allocation is final.
The Company is headquartered in Woodland Hills, California. The Company has other local offices in Pleasanton, California; New York, New York; and Westport, Connecticut, as well as international office locations in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Note 2 –Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Policies, and Recently-Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the operating results of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates, primarily those related to determining the stand-alone selling price for separate deliverables in the Company’s subscription revenue arrangements, allowance for doubtful accounts, cancellations and credits, fair value of assets and liabilities assumed in a business combination, recoverability of goodwill and long-lived assets, useful lives associated with long-lived assets and right-of-use assets, income taxes, contingencies, fair value of contingent consideration, fair value of the 0.00% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2026 and 1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2029, redemption value of redeemable non-controlling interest, and the valuation and assumptions underlying stock-based compensation. These estimates are based on historical data and experience, as well as various other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company assessed certain accounting matters that generally require consideration of forecasted financial information in context with the information reasonably available to the Company at December 31, 2024 and through the date of this report. The accounting matters assessed included, but were not limited to, the Company’s valuation of contingent consideration, the allowance for credit losses, and the carrying value of goodwill and other long-lived assets. While there was not a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company’s future assessment of these accounting matters and other factors could result in material impacts to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods.
Segments
Management has determined that the Company hasone operating segment. Together, our Co-Chief Executive Officers are the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) and review the financial information on a consolidated and aggregate basis, together with certain operating metrics principally to make decisions about how to allocate resources and to measure the Company’s performance.
Concentration of credit risk and significant customers
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a significant concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments in marketable securities, and accounts receivable.
The Company maintains the majority of its cash balances withone major commercial bank in interest-bearing accounts, which exceeds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, federally insured limits. The Company invests its excess cash in money market mutual funds withtwo major investment banks. To date, the Company has not experienced any impairment losses on its investments.
For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, no single customer comprised 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues. No single customer had an accounts receivable balance of 10% or greater of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2024 or 2023.
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash includes cash held in checking and savings accounts. Cash equivalents are comprised of investments in money market mutual funds. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Restricted cash
Included in other assets and prepaid expenses and other current assets was $0.2 million and $0.2 million of restricted cash at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The cash was required to be restricted for use by the Company’s office leaseholder to collateralize a standby letter of credit.
Investments in marketable securities
The Company periodically assesses its portfolio of marketable securities for impairment. For debt securities in an unrealized loss position, this assessment first takes into account the Company’s intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of these criteria are met, the debt security’s amortized cost basis is written down to fair value through other income (expense), net.
For debt securities in an unrealized loss position that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the Company assesses whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, the Company considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and any adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss may exist, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses will be recorded through other income (expense), net, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any additional impairment not recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit loss expense. Losses are charged against the allowance when the Company believes the uncollectibility of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met. The Company hasnot recorded any credit losses for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company has not recorded any impairment charges for unrealized losses in the periods presented.
Accounts receivable and credit losses
Accounts receivable are recorded and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. The Company makes estimates of expected credit losses and cancellations and credits based upon its assessment of various factors, including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of its customers, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and other factors that may affect its ability to collect from customers. The estimated credit loss allowance is recorded as general and administrative expenses, while the estimated credit loss allowance for cancellations and credits is recorded as a reduction in revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.
Leases
The Company has leases for office space, equipment, and data centers. The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease, or contains a lease, at inception if the Company is both able to identify an asset and can conclude it has the right to control the identified asset for a period of time. Leases are included in property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, finance lease liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
The Company has made accounting policy elections, including a short-term lease exception policy, permitting the Company to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with expected terms of 12 months or less), and an accounting policy to account for lease and certain non-lease components as a single component for certain classes of assets. The portfolio approach, which allows a lessee to account for its leases at a portfolio level, was elected for certain equipment leases in which the difference in accounting for each asset separately would not have been materially different from accounting for the assets as a combined unit.
Finance lease assets and operating lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to control an underlying asset for the lease term. Finance lease liabilities and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, both of which are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date or remeasurement date to determine the discount rate used to present value lease payments for finance and operating leases. The incremental borrowing rate used is estimated based on what the Company would be required to pay for a collateralized loan over a similar term. Additionally, the Company generally uses the portfolio approach when applying the discount rate selected based on the dollar amount and term of the obligation. The Company’s leases typically do not include any residual value guarantees, bargain purchase options, or asset retirement obligations.
The Company’s lease terms are only for periods in which it has enforceable rights. The Company generally uses the base, non-cancellable lease term when determining the lease assets and liabilities. A lease is no longer enforceable when both the lessee and the lessor each have the right to terminate the lease without permission from the other party with no more than an insignificant penalty. The Company’s lease terms are impacted by options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option.
The Company’s agreements may contain variable lease payments. The Company includes variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate and excludes those which depend on facts or circumstances occurring after the commencement date, other than the passage of time. Additionally, for certain equipment leases, the Company applies a portfolio approach to effectively account for the lease assets and liabilities.
Judgment is required when determining whether any of the Company’s data center contracts contain a lease. The Company concluded a lease exists when the asset is specifically identifiable, substantially all the economic benefit of the asset is obtained, and the right to direct the use of the asset exists during the term of the lease.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is generally three tofive years for machinery and equipment and purchased software, andfive years for furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term orseven years. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred, while renewals and improvements are capitalized. Depreciation expense is charged to operations on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Capitalized internal-use software costs
The Company capitalizes certain costs in the development of its SaaS subscription solution when (i) the preliminary project stage is completed, (ii) management has authorized further funding for the completion of the project, and (iii) it is probable that the project will be completed and performed as intended. These capitalized costs include personnel and related expenses for employees and costs of third-party contractors who are directly associated with and who devote time to internal-use software projects. Capitalization of these costs ceases once the project is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended purpose. Costs incurred for significant upgrades and enhancements to the Company’s SaaS software solutions are also capitalized. Costs incurred for training, maintenance and minor modifications or enhancements are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software development costs are amortized using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life ofthree years.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company amortized $22.6 million, $19.1 million, and $13.6 million, respectively, of internal-use software development costs to subscription and support cost of revenues. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the accumulated amortization of capitalized internal-use software development costs was $83.2 million and $60.6 million, respectively.
The Company capitalizes certain implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract. These capitalized costs exclude training costs, project management costs, and data migration costs. Capitalized software implementation costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the associated hosting arrangements.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets primarily consist of developed technology, customer relationships, and trade names, which were acquired as part of purchase business combinations, as well as a defensive patent that was acquired through a purchase agreement. The Company determines the appropriate useful life of its intangible assets by performing an analysis of expected cash flows of the acquired assets. Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to 11 years.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Management evaluates the recoverability of the Company’s property and equipment, finite-lived intangible assets and capitalized internal-software costs when events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment exists. Events and changes in circumstances considered by the Company in determining whether the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable include, but are not limited to, significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results, significant changes in the use of the assets, significant negative industry or economic trends, and changes in the Company’s business strategy. Impairment testing is performed at an asset level that represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities (an “asset group”). In determining if impairment exists, the Company estimates the undiscounted cash flows to be generated from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset group. If the undiscounted cash flows for the asset group are less than its net book value, an impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company didnot record any charges for the impairment of cloud computing implementation costs. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized charges for the impairment of cloud computing implementation costs of $5.3 million.
Business combinations
The results of businesses acquired in business combinations are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. Purchase accounting results in assets and liabilities of an acquired business generally being recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. Any excess consideration over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill.
Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company performs valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and allocates the purchase price to its respective assets and liabilities. Determining the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, and the contingent consideration liability requires management to use significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, and selection of comparable companies. The Company engages the assistance of valuation specialists in concluding on fair value measurements in connection with determining fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually at the reporting unit level or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Events or changes in circumstances which could trigger an impairment review include a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, unanticipated competition, loss of key personnel, significant changes in the use of the acquired assets or the Company’s strategy, significant negative industry or economic trends, or significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future results of operations.
An entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then additional impairment testing is not required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform an impairment test.
The first step involves comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its book value, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no additional steps are necessary. If, however, the fair value of the reporting unit is less than book value, then an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the reporting unit’s fair value and carrying amount, not to exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill.
The Company hasone reporting unit, and it tests its goodwill for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter of the calendar year. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company used the quantitative approach to perform its annual goodwill impairment test. The fair value of the Company's reporting unit significantly exceeded the carrying value of its net assets and, accordingly, goodwill was not impaired.
