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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-K

     
(Mark One)
   
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004
 
or
 
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 000-22125


DiamondCluster International, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
  36-4069408
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
875 N. Michigan Avenue,
Suite 3000
Chicago, Illinois
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  60611
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 255-5000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $.001 per share

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

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     Yes o          No þ

      Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer.     Yes þ          No o

      As of September 30, 2003 there were 33,716,210 shares of Common Stock of Registrant outstanding. The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates as of September 30, 2003 was an estimated $202.1 million, computed based upon the closing price of $6.84 per share on September 30, 2003.

      As of May 31, 2004, there were 39,188,037 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

      Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporates by reference portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year; provided that if such proxy statement is not filed with the Commission in such 120-day period, an amendment to this Form 10-K shall be filed no later than the end of the 120-day period.




DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended

March 31, 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS

             
Page

 PART I
   Business     2  
   Properties     15  
   Legal Proceedings     15  
   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     15  
 
 PART II
   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters     16  
   Selected Consolidated Financial Data     17  
   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     18  
   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Sensitive Instruments     31  
   Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     32  
   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     33  
   Controls and Procedures     33  
 
 PART III
   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     33  
   Executive Compensation     34  
   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     34  
   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     34  
   Principal Accountant Fees and Services     34  
 
 PART IV
   Exhibits, Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K     35  
 Operating Agreement
 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
 Certifications
 Certifications
 Certifications
 Certifications
 Certifications
 Certifications
 Risk Factors

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PART I

Available Information

      DiamondCluster International, Inc.’s executive offices are located at Suite 3000, John Hancock Center, 875 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, and our telephone number is (312) 255-5000. Our stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol “DTPI.” Our internet address is http://www.diamondcluster.com. We make available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). We also make available through our website other reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, including our proxy statements and reports filed by officers and directors under Section 16(a) of that Act, as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. We do not intend for information contained in our website to be part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

      In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we use the terms “DiamondCluster,” “we,” “our Company,” “the Company,” “our,” and “us” to refer to DiamondCluster International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All references to years, unless otherwise noted, refer to our fiscal year, which ends March 31.

 
Item 1. Business

Overview

      DiamondCluster International, Inc. (“DiamondCluster”) is a premier global management consulting firm. We help leading organizations worldwide to understand and leverage technology to realize value in their businesses. Our firm offers clients skills in strategy, technology and program management to help companies reduce costs, incorporate flexibility into their businesses, address changing regulations and markets, improve operations, and grow their businesses. We combine innovative strategic thinking, deep industry expertise and a thorough understanding of technology to deliver successful business solutions. We work collaboratively with our clients using small, multidisciplinary teams of consultants because we believe the most lasting and significant improvements occur when the client is integrally involved in the change. Our approach of using multidisciplinary teams allows our consultants to identify and design solutions that traditional approaches, because of their sequential nature, may not identify. We go to market by vertical industry and focus on industries that are strategically dependent upon technology. We currently serve clients in five vertical industries: financial services, insurance, telecommunications, healthcare and the public sector. We operate globally with offices in North America, Europe and Latin America.

      DiamondCluster was formed on November 28, 2000, when Diamond Technology Partners Incorporated acquired all of the outstanding shares of Cluster Telecom BV (“Cluster”). Cluster was a pan-European management consulting firm specializing in wireless technology and digital strategies. DiamondCluster generated $154.8 million of net revenues (before reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses) from 110 clients in fiscal year 2004 and at March 31, 2004, employed 481 consultants and had nine offices in North America, Europe and Latin America, including offices in Barcelona, Chicago, Düsseldorf, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Münich, Paris, and São Paulo.

Industry Background and Opportunity

      Demand in the consulting industry is driven by change. The business environment today is faced with significant changes on a wide variety of fronts, including globalization, regulatory requirements, economic cycles, new competition, industry and market consolidation, organizational restructurings, and new technologies. Management teams are constantly assessing the potential impact of these changes on their businesses. Many of these changes are significant and impact entire organizations. Other changes impact specific products or functional areas.