Redeemable non-controlling interest
The Company's Japanese subsidiary (“BlackLine K.K.”) is not wholly owned. The agreements with the minority investors of BlackLine K.K. contain redemption features whereby the interest held by the minority investors are redeemable either (i) at the option of the minority investors or (ii) at the option of the Company, both beginning on the seventh anniversary of the initial capital contribution. If the interest of the minority investors were to be redeemed under these agreements, the Company would be required to redeem the interest based on a prescribed formula derived from the relative revenue of BlackLine K.K. and the Company. The balance of the redeemable non-controlling interest is reported at the greater of the initial carrying amount adjusted for the redeemable non-controlling interest's share of earnings or losses and other comprehensive income or loss, or its estimated redemption value. The resulting changes in the estimated redemption amount (increases or decreases) are recorded with corresponding adjustments against retained earnings or, in the absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in capital. These interests are presented on the consolidated balance sheets outside of equity under the caption “Redeemable non-controlling interest.”
Convertible senior notes
The Company accounts for the issued Notes as a liability at face value less unamortized debt issuance costs. The debt issuance costs are being amortized to expense over the respective term of the Notes. To the extent that the Company receives conversion requests prior to the maturity of the Notes, upon settlement of the conversion requests, the difference between the fair value and the amortized book value of the Notes requested for conversion is recorded as a gain or loss on early conversion. The fair value of the Notes are measured based on a similar liability that does not have an associated convertible feature based on the remaining term of the Notes, which requires significant judgment.
Restructuring costs
The Company records a charge for restructuring when management commits to a restructuring plan, the restructuring plan identifies all significant actions, the period of time to complete the restructuring plan indicates that significant changes to the restructuring plan are not likely, and employees who are impacted have been notified of the pending involuntary termination.
Fair value of financial instruments
ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, requires entities to disclose the fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recognized and not recognized on the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC 820 describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value, which are the following:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical or similar assets and liabilities.
Level 2: Quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active or observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical or similar assets or liabilities.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the carrying values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of such instruments.
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions is recorded at fair value as a liability on the acquisition date and is remeasured at each reporting date, based on significant inputs not observable in the market, which represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The valuation of contingent consideration uses assumptions management believes would be made by a market participant. Management assesses these estimates on an ongoing basis as additional data impacting the assumptions becomes available. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration related to updated assumptions and estimates are recognized within general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
To determine the fair value of the contingent consideration related to the FourQ Acquisition, management utilized a Monte Carlo simulation model to value the earnout based on the likelihood of reaching firm-specific targets. Significant inputs used in the fair value measurement of contingent consideration are the amount and timing of new and incremental combined bookings from FourQ and BlackLine, and revenues from a specified FourQ customer over athree-year period subsequent to the acquisition date, as well as the discount rate.
Certain assets, including goodwill and long-lived assets, are also subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis if they are deemed to be impaired as a result of an impairment review. Refer to “Impairment of long-lived assets”section above for additional information.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. The Company enters into contracts that can include various combinations of subscription and support services and professional services, which are generally capable of being distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. The Company’s agreements do not contain any refund provisions other than in the event of the Company’s non-performance or breach.
The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:
Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer;
Identification of performance obligations in the contract;
Determination of the transaction price;
Allocation of the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract; and
Recognition of revenue when, or as, performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company recognizes revenue net of any applicable value added or sales tax.
Subscription and support revenue– Customers pay subscription and support fees for access to the Company’s SaaS platform. Our subscription contracts have initial terms ofone year tothree years with renewal options. Fees are based on a number of factors, including the solutions subscribed for by the customer and the number of users having access to the solutions. Subscription services, which includes support, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable contractual term of the arrangement, generally beginning on the date that the Company’s service is made available to the customer.
Subscription and support revenue also includes software and related maintenance and support fees on perpetual licenses. Revenues from perpetual licenses are recognized immediately at the time the Company provides the customer with a right to use the software as it exists when made available to the customer. Customers may have purchased perpetual licenses or term-based licenses, which provide customers with the same functionality and differ mainly in the duration over which the customer benefits from the software.
Professional services revenue– Professional services consist of implementation and consulting services to assist the Company’s customers as they deploy our solutions. These services are considered distinct performance obligations. Professional services do not result in significant customization of the subscription service. The Company applies the practical expedient to recognize professional services revenue when it has the right to invoice based on time and materials incurred. The Company applies the optional exemption and has excluded the variable consideration from the disclosure of remaining performance obligations.
Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations– The Company’s contracts with customers often contain multiple performance obligations. For these contracts, the Company accounts for individual performance obligations separately if they are distinct. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) basis. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together, as well as the determination of SSP for each distinct performance obligation, may require significant judgment. The Company typically has more than one SSP for its SaaS solutions and professional services. Additionally, management has determined that there are no third-party offerings reasonably comparable to the Company’s solutions. Therefore, the Company determines the SSPs of subscriptions to the SaaS solutions and professional services based on numerous factors including the Company’s overall pricing objectives, geography, customer size, number of users, and discounting practices. The Company uses historical maintenance renewal fees to estimate SSP for maintenance and support fees bundled with software licenses. The Company uses the residual method to estimate SSP of software licenses, because license pricing is highly variable and not sold separately from maintenance and support.
Contract balances– Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. The Company records an unbilled receivable when revenue is recognized prior to invoicing, and deferred revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to invoicing. The Company generally invoices customers annually at the beginning of each annual contract period.
Deferred revenue is comprised mainly of billings in advance of revenue being recognized related to the Company’s subscription and support services and professional services arrangements.
Changes in deferred revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 were primarily due to additional billings in the periods, partially offset by revenue recognized of $316.7 million, $274.3 million, and $239.9 million, respectively, that was previously included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
The transaction price is generally determined by the stated fixed fees in the contract, excluding any related sales taxes. Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue that has not yet been recognized (“contracted not recognized”), which includes deferred revenue and amounts that will be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. Contracted not recognized revenue was $879.4 million at December 31, 2024, of which the Company expects to recognize approximately 57.6% over the next 12 months and the remainder thereafter.
Fees are generally due and payable within 30 days. None of the Company’s contracts include a significant financing component.
Assets recognized from the costs to obtain a contract with a customer– The Company recognizes an asset for the incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if the Company expects the benefit of those costs to be one year or longer. The Company has determined that certain sales incentive programs to the Company’s employees (“deferred customer contract acquisition costs”) and its partners (“partner referral fees”) meet the requirements to be capitalized. Deferred customer acquisition costs related to new revenue contracts and upsells are deferred and then amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, which the Company has determined to befive years, based upon both the product turnover rate and estimated customer life. The Company enters into partnership arrangements where partner referral fees are paid either on the initial contract or on both the initial contract and renewal of the contract. The Company assesses whether the renewal fee is commensurate with the initial fee. When the renewal fee is commensurate with the initial fee, the Company amortizes the deferred costs over the initial year of the contract. Otherwise, the initial fee is amortized over five years. Deferred customer acquisition costs and partner referral fees are included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. There were no impairment losses in relation to the costs capitalized for the periods presented.
Amortization expense related to the asset recognized from the costs to obtain a contract with a customer is included in sales and marketing expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and was $37.0 million, $34.1 million, and $29.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues primarily consists of costs related to hosting the Company’s cloud-based application suite, salaries and benefits of operations and support personnel, including stock-based compensation, professional fees, and amortization of capitalized internal-use software costs. The Company allocates a portion of overhead, such as rent, information technology costs and depreciation and amortization to cost of revenues. Costs associated with providing professional services are expensed as incurred when the services are performed. In addition, subscription and support cost of revenues includes amortization of acquired developed technology.
Sales and marketing
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation and employee benefits, including stock-based compensation, of sales and marketing personnel and related sales support teams, sales and partner commissions, marketing events, advertising costs, computer software-related costs, travel, trade shows, other marketing materials, and allocated overhead. Sales and marketing expenses also include amortization of customer relationship intangible assets, transaction-related costs, and impairment of cloud computing implementation costs. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $11.6 million, $11.8 million, and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Research and development
Research and development expenses are comprised primarily of salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation associated with the Company’s engineering, product and quality assurance personnel. Research and development expenses also include third-party contractors and supplies, computer software-related costs, transaction-related costs, and allocated overhead. Other than software development costs that qualify for capitalization, as discussed above, research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs associated with the Company’s executive, finance, legal, human resources, compliance, and other administrative personnel, as well as accounting and legal professional fees, other corporate-related expenses and allocated overhead. General and administrative expenses also include amortization of covenant not-to-compete and trade name intangible assets, the change in value of the contingent consideration, transaction-related costs, and impairment of cloud computing implementation costs.
Stock-based compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation awards granted to employees and directors based on the awards’ estimated grant date fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of its stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For awards that vest solely based on continued service (“service-only vesting conditions”), the resulting fair value is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period, which is generally four years.
The Company recognizes the fair value of restricted stock units with performance and service conditions based upon the probability of the performance conditions being met, using the graded vesting method. The Company recognizes the fair value of restricted stock units with market and service conditions based upon the achievement of total stockholder return (“TSR”) relative to an industry index being met, using the graded vesting method. The Company estimates the fair value of its restricted stock units with market and service conditions using the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model, which requires the use of various assumptions, including the stock price volatility and risk-free interest rate as of the valuation date corresponding to the length of time remaining in the performance period. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur rather than estimating a forfeiture rate.
The Company recognizes the fair value of ESPP shares using the Black-Scholes option valuation model based on the following assumptions:
Expected volatility. The expected volatility is based on a weighted average of the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the expected term.
Expected term. The expected term represents the amount of time remaining in the offering period.
Risk-free interest rate. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant corresponding to the expected term of the ESPP share.
Estimated dividend yield. The estimated dividend yield iszero, as the Company does not currently intend to declare dividends in the foreseeable future.
Share Repurchase Program
On November 17, 2024, the Board of Directors (“the Board”) authorized the repurchase of up to $200.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The authorization will expire at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.
Repurchases may be made from time to time through open market repurchases or through privately-negotiated transactions subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other relevant factors. Open market repurchases may be structured to occur in accordance with the requirements of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company may also, from time to time, enter into Rule 10b5-1 plans to facilitate repurchases of its shares under this authorization. The repurchase program does not obligate the
Company to acquire any particular amount of its common stock, and it may be suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased may depend on a variety of factors, including price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities.
Income taxes
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued with respect to uncertain tax positions, if any, in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.
Net income (loss) per share
Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to BlackLine, Inc. by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding.
For periods where the Company reports net income, the Company will calculate diluted net income per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. by adjusting the denominator for potentially dilutive common shares, which are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock underlying stock options and unvested stock awards using the treasury stock method, as well as for the potential impact of our Notes using the if-converted method or the treasury stock method, as applicable. Under the if-converted method, the numerator is adjusted by adding back interest expense, net of any tax impact.
For periods where the Company reports net losses, the Company will calculate diluted net loss per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. by excluding from the denominator potentially dilutive common shares, which are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock underlying stock options and unvested stock awards, as well as the potential impact of our Notes, as they are antidilutive. For these periods, basic net loss per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. is equivalent to diluted net loss per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc.
Foreign currency
The Company’s functional currency for its foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. Dollar (“USD”), with the exception of its BlackLine K.K. subsidiary, for which the Japanese Yen is the functional currency. The foreign exchange impacts of remeasuring the local currency of the foreign subsidiaries to the functional currency is recorded in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Monetary assets and liabilities of foreign operations are remeasured at balance sheet date exchange rates, non-monetary assets and liabilities and equity are remeasured at the historical exchange rates, while results of operations are remeasured at average exchange rates in effect for the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses consist of both realized and unrealized gains and losses. Foreign currency transaction losses totaled $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, foreign currency transaction gains totaled $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and foreign currency transaction losses totaled $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The financial statements of BlackLine K.K. are translated to USD using balance sheet date exchange rates for monetary assets and liabilities, historical rates of exchange for non-monetary assets and liabilities and equity, and average exchange rates in the period for revenues and expenses. Translation gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets.
Recently-adopted accounting pronouncements
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280), Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This standard expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. For public business entities, it is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted the standard for the year ended December 31, 2024. Refer to “Note 3 - Segment Information” for additional information.
Recently-issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses(“ASU 2024-03”), and in January 2025, the FASB issued Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date("ASU 2025-01"). ASU 2024-03 requires public companies to disclose, in interim and reporting periods, additional information about certain expenses in the financial statements. For public business entities, ASU 2024-03, as clarified by ASU 2025-01, is effective for the first annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of ASU 2024-03 is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on our disclosures within our consolidated financial statements. The Company does not intend to early adopt.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires that an entity, on an annual basis, disclose additional income tax information, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The amendment in the ASU is intended to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. For public business entities, it is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the updated standard will have on our disclosures within our consolidated financial statements.
Note 3 –Segment Information
Management has determined that the Company hasone operating and reportable segment. The Company provides subscription and support services that consist of a cloud-based platform designed to unify, automate, and streamline accounting and finance operations, and also provides professional services that consist of implementation and consulting services. The technology used in the subscription and support services is based on a single software platform that is deployed to and implemented by customers. The Company manages the business activities on a consolidated basis, and operating segments have not been aggregated. The accounting policies of the operating segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
Our CODM assesses performance for the operating segment and decides how to allocate resources based on the review of net income (loss). The CODM uses net income (loss), among other measures, for budgeting and resource allocation purposes. Expenses significant to the segment were determined to be cost of revenues, sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, and the provision for (benefit from) income taxes, which are all presented in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. Other significant expenses include depreciation expense of $30.5 million, $29.5 million, and $23.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, as well as amortization expense of $19.9 million, $20.6 million, and $19.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
The Company’s intra-entity sales are eliminated upon consolidation.
The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by geographic location, as it believes it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of its revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
The following table sets forth the Company’s revenues by geographic region (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| United States | $457,955 | $422,192 | $373,423 |
| International | 195,381 | 167,804 | 149,515 |
| $653,336 | $589,996 | $522,938 | |
No countries outside the U.S. represented 10% or more of total revenues.
The measure of segment assets is reported on the consolidated balance sheets as total consolidated assets. The following table sets forth the Company’s long-lived assets, which consist of property and equipment, net, and operating lease ROU assets by geographic region (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| United States | $18,399 | $21,831 |
| International | 16,213 | 12,209 |
| $34,612 | $34,040 | |
Note 4 –Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest
In September 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with Japanese Cloud Computing and M30 LLC (the “Investors”) to engage in the investment, organization, management, and operation of BlackLine K.K. that is focused on the sale of the Company's products in Japan. The Company initially contributed approximately $4.5 million in cash in exchange for 51% of the outstanding common stock of BlackLine K.K. and subsequently invested a further $2.3 million, maintaining the Company's majority ownership of 51%. As the Company continues to control a majority stake in BlackLine K.K., the entity has been consolidated.
All of the common stock held by the Investors is callable by the Company or puttable by the Investors upon certain contingent events. Should the call or put option be exercised, the redemption value will be determined based upon a prescribed formula derived from the discrete revenues of BlackLine K.K. and the Company, and may be settled, at the Company’s discretion, with Company stock or cash. As a result of the put right available to the Investors in the future, the redeemable non-controlling interest in BlackLine K.K. is classified outside of permanent equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, and the balance is reported at the greater of the initial carrying amount adjusted for the redeemable non-controlling interest's share of earnings, or its estimated redemption value. The resulting changes in the estimated redemption amount are recorded within retained earnings or, in the absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in capital.
Activity in the redeemable non-controlling interest was as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Balance at beginning of period | $30,063 | $23,895 | $28,699 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest (excluding adjustment to non-controlling interest) | 1,952 | 892 | (369) |
| Foreign currency translation | (171) | (58) | (304) |
| Adjustment to redeemable non-controlling interest | 4,639 | 5,334 | (4,131) |
| Balance at end of period | $36,483 | $30,063 | $23,895 |
Note 5 –Business Combinations
Acquisition of Data Interconnect
On September 12, 2023, the Company completed the DI Acquisition for cash consideration of $11.4 million, which was paid at the closing of the acquisition. The DI Acquisition enhances the Company's existing accounts receivable automation solution capabilities through EIPP. Transaction-related costs, which include, but are not limited to, accounting, legal, and advisory fees related to the transaction, incurred by the Company totaling approximately $1.2 million were expensed as incurred during the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Company accounted for the transaction as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The total purchase price was allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation was finalized as of the filing date of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The purchase consideration and major classes of assets and liabilities to which the Company allocated the total fair value of purchase consideration of $11.4 million were as follows (in thousands):
| Cash consideration | $11,394 |
|---|---|
| Post-acquisition working capital adjustment | 9 |
| Total cash purchase consideration | $11,403 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $27 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 916 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 893 |
| Property and equipment, net | 49 |
| Intangible assets, net | 8,800 |
| Goodwill | 5,104 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 402 |
| Other assets | 58 |
| Accounts payable | (665) |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | (1,570) |
| Deferred revenue, current | (98) |
| Operating lease liabilities | (402) |
| Deferred tax liabilities, net | (2,111) |
| Total consideration | $11,403 |
The Company believes the amount of goodwill resulting from the acquisition is primarily attributable to increased offerings to customers and enhanced opportunities for growth and innovation. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is not tax deductible.
To determine the estimated fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company engaged a third-party valuation specialist to assist management. All estimates, key assumptions, and forecasts were either provided by, or reviewed by, the Company. While the Company chose to utilize a third-party valuation specialist for assistance, the fair value analysis and related valuations reflect the conclusions of the Company and not those of any third party. The fair value measurements of the intangible assets were based primarily on significant unobservable inputs and thus represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The acquired intangible asset categories, fair value, and amortization periods, were as follows:
| Amortization Period | Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (in years) | (in thousands) | |
| Developed technology | 5 | $8,110 |
| Customer relationships | 3 | 690 |
| $8,800 | ||
The weighted average lives of intangible assets at the acquisition date was 4.8 years.