      Among the most pervasive of these changes is technology. Technology often fundamentally affects how a company relates to its customers, suppliers, employees, investors and competitors. As such, organizations

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invest significant resources in technology. Consequently, technology is increasingly an area of focus among the highest levels of business organizations, including the CEO and the board of directors, as they look for new strategies that enable them to leverage their existing assets while taking advantage the opportunity and flexibility that technology can afford their businesses.

      Management teams turn to consultants for a number of reasons, including the need for deep expertise in a specific area, the need to do something in an accelerated timeframe, the need to mitigate their risk, the need for an outside objective perspective, or the need for someone outside the organization to serve as an agent to implement major change within their organizations. We believe that companies increasingly seek outside consultants that can provide a combination of innovative strategic analysis, in-depth vertical industry expertise and a thorough understanding of technology and its applications to design and, importantly, to implement a solution that will improve their business.

      While the fundamental reasons management teams look to consultants for help have not changed in many decades, we believe a structural change is taking place in the consulting industry. First, the traditional information technology service providers, which comprise a majority of the consulting industry, are consolidating while also increasing their size and scope of service offerings to include larger and more complex projects, such as business process outsourcing. Second, there has been a growing acceptance around the world of the offshore programming firms, which offer a compelling economic alternative or programming services. These firms have put a good deal of pressure on the traditional information technology service providers for this type of business. Finally, while the traditional strategic consulting firms have recognized the need to expand their traditional scope of services beyond strategy and organization, they have been either reluctant or unable to fully integrate technology and execution advisory services into their firms. We believe these structural industry changes give objective consultants with deep expertise in strategy, technology and program management, an increasingly valuable role for the foreseeable future.

      As both business and technology become increasingly complex, the market for consulting services grows. We believe that this increasing complexity, coupled with consolidation and other shifts in the consulting marketplace, also increases the importance of an objective advisor that is able to remain vendor independent. International Data Corporation (IDC) estimates that the worldwide business consulting and information technology (“IT”) consulting services markets will reach $54.2 billion and $32.2 billion, respectively, in 2006, based on an analysis for the years 2001-2006.

Our Competitive Strengths

      We combine innovative strategic thinking, in-depth vertical industry expertise, a global presence, a thorough understanding of technology and its applications, and complex program management skills to deliver powerful business solutions for our clients. We offer clients the range of services of a traditional information technology service provider, with the objective, advisory role of the traditional strategic consulting firms. We help our clients use technology to reduce costs, incorporate flexibility into their businesses, address changing regulations and markets, improve operations, and grow their businesses. We believe the following attributes distinguish us from our competitors:

      Objectivity. We provide our clients with objective advice in the areas of strategy, technology, and program management. We believe that the increasing complexity of technology and the changing structure within the consulting industry (see “Industry Background and Opportunity”) increases the value to senior management of an objective advisor, such as DiamondCluster. We have intentionally avoided offering services or entering into alliances that might bias our objectivity, such as selling or reselling hardware or software, or offering programming services.

      Collaborative Business Model. Our business model dictates that we work collaboratively with our clients. We believe this approach is best because we believe the most lasting and significant improvements occur when the client is integrally involved in the change. We work with CEOs and senior leadership teams of leading organizations worldwide to understand and leverage technology in their businesses. This approach transfers to the client critical knowledge and accountability that is necessary to enact lasting and productive change. Our model is designed to provide only the highest value services to our clients. When needed, we

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subcontract third-party sources, including offshore firms, to provide a complete solution. We believe this provides more value to our clients.

      Small, Multidisciplinary Teams. We work with our clients from the earliest stages of study and assessment through the creation and implementation of a solution using small teams with skills in strategy, technology and program management. We believe our approach of using small, multidisciplinary teams provides our clients with a common perspective and breadth of expertise not available from other consulting firms.

      Strategic Industry Insight and Expertise. We focus on serving five vertical industries: financial services, insurance, telecommunications, healthcare, and the public sector. We believe our vertical industry focus enables us to define and deliver solutions that effectively address the market and regulatory dynamics, and business opportunities facing our clients.