The estimated fair value of developed technology and customer relationships acquired of $8.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, was determined through the use of a third-party valuation firm using the cost approach methodology. The cost approach considers the cost to replace (or reproduce) the assets and the effects on the assets' values of functional and/or economic obsolescence that has occurred with respect to the asset. The direct transaction costs of the acquisition were accounted for separately from the business combination and expensed as incurred.
The revenue and earnings of the acquired business were included in the Company’s results since the acquisition date and have not been presented separately using pro forma revenues and results of operations as its impact is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods presented.
FourQ Systems, Inc.
On January 26, 2022, the Company completed the FourQ Acquisition for cash consideration of $160.2 million payable at the closing of the acquisition. In addition, the Company agreed to pay a maximum of $73.2 million of contingent consideration if certain earnout conditions were met. At January 26, 2022, the fair value of the contingent consideration liability was $55.9 million and was included in contingent consideration on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. As of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the financial performance milestones were not met, and the Company is no longer obligated to pay the contingent consideration of
$73.2 million. See “Note 16 - Contingent Consideration” for additional information regarding the valuation of the contingent consideration at December 31, 2024.
The FourQ Acquisition enhances the Company's existing intercompany accounting automation capabilities by driving end-to-end automation of traditionally manual intercompany accounting processes. The Company incurred transaction-related costs, which include, but are not limited to, fees for accounting, legal, and advisory services of $3.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The transaction-related costs were expensed as incurred.
The Company accounted for the transaction as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The total purchase price was allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective estimated fair values on the acquisition date.
The purchase consideration and major classes of assets and liabilities to which the Company allocated the total fair value of purchase consideration of $214.2 million are considered final. The following table presents the final allocation of the purchase price (in thousands):
| Cash consideration | $160,224 |
|---|---|
| Post-acquisition working capital adjustment | (635) |
| Contingent consideration | 55,947 |
| Less: One-time expense related to accelerated vesting | (1,322) |
| Purchase consideration | $214,214 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $1,164 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,853 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 410 |
| Other assets | 143 |
| Property and equipment | 659 |
| Intangible assets | 74,400 |
| Goodwill | 154,151 |
| Accounts payable | (1,537) |
| Accrued liabilities | (2,585) |
| Deferred revenue | (231) |
| Deferred tax liabilities, net | (14,213) |
| Total consideration | $214,214 |
The Company believes the amount of goodwill resulting from the acquisition is primarily attributable to increased offerings to customers, and enhanced opportunities for growth and innovation. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is not tax deductible.
To determine the estimated fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company engaged a third-party valuation specialist to assist management. All estimates, key assumptions, and forecasts were either provided by, or reviewed by the Company. While the Company chose to utilize a third-party valuation specialist for assistance, the fair value analysis and related valuations reflect the conclusions of the Company and not those of any third party. The fair value measurements of the intangible assets were based primarily on significant unobservable inputs and thus represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The acquired intangible asset categories, fair value, and amortization periods, were as follows:
| Amortization Period | Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (in years) | (in thousands) | |
| Developed technology | 7 | $64,900 |
| Customer relationships | 3 | 9,500 |
| $74,400 | ||
The weighted average lives of intangible assets at the acquisition date was 6.5 years.
The identified intangible assets, developed technology and customer relationships, were valued as follows:
Developed technology – The Company valued the finite-lived developed technology using the multi-period excess earnings model under the income approach. This method estimates an intangible asset’s value based on the present value of the incremental after-tax cash flows attributable to the intangible asset. The Company applied judgment which involves the use of significant assumptions with respect to the discount rate, obsolescence rate, revenue forecasts, research and development costs for future technology, and EBITDA forecasts.
Customer relationships – The Company valued the finite-lived customer relationships using the differential cash flow (with-and-without) model, an income approach. This method assumes that the value of the intangible asset is equal to the difference between the present value of the prospective cash flows with the intangible asset in place and the present value of the prospective cash flows without the intangible asset. The Company applied judgment, which involved the use of significant assumptions with respect to the discount rate and the customer ramp-up rate.
Note 6 –Intangible Assets and Goodwill
The carrying value of intangible assets was as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | |
| Trade name | $15,977 | $(15,977) | $— |
| Developed technology | 137,718 | (80,284) | 57,434 |
| Customer relationships | 26,779 | (25,528) | 1,251 |
| Defensive patent | 2,333 | (1,498) | 835 |
| $182,807 | $(123,287) | $59,520 | |
| December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | |
| Trade name | $15,977 | $(15,977) | $— |
| Developed technology | 137,368 | (66,900) | 70,468 |
| Customer relationships | 26,779 | (19,342) | 7,437 |
| Defensive patent | 2,333 | (1,182) | 1,151 |
| $182,457 | $(103,401) | $79,056 | |
Amortization expense is included in the following functional statements of operations expense categories. Amortization expense was as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Cost of revenues | $13,370 | $12,438 | $11,315 |
| Sales and marketing | 6,201 | 6,791 | 6,505 |
| General and administrative | 315 | 1,379 | 1,911 |
| $19,886 | $20,608 | $19,731 | |
The following table presents the Company’s estimate of remaining amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter for finite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2024 (in thousands):
| 2025 | $14,128 |
| 2026 | 13,713 |
| 2027 | 13,178 |
| 2028 | 12,412 |
| 2029 | 2,615 |
| Thereafter | 3,474 |
| $59,520 |
The following table represents the changes in goodwill (in thousands):
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $443,861 |
|---|---|
| Additions from acquisitions | 5,104 |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 448,965 |
| Additions from acquisitions | — |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $448,965 |
Note 7 –Balance Sheet Components
Investments in Marketable Securities
The Company hadno marketable securities at December 31, 2024.
At December 31, 2023, investments in marketable securities presented within current assets on the consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmortizedCost | GrossUnrealizedGains | GrossUnrealizedLosses | Fair Value | |
| Marketable securities | ||||
| U.S. treasury securities | $523,344 | $737 | $(107) | $523,974 |
| Commercial paper | 241,428 | 1 | — | 241,429 |
| U.S. government agencies | 168,078 | 2 | (128) | 167,952 |
| $932,850 | $740 | $(235) | $933,355 | |
The Company recognized accretion on its marketable securities in interest income, and also recognized net gains and losses related to maturities of marketable securities that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss in interest income, which totaled $18.4 million, $33.9 million, and $8.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Net gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method. During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, there were nominal realized gains and losses related to sales of marketable securities recognized in the Company's accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Marketable securities in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months had an estimated fair value of $286.6 million, and unrealized losses of $0.2 million at December 31, 2023. There wereno marketable securities in a continuous loss position for greater than 12 months at December 31, 2023.
The Company's marketable securities were considered to be of high credit quality and accordingly, there wasno allowance for credit losses related to marketable securities as of December 31, 2023.
Other Assets
Deferred customer contract acquisition costs are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled $86.1 million and $89.9 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities were comprised of the following (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Accrued salaries and employee benefits | $41,833 | $33,344 |
| Accrued income and other taxes payable | 11,297 | 9,408 |
| Accrued restructuring costs | — | 1,569 |
| Other accrued expenses and current liabilities | 18,444 | 15,369 |
| $71,574 | $59,690 | |
Note 8 –Fair Value Measurements
The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level, within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
| December 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
| Cash equivalents | ||||
| Money market funds | $809,906 | $— | $— | $809,906 |
| Total assets | $809,906 | $— | $— | $809,906 |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Contingent consideration | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| Total liabilities | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| December 31, 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
| Cash equivalents | ||||
| Money market funds | $148,298 | $— | $— | $148,298 |
| Commercial paper | — | 38,926 | — | 38,926 |
| U.S. government agencies | — | 19,987 | — | 19,987 |
| Marketable securities | ||||
| U.S. treasury securities | 523,974 | — | — | 523,974 |
| Commercial paper | — | 241,429 | — | 241,429 |
| U.S. government agencies | — | 167,952 | — | 167,952 |
| Total assets | $672,272 | $468,294 | $— | $1,140,566 |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Contingent consideration | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| Total liabilities | $— | $— | $— | $— |
The following table summarizes the changes in the contingent consideration liability (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Beginning fair value | $— | $41,549 | $20,732 |
| Additions in the period | — | — | 55,947 |
| Payments in the period | — | (8,000) | — |
| Change in fair value | — | (33,549) | (35,130) |
| Ending fair value | $— | $— | $41,549 |
The Company classified the marketable debt securities as available-for-sale debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluated such classification as of each balance sheet date. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair values of our instruments that were classified as Level 1 were derived from quoted market prices for identical instruments in active markets. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair values of Level 2 instruments were derived from broker reports that utilized quoted market prices for similar instruments.