      Global Diversity and Presence. We deliver our services worldwide through our offices in North America, Europe and Latin America. We believe that our global reach and knowledge, combined with our understanding of local markets, provide us the ability to deliver consistent, high-quality consulting services.

      Senior-Level Relationships. We sell our services to “c-level” buyers within an organization (i.e., CEO, COO, CFO, CIO, CMO). We also have in place a number of programs that maintain these relationships in between engagements (see “Business Development”). Our goal is to become managements’ trusted advisor, with no bias towards a particular technology or product.

      Delivery of Results. DiamondCluster delivers tangible results, not just recommendations. Our consultants work with client management to develop a complete cost/benefit analysis, which focuses on metrics such as shareholder value and return on invested capital. DiamondCluster then works with the client to implement the solution to achieve the results.

      Ability to Quickly Evolve Our Offerings. The consulting industry is subject to changes in economic, business and technology cycles, which requires a consulting firm to be very agile in order to maintain the relevancy of its services to the market. Our approach of identifying and scaling new service offerings enables us to quickly evaluate and change our service offerings to meet current market demands. Our people are skilled in three enduring competencies — strategy, technology and program management — that are independent of particular economic, business and technology cycles.

      Continuous Innovation. We believe that an enduring, high-quality consulting firm must have three basic qualities: employ highly talented people, maintain a track record of successful work, and have the ability to continuously generate new and relevant intellectual capital. While a number of consulting firms have talented people and strong client track records, the ability to continuously generate new intellectual capital is somewhat more elusive. DiamondCluster has put into place a systematic way to continuously stay ahead of the intellectual capital curve in order to deliver the most advanced thinking to its clients.

      Foster A Strong Culture. The most important asset of a consulting firm is its people. We have developed a strong and enduring culture by recruiting primarily from leading graduate and undergraduate universities, and have developed an environment of continuous learning and innovation that helps to retain our talented professionals (see “Employees and Culture”). We are committed to the long-term growth and development of each of our professionals.

      Experienced and Motivated Management. Our global management team has an average of more than 20 years of experience. They have experience managing consulting businesses through business, economic and technology cycles, and have strong skills in establishing and developing client relationships.

Our Growth Strategy

      Our goal is to become the consultant of choice for clients looking for an objective partner to help them understand and leverage technology to reduce costs, incorporate flexibility into their businesses, address changing regulations and markets, improve operations, and grow their businesses. Our business model is designed to allow us to be an objective and trusted advisor who provides the highest value of services to our

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clients from strategy through implementation. We believe our business model provides our company with a fundamental differentiation because it requires a collaborative approach with the client, utilizes multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best solution, and effectively leverages the ongoing stream of new intellectual capital into our organization. The following strategies guide our actions as we grow our business:

      Attract and Retain Skilled Personnel. Our continued success and growth will require us to expand our base of highly skilled professionals. This emphasis on human resources begins with our recruitment of client-serving professionals from leading graduate and undergraduate universities, as well as from industry and from other consulting firms. It continues through the process of training, developing and promoting promising professionals within DiamondCluster and culminates in the sharing of equity in DiamondCluster as an acknowledgment of merit, a means of retention and an alignment of interests.

      Cultivate Our Multidisciplinary Culture. In order to maintain a differentiated service offering, we seek to develop and sustain a business culture that is common across all disciplines in the organization. We seek to promote our culture by exposing our professionals to all of the various services that we provide through training and practice, while further developing skills in each professional’s principal area of expertise.

      Focus on, and Expand Relationships with Core Clients. We develop strong, long-term relationships with our clients that often lead to repeat business and referrals. We achieve this by doing very high-impact work and cultivating close relationships with CEOs and senior leadership teams to facilitate the transition. The access, contact and goodwill generated through our existing client relationships afford us opportunities to provide additional services and solutions.

      Nurture and Promote Our Intellectual Capital. We utilize our accumulated knowledge and experience to provide relevant intellectual capital to a given project and to develop innovative solutions for our clients. We continuously seek to identify, disseminate and incorporate new intellectual capital throughout our organization to keep abreast of business and technology trends, while creating repeatable frameworks that can be used to implement solutions more effectively and efficiently. Internal and external experts, as well as industry practitioners including the DiamondCluster Fellows (see “Business Development — Capture Phase”), provide intellectual capital to the Company.

      Continue to Diversify Across Geographies and Industries. We believe that diversifying our business across various geographies and industries will allow the company to have steady growth through economic, business and technology cycles. We currently serve clients across the globe through nine offices in North America, Europe and Latin America. We serve clients in five key industries: financial services, insurance, telecommunications, healthcare, and the public sector. We believe that our vertical market focus provides a scalable structure for growth. We expect the number of vertical markets we serve, as well as the services we offer and geographies in which we work, to change and grow as our expertise and market demands evolve.

      Market Our Brand. We intend to continue to invest in the development and maintenance of our brand identity in the markets we serve. We will continue to promote our name and credentials through publications, seminars, speaking engagements, media and analyst relations, and other efforts. We believe that building a brand image facilitates both the lead generation process and the ability to attract and retain the best people by raising awareness of our firm, resulting in an increase in the number of new clients and recruitment opportunities.

      Enhance Our Operating Efficiency. We have a continuous focus on cost effectiveness and efficiency. We are committed to taking advantage of technology in the areas of human resources, training, recruiting, marketing, and financial and operations management.

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Our Services

      DiamondCluster provides services that help leading organizations worldwide understand and leverage technology to reduce costs, incorporate flexibility into their businesses, address changing regulations and markets, improve operations, and grow their businesses. We offer clients the range of services of a traditional information technology service provider, with the objective, advisory role of the traditional strategic consulting firms. We operate globally with offices in North America, Europe and Latin America. We sell our services to “c-level” executives and their senior leadership teams.

      We have a business model that we believe is preferred by clients, and a process for creating and quickly bringing to market new service offerings. Our business model is collaborative and multidisciplinary, providing better value to clients through knowledge transfer and better solutions through our unique perspective that contemplates strategy and technology in tandem. We believe this approach creates the most lasting and powerful improvements for our clients.

      We have a process for creating new service offerings that identifies and tests market opportunities, refines the service offering, then scales the service offering to bring it to market. We are able to do this by maintaining our consultants’ core skills in strategy, technology and program management, which enables us to be more agile because we are not dependent upon a particular economic, business or technology cycle.

 
Service Offerings

      We offer services to help leading organizations worldwide to understand and leverage technology to realize value in their businesses. We deliver our services through small teams with consultants skilled in strategy, technology and program management. Generally, our services are designed to help companies reduce costs, incorporate flexibility into their businesses, address changing regulations and markets, improve operations, and grow their businesses.

      We go to market by vertical industry and focus on industries that are strategically dependent on technology. While our core skill competencies do not change significantly over time, our service lines and service offerings are designed to quickly adapt to client and market needs. By continuously leveraging research from our target markets, we continuously examine and monitor our business and combine our core skills into relevant service offerings.

      We deliver both vertical industry-specific services, as well as broader based horizontal services that apply across many industries. Our vertical services are designed to address the most pressing industry-specific issues involving technology that are facing executives in our targeted industries. While the skills required to deliver these services may be the same for each vertical (i.e., strategy, technology and program management), deep knowledge of the industry is also required. Our horizontal services, which also address executives’ most pressing issues involving technology, require similar skills across industries and tend to have more repeatable

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processes that can be leveraged across a number of different clients. Below is a representative list of current vertical (industry-specific) and horizontal (cross-industry) services:

LOGO

     Vertical Industries Served

      We currently serve clients in five vertical industries: financial services, insurance, telecommunications, healthcare, and the public sector. The company also has an incubator industry it calls “Enterprise” that encompasses clients in industries outside of those formally served.