As a condition of the FourQ Acquisition that occurred on January 26, 2022, the Company agreed to pay additional cash consideration if FourQ realized certain firm-specific targets, including the amount and timing of new and incremental combined bookings from FourQ and BlackLine, and revenues from a specified FourQ customer over athree-year period subsequent to the acquisition date. The maximum cash consideration to be distributed is $73.2 million. Changes in the significant inputs used in the fair value measurement, specifically a change in new and incremental actual and forecasted combined bookings from FourQ and the Company, can significantly impact the fair value of the contingent consideration liability. At December 31, 2024, the related liability for the FourQ Acquisition waszero. As of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the financial performance milestones were not met, and the Company is no longer obligated to pay the contingent consideration of $73.2 million.
Increases and decreases in the fair value of contingent consideration are recorded as expense or reversals of expense, respectively, within general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Note 9 –Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Computers and equipment | $23,354 | $22,396 |
| Purchased software | 13,990 | 14,007 |
| Furniture and fixtures | 4,511 | 4,197 |
| Leasehold improvements | 16,316 | 16,198 |
| Data center equipment - finance lease | 1,297 | 1,231 |
| Building - finance lease | 1,521 | 1,219 |
| Construction in progress | 2,638 | — |
| Property and equipment, gross | 63,627 | 59,248 |
| Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (51,787) | (44,381) |
| Property and equipment, net | $11,840 | $14,867 |
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $7.9 million, $10.4 million, and $9.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Note 10 –Leases
The Company has entered into various operating and finance lease agreements for office space and data centers. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 18 leased properties with remaining lease terms of less thanone year toten years, some of which include options to extend or terminate the leases.
The components of the lease expense recorded in the consolidated statements of operations were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Finance lease cost: | |||
| Amortization of assets | $1,007 | $1,020 | $652 |
| Interest on lease liabilities | 19 | 45 | 44 |
| Operating lease cost | 7,519 | 6,663 | 5,767 |
| Short-term lease cost | 532 | 378 | 388 |
| Variable cost | 1,343 | 1,237 | 1,190 |
| Total lease cost | $10,420 | $9,343 | $8,041 |
Cash flow and other information related to leases was as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | |||
| Financing cash flows from finance leases | $1,046 | $1,036 | $662 |
| Operating cash flows from operating lease liabilities | $7,899 | $7,467 | $5,338 |
| Weighted average remaining lease term at end of period (in years): | |||
| Finance leases | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.7 |
| Operating leases | 6.2 | 4.2 | 3.9 |
| Weighted average discount rate: | |||
| Finance leases | 7.8% | 3.5% | 3.7% |
| Operating leases | 7.4% | 5.7% | 2.8% |
Maturities of lease liabilities at December 31, 2024, for each of the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter, were (in thousands):
| Finance Leases · Operating Leases | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $72 | $4,800 |
| 2026 | 16 | 6,126 |
| 2027 | 16 | 5,318 |
| 2028 | 16 | 4,285 |
| 2029 | 12 | 1,994 |
| Thereafter | — | 8,057 |
| Total lease payments | 132 | 30,580 |
| Less imputed interest | (13) | (6,772) |
| Total lease obligations | $119 | $23,808 |
Refer to “Note 9 - Property and Equipment” for additional information on finance leases.
Note 11 –Convertible Senior Notes
2029 Notes
On May 24, 2024 and June 5, 2024, the Company issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount, and an additional aggregate principal amount in connection with the initial purchasers’ option of $75.0 million, respectively, of 1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2029 (the “2029 Notes” and, together with the 0.125% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) and the 0.00% Convertible Senior Notes due in 2026 (the “2026 Notes”), the “Notes”), in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The 2029 Notes were sold to the initial purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The 2029 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture (the “2029 Indenture”), by and between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
Interest on the 2029 Notes is payable semi-annually in cash at a rate of 1.00% per annum on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2024. The 2029 Notes will mature on June 1, 2029, unless redeemed, repurchased, or converted prior to such date in accordance with their terms.
The initial conversion rate of the 2029 Notes is 14.6047 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2029 Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $68.47 per share of common stock.
The conversion rate is subject to adjustment for certain events. Upon conversion, the Company will pay, or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at its election. It is the Company’s current intent to settle conversions of the 2029 Notes through “combination settlement”, which involves repayment of the principal portion in cash and any excess of the conversion value over the principal amount in shares, cash, or a combination for any further value.
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding March 1, 2029, the 2029 Notes will be convertible only under the following circumstances:
(1) during any calendar quarter and only during such calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of the Common Stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price for the 2029 Notes on each applicable trading day;
(2) during thefive business-day period after anyfive consecutive trading-day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 2029 Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Common Stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day;
(3) if the Company calls any or all of the 2029 Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or
(4) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the 2029 Indenture.
If the Company undergoes a fundamental change, as described in the 2029 Indenture, prior to the maturity date, holders may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2029 Notes for cash at a price equal to
100% of the principal amount of the 2029 Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid special interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.
The 2029 Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2029 Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of current or future subsidiaries of the Company.
The 2029 Indenture contains customary events of default with respect to the 2029 Notes and provides that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, the Trustee may, and the Trustee at the request of holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2029 Notes shall, declare all principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, of the 2029 Notes to be due and payable. In case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, involving the Company, all of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on the 2029 Notes will automatically become due and payable.
The 2029 Notes consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31 | |
|---|---|
| 2024 | |
| Liability: | |
| Principal | $675,000 |
| Unamortized debt issuance costs | (11,494) |
| Net carrying amount | $663,506 |
The effective interest rate of the 2029 Notes, excluding the conversion option, was 1.40% at December 31, 2024.
The Company carries the 2029 Notes at face value less unamortized debt issuance costs on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and presents the fair value for disclosure purposes only. The estimated fair value was determined based on the actual bids and offers of the 2029 Notes in an over-the-counter market on the last trading day of the period. The estimated fair value of the 2029 Notes, based on a market approach at December 31, 2024, was approximately $729.4 million, which represents a Level 2 valuation.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized $1.5 million of interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and $4.1 million of coupon interest expense.
The 2029 Notes were not convertible at December 31, 2024.
2026 Notes
In March 2021, the Company issued $1.150 billion aggregate gross proceeds, which included the initial purchasers’ option of $150.0 million aggregate principal amount, of the 2026 Notes in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2026 Notes were sold to the initial purchasers pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The 2026 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture (the “2026 Indenture”), by and between the Company and the Trustee.
The 2026 Notes do not bear regular interest, and the principal amount of the 2026 Notes does not accrete. The 2026 Notes may bear special interest under specified circumstances related to the Company’s failure to comply with its reporting obligations under the 2026 Indenture or if the 2026 Notes are not freely tradeable as required by the 2026 Indenture. The 2026 Notes will mature on March 15, 2026, unless redeemed, repurchased, or converted prior to such date in accordance with their terms.
The initial conversion rate of the 2026 Notes is 6.0156 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $166.23 per share of common stock.
The conversion rate is subject to adjustment for certain events. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of its common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock, at its election. It is the Company’s current intent to settle conversions of the 2026 Notes through “combination settlement”, which involves repayment of the principal portion in cash and any excess of the conversion value over the principal amount in shares of its common stock.
Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding December 15, 2025, the 2026 Notes will be convertible only under the following circumstances:
(1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2021, and only during such calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price for the 2026 Notes on each applicable trading day;
(2) during thefive business-day period after anyfive consecutive trading-day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 2026 Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day;
(3) if the Company calls any or all of the 2026 Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date; or
(4) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events set forth in the 2026 Indenture.
If the Company undergoes a fundamental change, as described in the 2026 Indenture, prior to the maturity date, holders may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2026 Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2026 Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid special interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.
The 2026 Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2026 Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of current or future subsidiaries of the Company.
The 2026 Indenture contains customary events of default with respect to the 2026 Notes and provides that upon certain events of default occurring and continuing, the Trustee may, and the Trustee at the request of holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2026 Notes shall, declare all principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, of the 2026 Notes to be due and payable. In case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, involving the Company, all of the principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on the 2026 Notes will automatically become due and payable.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022, in accounting for the issuance of the 2026 Notes, management allocated the proceeds of the 2026 Notes between liability and equity components. To estimate the fair value of the liability component, management measured the fair value of a similar liability that did not have an associated conversion feature by discounting the contractual cash flows of the 2026 Notes at an estimated interest rate for a comparable non-convertible note. The Company applied judgment to determine the interest rate of 5.65%, which was estimated based on the credit spread implied by the 2026 Notes issuance. Significant inputs used in the model to determine the applicable interest rate include implied volatility over the term of the 2026 Notes. The equity component representing the conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the principal amount of the 2026 Notes. The difference between the principal amount of the 2026 Notes and the equity component totaling $276.3 million was recorded as a debt discount. In addition, the Company incurred $21.2 million of transaction costs related to the 2026 Notes, of which $16.1 million and $5.1 million, respectively, was allocated to the liability and equity components of the 2026 Notes. Transaction costs allocated to the equity component were recorded as additional debt discount. The equity component of the 2026 Notes was not remeasured as it continued to meet the conditions for equity classification. The debt discount was amortized to interest expense over the term of the 2026 Notes using the effective interest method. Additionally, the Company recorded, through equity, a deferred tax liability of $2.4 million, net of the related change in the valuation allowance, related to the debt issuance costs on the 2026 Notes.
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022, the Company reclassified the remaining balance of the conversion feature of $271.2 million from additional paid-in capital to convertible debt for $233.4 million and retained earnings for $37.8 million. Accordingly, the Company no longer carries an equity component of the Notes, and no longer incurs non-cash interest expense related to the accretion of the debt discount associated with the embedded conversion option.
In connection with the issuance of the 2029 Notes, the Company used approximately $662.6 million of the net proceeds from the offering of the 2029 Notes, as well as liquid investments on hand of $185.9 million to repurchase $919.8 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes. The difference between the consideration paid and the carrying value of the repurchased 2026 Notes, inclusive of any unamortized debt issuance costs, was recognized as a gain on extinguishment of $65.1 million in other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The 2026 Notes consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Liability: | ||
| Principal | $230,196 | $1,150,000 |
| Unamortized debt issuance costs | (1,027) | (9,392) |
| Net carrying amount | $229,169 | $1,140,608 |
The effective interest rate of the 2026 Notes, excluding the conversion option, remained unchanged at 0.37% for December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The Company carries the 2026 Notes at face value less unamortized debt issuance costs on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and presents the fair value for disclosure purposes only. The estimated fair value was determined based on the actual bids and offers of the 2026 Notes in an over-the-counter market on the last trading day of the period. The estimated fair value of the 2026 Notes, based on a market approach at December 31, 2024, was approximately $212.9 million, which represents a Level 2 valuation.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $2.2 million and $4.2 million of interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs, respectively.
The 2026 Notes were not convertible at December 31, 2024.
2024 Notes
In August 2019, the Company issued the 2024 Notes for aggregate gross proceeds of $500.0 million, which included the initial purchasers’ option of $65.0 million aggregate principal amount, in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes (as defined above) in March 2021, the Company used approximately $432.2 million of the net proceeds to repurchase $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes.
On August 1, 2024, the scheduled maturity date, the Company repaid the total outstanding $250.0 million aggregate principal amount and related $0.2 million of accrued interest pursuant to the terms of the 2024 Notes with cash on hand. The 2024 Notes consisted of the following (in thousands):
| December 31, | |
|---|---|
| 2023 | |
| Liability: | |
| Principal | $250,000 |
| Unamortized debt issuance costs | (767) |
| Net carrying amount(1) | $249,233 |
(1)Net carrying amount as of December 31, 2023 presented within total current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
The effective interest rate of the 2024 Notes, excluding the conversion option, remained unchanged at 0.65% through the maturity date of August 1, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
The Company carried the 2024 Notes at face value less unamortized debt issuance costs on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized $0.8 million of interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and $0.2 million of coupon interest expense. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized $1.3 million of interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs and $0.3 million of coupon interest expense.
2029 Capped Calls
In connection with the offering of the 2029 Notes, the Company entered into capped call transactions (the “2029 Capped Calls” and together with the 2024 and 2026 Capped Calls, the “Capped Calls”) with certain counterparties at a cost of approximately $59.7 million, which was recorded as a reduction of the Company’s additional paid-in capital in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Under the 2029 Capped Calls, the Company purchased capped call options that initially cover in the aggregate the total number of shares of the Company’s common stock that initially underlie the 2029 Notes, with an exercise price equal to the initial conversion price of the 2029 Notes, and a cap price of $92.17 per share of common stock, subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the 2029 Capped Calls.
By entering into the 2029 Capped Calls, the Company expects to reduce the potential dilution to its common stock upon any conversion of the 2029 Notes (or, in the event a conversion of the 2029 Notes is settled in cash, to reduce its cash payment obligation) in the event that at the time of conversion of the 2029 Notes, the market value per share of its common stock exceeds the conversion price of the 2029 Notes, with such reduction subject to the cap price.
The cost of the 2029 Capped Calls is not expected to be tax deductible as the Company did not elect to integrate the 2029 Capped Calls into the 2029 Notes for tax purposes.
As of December 31, 2024, all of the 2029 Capped Calls remained outstanding.
2026 Capped Calls
In connection with the offering of the 2026 Notes, the Company entered into privately-negotiated capped call transactions (the “2026 Capped Calls”) with certain counterparties covering, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, approximately 6.9 million shares of our common stock and are generally expected to offset the potential economic dilution of our common stock up to the initial cap price. The 2026 Capped Calls have an initial strike price of $166.23 per share - subject to certain adjustments, which corresponds to the initial conversion price of the 2026 Notes - and an initial cap price of $233.31 per share, subject to certain adjustments.
The Company entered into the 2026 Capped Calls at a cost of approximately $102.4 million, which was recorded as a reduction of the Company’s additional paid-in capital in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. By entering into the 2026 Capped Calls, the Company expects to reduce the potential dilution to its common stock upon any conversion of the 2026 Notes (or, in the event a conversion of the 2026 Notes is settled in cash, to reduce its cash payment obligation) in the event that at the time of conversion of the 2026 Notes, the market value per share of its common stock exceeds the conversion price of the 2026 Notes, with such reduction subject to the cap price. The cost of the 2026 Capped Calls is not expected to be tax deductible as the Company did not elect to integrate the 2026 Capped Calls into the 2026 Notes for tax purposes.
As of December 31, 2024, all of the 2026 Capped Calls remained outstanding.
2024 Capped Calls
In connection with the offering of the 2024 Notes, the Company entered into privately-negotiated capped call transactions (the “2024 Capped Calls”). All remaining 2024 Capped Calls expired upon the maturity of the 2024 Notes on August 1, 2024.
Note 12 –Restructuring Costs
Fiscal 2023 Restructuring Program
On August 23, 2023, the Company announced its intention to reduce its global workforce by approximately 9%, or approximately 166 total positions. The actions were designed to support the Company’s growth, scale and profitability objectives. The actions were substantially completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 subject to local law and consultation requirements.
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded $1.7 million and $9.8 million, respectively, primarily for severance and other termination benefits, which occurred in the U.S. and various international locations. The charges were recorded as one-time termination benefits pursuant to ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. The Company does not anticipate incurring additional expenses.
Fiscal 2022 Restructuring Program
On December 7, 2022, the Company announced its intention to reduce its global workforce by approximately 5%, or approximately 95 total positions. The actions were primarily in response to cost reduction initiatives to focus on key growth priorities. The actions were substantially completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 subject to local law and consultation requirements.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 the Company recorded zero, $1.1 million, and $3.8 million, respectively, primarily for severance and other termination benefits, which occurred in the U.S. and various international locations. The charges were recorded as one-time termination benefits pursuant to ASC 420. The Company does not anticipate incurring additional expenses.
The liability for the fiscal 2023 and 2022 restructuring programs was included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, and the following tables summarize the related activity for the respective plans for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):
| Restructuring Program | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Total | |
| Accrual balance as of December 31, 2023 | $1,562 | $7 | $1,569 |
| Restructuring charges | 1,720 | — | 1,720 |
| Cash payments and adjustments | (3,282) | (7) | (3,289) |
| Accrual balance as of December 31, 2024 | $— | $— | $— |
| Restructuring Program | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal 2023 | Fiscal 2022 | Total | |
| Accrual balance as of December 31, 2022 | $— | $1,737 | $1,737 |
| Restructuring charges | 9,815 | 1,149 | 10,964 |
| Cash payments and adjustments | (8,253) | (2,879) | (11,132) |
| Accrual balance as of December 31, 2023 | $1,562 | $7 | $1,569 |
Restructuring charge adjustments were changes in estimates whereby increases and decreases in charges were generally recorded to operating expenses in the periods of adjustments.
Note 13 –Equity Awards
2014 and 2016 Plans
On March 3, 2014, the Company adopted the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). In November 2016, upon the completion of the Company’s initial public offering, the Company adopted the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) and determined that it will no longer grant any additional awards under the 2014 Plan. However, the 2014 Plan continues to govern the terms and conditions of the outstanding awards previously granted under the 2014 plan. Upon the adoption of the 2016 Plan, the maximum number of shares issuable was 6.2 million, plus a number of shares equal to the number of shares subject to outstanding awards granted under the 2014 Plan after the date the 2014 Plan is terminated without having been exercised in full. The Company’s Board may grant stock options and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants under the 2016 Plan. The aggregate number of shares available under the 2016 Plan and the number of shares subject to outstanding options automatically adjusts for any changes in the Company’s outstanding common stock by reason of any recapitalization, spin-off, reorganization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, or similar transaction. Stock options and restricted stock units generally vest over three tofour years and have contractual terms often years.
At December 31, 2024,20.4 million shares were available for issuance under the 2016 Plan.