      Financial Services Practice. Our financial services industry practice provides services to capital markets firms, retail brokerages, credit card issuers, credit card processors and payment system operators, and full-service retail and commercial banks. We help these financial services clients with the issues they face today, including the need to manage large technology and business transformations, improve productivity through strategic sourcing, prepare for Basel II implementation, grow revenues by developing enterprise-wide payment strategies and multi-channel integration strategies, and assess various leading technologies. Representative clients in the financial services industry have included: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; KeyBank National Association; MasterCard International, LLC; and Visa International Service Association. During fiscal year 2004, financial services clients represented 30% of net revenues.

      Insurance Practice. Our insurance practice provides services to property and casualty insurance (personal and commercial lines), life insurance, and reinsurance providers. We help our insurance clients to create and implement business-aligned technology strategies to drive higher performance, optimize data and information systems to speed decision making, reduce costs, support product development, increase revenue by leveraging technology to improve channel management, and design and execute market-differentiation customer service strategies, Representative clients in the insurance industry have included: Allstate Insurance Company; Standard Insurance Company; and Royal Group, Inc. During fiscal year 2004, insurance clients represented 17% of net revenues.

      Telecommunications Practice. Our telecommunications industry practice provides services to operators, vendors and content providers in the equipment, wireless, cable and fixed line markets. We assist our telecommunications clients with business and marketing strategy, customer behavior insight, profit improvement, wireless and broadband strategy and execution, wireless bid and launch, convergence, and IT assessment and strategy issues. Representative telecommunications clients have included: Belgacom Mobile N.V./ S.A.; Deutsche Telekom, AG; France Telecom, SA; Orange France, SA; Sprint PCS; and Telefónica Móviles SA. During fiscal year 2004, telecommunications clients represented 32% of net revenues.

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      Healthcare Practice. Our healthcare industry practice provides services to large healthcare payers, providers, medical equipment manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies. We help our healthcare clients address some of their most important business issues including medical and administrative costs reduction, post-merger integration, value extraction, and legacy system rationalization. Representative healthcare clients have included: Aetna Life Insurance Company; Connecticut General Life Insurance Company; Excellus Health Plan, Inc.; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc. During fiscal year 2004, healthcare clients represented 8% of net revenues.

      Public Sector Practice. The public sector practice provides services to U.S. local, state and federal governments. Issues facing this sector today include management and accountability of technology spending, demand for agencies to become more citizen-centric by minimizing complexity and improving responsiveness, and homeland security. Representative clients in the public sector have included: Chicago Transit Authority and The Regents of the University of California. We first began offering services to the public sector in North America during fiscal year 2002. During fiscal year 2004, public sector clients represented 3% of net revenues.

      Enterprise. The Enterprise practice, a North American practice, is a cross-industry practice. It’s role is to identify, incubate and scale new vertical practices. The Enterprise practice currently focuses on marketing and customer-facing operations for its clients. The Enterprise practice, previously called the retail and distribution industry practice, have included clients such as: American Greetings Corporation; Fisher Scientific International; Deere & Company; and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. During fiscal year 2004, the Enterprise practice clients represented 10% of net revenues.

Business Development

      We primarily sell our services to “c-level” executives of national and multinational businesses. Our fees our sourced from both operating budgets as well as information technology budgets within our clients’ organizations. Our partners (the term “partner” is an internal designation only and does not refer to a partner of a general or limited partnership; all partners are vice presidents of the Company) are assigned to a vertical practice (see “Our Services: Vertical Industries Served”). Each vertical industry practice maintains a list of target prospects and a senior partner is assigned revenue and profit contribution responsibility for each practice.

      Our business development process is designed to efficiently attract the Company’s best prospects, leverage the firm’s strong track record of project successes and references, and then hold them in a long-term, value-added relationship. Across the various phases of the business development process, programs are designed to build brand recognition, create and provide for the placement of new intellectual capital, promote industry practices, and develop and deepen client relationships in a focused manner. The process has four stages — Attract, Capture, Convert and Retain — each with different objectives and programs within each stage specifically designed to support these objectives.

LOGO

     Attract Phase

      Programs within the Attract phase of our business development pipeline are designed to create awareness of DiamondCluster and its capabilities. There are a number of programs within the Attract phase including: media relations, speeches, books, published viewpoints, surveys, and an Internet website for the Company. These programs are built around specific intellectual capital within our target industries, and are very focused on executives within our target clients and prospects.