Stock options - service-only vesting conditions
The following table summarizes activity for awards that contain service-only vesting conditions:
| Shares | Weighted-AverageExercise Price | Weighted-AverageRemainingContractual Term | AggregateIntrinsic Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) · (in years) · (in thousands) | ||||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 1,693 | $45.67 | 4.6 | $37,077 |
| Exercised | (396) | $19.61 | ||
| Forfeited/canceled | (60) | $107.89 | ||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 1,237 | $50.96 | 4.1 | $18,242 |
| Exercisable at December 31, 2024 | 1,229 | $50.56 | ||
There wereno stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised that contain service only vesting conditions during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $14.3 million, $15.2 million, and $13.4 million, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was $7.6 million, $19.8 million, and $4.7 million, respectively.
Unrecognized compensation expense relating to stock options that contain service only vesting conditions was $0.3 million at December 31, 2024, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years.
Restricted stock units - service-only vesting conditions
The following table summarizes activity for restricted stock units that contain service-only vesting conditions:
| RestrictedStock Units | Weighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2023 | 2,208 | $68.82 |
| Granted | 1,905 | $62.87 |
| Vested | (1,004) | $70.13 |
| Forfeited/canceled | (298) | $68.11 |
| Nonvested at December 31, 2024 | 2,811 | $64.40 |
At December 31, 2024, the intrinsic value of service-based nonvested restricted stock units was $170.8 million. At December 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units was $154.5 million and was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years.
Restricted stock units - performance and service conditions
Grants of performance and service-based restricted stock units vest over athree-year period. The total fair value of the grants made during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $12.5 million.
The following table summarizes activity for restricted stock units with performance and service vesting conditions with grant dates (in thousands):
| RestrictedStock Units | Weighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2023 | 113 | $67.17 |
| Granted | 206 | $60.43 |
| Performance adjustment | (62) | $67.17 |
| Vested | (51) | $67.17 |
| Forfeited/canceled | (8) | $58.57 |
| Nonvested at December 31, 2024 | 198 | $60.51 |
The following table summarizes activity for restricted stock units with performance and service vesting conditions with no grant dates established (in thousands):
| RestrictedStock Units | Weighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2023 | 235 | N/A |
| Granted (legal grant with no grant date established) | 147 | N/A |
| Granted (accounting grant date established) | (133) | N/A |
| Forfeited/canceled | (5) | N/A |
| Nonvested at December 31, 2024 | 244 | N/A |
At December 31, 2024, the intrinsic value of performance and service-based nonvested restricted stock units with established grant dates was $12.0 million. At December 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to performance and service-based nonvested restricted stock units with established grant dates was $0.8 million and was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.2 years.
At December 31, 2024, the intrinsic value of performance and service-based nonvested restricted stock units with no grant dates established was $14.8 million.
Restricted stock units - market and service conditions
Grants of market and service-based restricted stock units vest subject to the achievement of TSR relative to an industry index over athree-year period. The total fair value of the grants made during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $19.0 million.
The following table summarizes activity for restricted stock units with market and service-based conditions:
| RestrictedStock Units | Weighted-AverageGrant DateFair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | ||
| Nonvested at December 31, 2023 | — | N/A |
| Granted | 202 | $93.89 |
| Vested | — | N/A |
| Forfeited/canceled | — | N/A |
| Nonvested at December 31, 2024 | 202 | $93.89 |
At December 31, 2024, the intrinsic value of market and service-based nonvested restricted stock units was $12.3 million. At December 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to market and service-based nonvested restricted stock units was $14.6 million and was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Under the Company’s 2018 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), eligible employees are granted the right to purchase shares at the lower of 85% of the fair value of the stock at the time of grant or 85% of the fair value at the time of exercise. The right to purchase shares is granted twice yearly for six month offering periods in May and November and exercisable on or about the succeeding November and May, respectively, of each year. Under the ESPP,0.6 million shares remained available for issuance at December 31, 2024. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to the ESPP of $3.2 million, $3.3 million, and $3.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
The fair value of ESPP shares granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Risk-free interest rate | 4.4% - 5.4% | 4.5% - 5.4% | 1.4% - 4.5% |
| Expected term (in years) | 0.5 - 1 | 0.5 - 1 | 0.5 - 1 |
| Volatility | 33.4% - 41.5% | 39.8% - 58.5% | 39.3% - 65.5% |
At December 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the 2018 ESPP was $2.1 million and was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximatelyone year.
Stock-based compensation expense
Stock-based compensation expense recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Cost of revenues | $10,501 | $10,342 | $8,595 |
| Sales and marketing | 25,428 | 24,152 | 26,310 |
| Research and development | 13,345 | 13,095 | 14,382 |
| General and administrative | 33,977 | 30,381 | 26,597 |
| $83,251 | $77,970 | $75,884 | |
Stock-based compensation capitalized as an asset was $4.5 million, $3.5 million, and $2.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
The Company recorded $0.8 million of foreign tax provisions attributable to equity awards for the year ended December 31, 2024, and $0.1 million and $0.1 million of foreign tax benefits attributable to equity awards for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Note 14 –Income Taxes
The components of loss before income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| United States | $126,341 | $62,745 | $(41,534) |
| International | (1,643) | (2,236) | (5,877) |
| $124,698 | $60,509 | $(47,411) | |
The components of the total provision for (benefit from) income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Current | |||
| Federal | $4,474 | $272 | $— |
| State | 3,872 | 859 | 316 |
| Foreign | 3,361 | 1,844 | 564 |
| Total current tax expense | 11,707 | 2,975 | 880 |
| Deferred | |||
| Federal | (35,071) | 202 | (12,709) |
| State | (17,791) | 100 | (1,503) |
| Foreign | (1,912) | (1,827) | (188) |
| Total deferred tax provision | (54,774) | (1,525) | (14,400) |
| Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes | $(43,067) | $1,450 | $(13,520) |
A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Federal statutory income tax rate | 21.0% | 21.0% | 21.0% |
| State tax, net of federal benefit | (11.8)% | 2.7% | (1.2)% |
| Federal tax credits | (2.5)% | (9.8)% | 10.0% |
| De-recognized tax credit carryforwards | 2.6% | —% | —% |
| Unrecognized tax benefit remeasurement | 4.3% | —% | —% |
| Change in valuation allowance | (53.2)% | (13.8)% | (1.8)% |
| Foreign tax differential | 0.9% | 2.0% | (2.3)% |
| Windfall tax benefits, net related to stock-based compensation | 1.8% | 4.1% | 1.1% |
| Nondeductible officer compensation | 3.9% | 6.8% | (11.1)% |
| Nondeductible transaction costs | —% | 0.3% | (1.5)% |
| Contingent consideration | —% | (11.6)% | 15.7% |
| Nondeductible meals and entertainment | 0.5% | 0.7% | (1.1)% |
| Foreign-derived intangible income tax benefit | (1.8)% | —% | —% |
| Other | (0.2)% | —% | (0.3)% |
| (34.5)% | 2.4% | 28.5% | |
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Deferred tax assets | ||
| Net operating loss carryforwards | $14,906 | $55,779 |
| Research and other credits | 17,288 | 39,248 |
| Capitalized R&D | 40,131 | 28,455 |
| Stock-based compensation | 7,570 | 7,811 |
| Operating and finance leases | 3,382 | 3,343 |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 7,300 | 5,445 |
| Other | 2,962 | 779 |
| Total deferred tax assets | 93,539 | 140,860 |
| Less: valuation allowance | (4,677) | (92,079) |
| Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | 88,862 | 48,781 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||
| Intangible assets | (13,801) | (18,698) |
| Prepaid expenses | (23,194) | (24,861) |
| Operating lease right-of-use and finance lease assets | (3,191) | (2,973) |
| Accretion on investment | — | (8,253) |
| Other | — | (245) |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (40,186) | (55,030) |
| Net deferred taxes | $48,676 | $(6,249) |
ASC 740, Income Taxes, requires that the tax benefit of net operating losses, temporary differences, and credit carryforwards be recorded as an asset to the extent that management assesses that realization is “more likely than not.” A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Realization of future tax benefits is dependent on the Company’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period. During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, the Company determined that the $89.1 million U.S. deferred tax asset valuation allowance was no longer required. This determination was based on an evaluation of positive and negative factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s achievement of adjusted pre-tax income resulting in a three-year cumulative income position as of December 31, 2024, the Company’s full utilization of its federal net operating loss carryforward during 2024, and the Company’s projections of future pre-tax income. Based on available objective evidence, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against certain foreign deferred tax assets at December 31, 2024.
The changes in the valuation allowance were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Valuation allowance, at beginning of year | $92,079 | $99,476 | $32,279 |
| Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance recorded through earnings | (87,402) | (7,063) | 2,880 |
| Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance recorded through equity | — | (334) | 64,317 |
| Valuation allowance, at end of year | $4,677 | $92,079 | $99,476 |
The decrease in valuation allowance recorded through equity of $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 is related to unrealized gains reported in other comprehensive income. The increase in valuation allowance recorded through equity of $64.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 resulted from the adoption of ASU 2020-06, which required the reversal of deferred tax liabilities associated with the Company’s 2024 and 2026 Notes.