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      Books, surveys and published viewpoints provide intellectual capital for our business development programs. Books published by employees or Fellows in the past include: Unleashing the Killer App: Digital Strategies for Market Dominance, The Seven Steps to Nirvana: Strategic Insights into eBusiness Transformation, and E-Learning: Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the Digital Age. Recent surveys conducted by the Company, or in conjunction with an academic institution, include: “The 2004 Global IT Outsourcing Study,” “IT Portfolio Management: Challenges and Best Practices,” “The 2002 Global IT Outsourcing Study.” Recently published viewpoints produced by the Company include: “Telecom: Turnaround Program For Fixed Operators”, “The Seven Deadly Sins of Customer Value Management,” “Voice Pricing in a 3G World”, “Enterprise Portals: Building Value Through Organizational Knowledge,” and “Unified Communications: The Time Is Now.”

     Capture Phase

      Capture programs are designed to create a relationship with interested executives, while continuing to showcase the Company’s capabilities. We build relationships directly through our partners, as well as collaboratively with our DiamondCluster Fellows and Client Relationship Executives (see below).

      Exchange. The Exchange is a series of executive learning forums that we launched in February 1997. CEOs and other senior executives within our target vertical industries are invited to participate in the Exchange. We provide our paid subscription members with innovative, leading-edge research to explore and understand the strategic risks and opportunities of emerging technologies. Exchange members meet three times a year to discuss current issues and research findings, and their business implications. During these meetings, we provide the members with the opportunity to discuss their issues with DiamondCluster Fellows, our partners and other business leaders. In fiscal year 2004, we conducted three Exchange programs, entitled: “The Global Marketplace for Knowhow”, The No-Nonsense Guide to Technology Management”, and “Seven Strategies to Manage Customer Migration”.

      Industry Meetings. From time to time, the firm will host small groups of senior-level clients and prospects to explore topical industry issues that leverage the firm’s service offerings. These settings provide a very focused and personal setting to build relationships and showcase our knowledge.

      Client Relationship Executives. Client Relationship Executives, or CRE’s, provide an alternative sales channel for DiamondCluster. Our CREs are comprised of retired executives, executives-in-transition and professional sales executives. The program leverages these executives’ senior-level contacts within our targeted vertical industries. The program is also designed to enhance brand awareness of our capabilities among industry sector senior executives. CRE’s do not directly sell DiamondCluster services, but facilitate introductions to industry buyers of consulting services. Our CRE’s have non-exclusive contracts with the firm and are paid on commission-only basis. At March 31, 2004, DiamondCluster had 39 CRE’s globally, the majority of which are former CEO’s, COO’s and CFO’s.

      DiamondCluster Fellows. The DiamondCluster Fellows are a group currently comprised of 12 recognized business and technology leaders associated with DiamondCluster. DiamondCluster Fellows provide us with a set of skills that augment and enhance the value that we can provide to our clients. DiamondCluster Fellows provide a source of intellectual capital, introduce us to prospective clients, author and contribute to industry publications, serve as faculty to the Exchange, and participate in client projects. DiamondCluster Fellows are contractually committed to dedicate a certain number of days annually to DiamondCluster to support marketing, sales, and client work. DiamondCluster Fellows are compensated with a combination of equity and per diem payments for services provided to us, or to our clients, on our behalf.

      As of March 31, 2004, DiamondCluster Fellows include:

        Vincent Barabba is the recently retired General Manager of Corporate Strategy and Knowledge Development of the General Motors Corporation. Mr. Barabba twice served as Director of the United States Bureau of the Census. He has served as U.S. Representative to the Population Commission of the United Nations. Mr. Barabba is the author of Meeting of the Minds, and co-author of Hearing the Voice of the Market and Decision Making Amid Turbulence, the Story of the 1980 Census.

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        John Perry Barlow is a writer and lecturer on the social, legal and economic issues arising on the border between the physical and virtual worlds. He is a contributing writer for Wired magazine and co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an organization that promotes freedom of expression in digital media.
 