The decrease in valuation allowance recorded through earnings of $87.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 resulted primarily from the release of valuation allowance previously recorded against its U.S. deferred tax assets, partially offset by an increase in valuation allowance recorded against certain foreign deferred tax assets.
The decrease in valuation allowance recorded through earnings of $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 resulted primarily from the utilization of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards due to domestic profitability, along with the valuation allowance decrease associated with net deferred tax liabilities from the DI Acquisition, which are a source of taxable income to support the recognition of existing UK deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance release resulted in a UK deferred tax benefit of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The increase in valuation allowance recorded through earnings of $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 resulted primarily from the effects of the capitalization and amortization of research and development expenses as required by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act, partially offset by the valuation allowance decrease associated with net deferred tax liabilities acquired from FourQ which are a source of taxable income to support the recognition of existing BlackLine deferred tax assets. The Company elected to consider the recoverability of the acquired deferred tax assets before existing BlackLine deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance release associated with the acquired FourQ net deferred tax liabilities resulted in a U.S. deferred tax benefit of $14.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company did not provide for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings and other outside temporary differences of foreign subsidiaries as they are considered indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the amount of temporary differences related to undistributed earnings and other outside temporary differences upon which U.S. income taxes have not been provided is immaterial to these consolidated financial statements.
At December 31, 2024, the Company had consolidated state net operating loss carryforwards available to offset future taxable income of approximately $68.0 million. The state losses will begin to expire between 2031 and 2041, depending on the jurisdiction. The Company has federal research and development credits of $5.9 million, which begin to expire in 2043. The Company has state research and development credits of $10.7 million, which are indefinite in expiration. Pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382, use of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards may be limited if the Company experiences a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% over a three-year period.
The following is a rollforward of the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Beginning gross unrecognized tax benefits | $7,104 | $5,513 | $4,266 |
| Increases related to prior year tax positions | 9,243 | 274 | 162 |
| Increases related to current year tax positions | 2,351 | 1,317 | 1,085 |
| Ending gross unrecognized tax benefits | $18,698 | $7,104 | $5,513 |
At December 31, 2024, included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits is $18.7 million, that if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. The Company recorded less than $0.1 million interest and penalties in its provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, and less than $0.1 million was accrued in interest and penalties at December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
The Company files U.S. federal, various state, and foreign income tax returns. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities. The tax years from 2013 forward remain subject to examination for federal purposes. Generally, state and foreign tax authorities may examine the Company’s tax returns for four years and five years, respectively, from the date an income tax return is filed. However, the taxing authorities may continue to examine the Company’s federal and state net operating loss carryforwards until the statute of limitations closes on the tax years in which the federal and state net operating losses are utilized.
The Company regularly evaluates any necessary changes to their uncertain tax positions. During 2024 the Company remeasured their uncertain tax position reserve which resulted in an increase to prior year positions of $9.2 million. The Company does not anticipate material changes in the total amount or composition of its unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months of the reporting date.
Note 15 –Net Income (Loss) per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Basic net income (loss) per share | |||
| Numerator: | |||
| Net income (loss) attributable to BlackLine, Inc. | $161,174 | $52,833 | $(29,391) |
| Denominator: | |||
| Weighted average shares | 62,129 | 60,849 | 59,539 |
| Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. | $2.59 | $0.87 | $(0.49) |
| Diluted net income (loss) per share | |||
| Numerator: | |||
| Net income (loss) attributable to BlackLine, Inc. | $161,174 | $52,833 | $(29,391) |
| Interest expense, net of taxes | 7,804 | 5,716 | — |
| Gain on extinguishment of convertible senior notes, net of taxes | (62,147) | — | — |
| Net income (loss) attributable to BlackLine, Inc. for diluted calculation | $106,831 | $58,549 | $(29,391) |
| Denominator: | |||
| Weighted average shares | 62,129 | 60,849 | 59,539 |
| Dilutive effect of securities | 691 | 872 | — |
| Dilutive effect of convertible senior notes | 10,683 | 10,324 | — |
| Shares used to calculate diluted net income (loss) per share | 73,503 | 72,045 | 59,539 |
| Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. | $1.45 | $0.81 | $(0.49) |
The Company computes basic earnings per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The Company computes diluted earnings per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of potentially dilutive shares, which is based on the weighted-average shares of common stock underlying stock options and unvested stock awards using the treasury stock method, and the effect of the convertible senior notes using the if-converted method.
The weighted average impact of potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the diluted per share calculations because they were anti-dilutive were as follows (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| Stock options - service-only vesting conditions | 330 | 1,062 | 2,431 |
| Restricted stock units - service-only vesting conditions | 1,813 | 1,834 | 2,202 |
| Restricted stock units - performance and service conditions | 55 | 16 | 207 |
| Restricted stock units - market and service conditions | 153 | — | — |
| Restricted stock units - performance, market, and service conditions | — | 73 | 189 |
| Total shares excluded from net income (loss) per share | 2,351 | 2,985 | 5,029 |
The denominator for diluted net income per share attributable to BlackLine, Inc. does not include any effect from the Capped Calls as this effect would be anti-dilutive. In the event of conversion of the Notes, shares delivered to the Company under the Capped Calls would offset the dilutive effect of the shares that the Company would issue under the Notes. Refer to “Note 11 - Convertible Senior Notes” for additional information on the Notes and the related Capped Calls.
Note 16 –Contingent Consideration
As a condition of the FourQ Acquisition that occurred on January 26, 2022, the Company agreed to pay additional cash consideration if FourQ realized certain firm-specific targets, including the amount and timing of new and incremental combined bookings from FourQ and BlackLine, and revenues from a specified FourQ customer over athree-year period subsequent to the acquisition date. The maximum cash consideration to be distributed is $73.2 million. Changes in the significant inputs used in the fair value measurement, specifically a change in new and incremental actual and forecasted combined bookings from FourQ and the Company, can significantly impact the fair value of the contingent consideration liability. As of December 31, 2024, the FourQ contingent consideration waszero. As of the filing date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the financial performance milestones were not met, and the Company is no longer obligated to pay the contingent consideration of $73.2 million. Refer to “Note 2 - Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Policies, and Recently-Issued Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information regarding the valuation of the contingent consideration.
In conjunction with the 2013 Acquisition, option holders of BlackLine Systems were allowed to cancel their stock option rights and receive a cash payment equal to the amount of calculated gain (less applicable expense and other items) had they exercised their stock options and then sold their common shares as part of the 2013 Acquisition. As a condition of the 2013 Acquisition, the Company was obligated to pay additional cash consideration to certain equity holders since the Company realized taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2022. The maximum contingent cash consideration of $8.0 million was paid during the year ended December 31, 2023, which reduced the liability tozero.
Increases and decreases in the fair value of contingent consideration are recorded as expense or reversals of expense, respectively, within general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Note 17 –Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation—From time to time, the Company may become subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings, nor is it aware of any pending or threatened litigation that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results, cash flows, or financial condition should such litigation be resolved unfavorably.
Indemnification—In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to customers, vendors, investors, directors, and officers with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of its breach of such agreements, services to be provided by the Company, or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. These indemnification provisions may survive termination of the underlying agreement and the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions may not be subject to maximum loss clauses. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is indeterminable. The Company has never paid a material claim, nor has it been sued in connection with these indemnification arrangements. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company has not accrued a liability for these indemnification arrangements because the likelihood of incurring a payment obligation, if any, in connection with these indemnification arrangements was not probable or reasonably estimable.
Note 18 –Defined Contribution Plan
The Company sponsors a defined contribution retirement plan (the “Plan”) that covers substantially all domestic employees. The Company makes matching contributions of 100% of each $1 of the employee’s contribution up to the first 3% of the employee’s semi-monthly compensation and 50% of each $1 of the employee’s contribution up to the next 2% of the employee’s semi-monthly compensation. Matching contributions to the Plan recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations totaled $7.2 million, $7.6 million, and $7.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
Note 19 –Subsequent Events
On February 12, 2025, the Compensation Committee approved restricted stock unit grants to employees totaling 0.1 million shares. Each restricted stock unit entitles the recipient to receiveone share of common stock upon vesting of the award. The restricted stock units are service-based and will vest as to one-fourth of the total number of units awarded on the first anniversary of February 20, 2025 and quarterly thereafter for 12 consecutive quarters.
On February 12, 2025, the Compensation Committee approved the performance metrics for the 2025 performance period, resulting in the establishment of accounting grant dates for the third tranche of the 2023 and second tranche of the 2024 performance and service-based restricted stock units totaling 0.2 million target shares.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.