        Gordon Bell is a Senior Researcher with Microsoft Corporation and computer consultant-at-large. Mr. Bell spent 23 years at Digital Equipment Corp. as Vice President of Research and Development where he managed the development of the first time-sharing and mini-computers. He also led the development of Digital Equipment’s VAX. Additionally, Mr. Bell directed the National Science Foundation’s efforts in computing research.
 
        Dan Bricklin is Chief Technology Officer of Interland, Inc. the largest Web hosting and online services company dedicated to helping small and medium businesses achieve success by providing the knowledge, services and tools to build, manage and promote businesses. Mr. Bricklin is best known for co-developing VisiCalc, the first electronic spreadsheet, while he was a student at the Harvard Business School. VisiCalc is widely credited for fueling the rapid growth of the personal computer industry.
 
        George Day is a Geoffrey T. Boisi Professor, Professor of Marketing, and Director of the Mack Center for the Management of Technological Innovation at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Day was previously the Executive Director of the Marketing Science Institute and has authored 14 books and 125 articles in the areas of marketing, strategy development, organization change, and competitive strategies. His most recent books are Wharton on Managing Emerging Technologies (John Wiley & Sons, 2000) and The Market-Driven Organization (Free Press, 1999).
 
        Steve Hindman is Founder and Principal of SPHindman, LLC, a consulting firm. He has spent the past three decades devising strategies for start-up business, companies in difficult business situations, and those that need significant improvement in sales and profit growth. Previously he led the turnaround of a software start-up, launched his own software company, and worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Co., a general manager in Boise Cascade’s housing division, and as a president of a small manufacturing concern.
 
        Andrew Lippman, Ph.D. is an Associate Director and founding member of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Lippman is the principal investigator of the Digital Life research program, a consortium of 45 companies and 15 faculties that researches the technical, social, and economic aspects of computing in everyday life. He has published widely and made over 100 presentations on digital entertainment, personal communications, and making the information highway entertaining and profitable.
 
        Chunka Mui is a writer and consultant on business issues at the intersection of strategy and technology. Mr. Mui also chairs DiamondCluster’s Diamond Fellows advisory group. Mr. Mui is perhaps best known as the co-author of the best selling Unleashing the Killer App, which the New York Times called a “practical and persuasive guide” to the dramatic changes being wrought by technology. Mr. Mui was a Partner with DiamondCluster from 1996 to 2003.
 
        B. Joseph Pine II is co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP. Mr. Pine is co-author of The Experience Economy: Work is Theatre and Every Business a Stage (Harvard Business School Press, 1999). His earlier publication, Mass Customization: The New Frontier in Business Competition (Harvard Business School Press, 1993), received the 1995 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Research.
 
        David P. Reed, Ph.D. is an information architect and independent entrepreneur who focuses on designing the information space in which people, groups and organizations operate. He was a senior scientist at Interval Research Corp., Vice President and Chief Scientist for Lotus Development Corp., and Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Scientist at Software Arts Inc.
 
        James Spira is former President and Chief Operating Officer of American Greetings Corporation. He co-founded Cleveland Consulting Associates in 1974 (which was acquired by Computer Science

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  Corp. in 1989) after spending several years with Ernst & Young and A.T. Kearney. Jim was a Partner with DiamondCluster from 1995 to 1999.
 
        Marvin Zonis, Ph.D. is a Professor of International Political Economy and Leadership at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He is an expert and consultant on political risk and emerging markets, Mideast politics, the oil industry, and the foreign policies of Russia and the United States.

 
Convert Phase

      Programs within this phase are designed to convert target prospects into client relationships. The programs in the Convert phase support our partners during the process of identifying and discussing potential engagements, negotiating the terms of engagements, and directing the staffing and execution of consulting projects.

      DiamondCluster Knowledge Center. The DiamondCluster Knowledge Center provides project teams with access to both internal and external research and expertise on a variety of industry, technology, economic and business topics on a global basis. The Knowledge Center is also responsible for converting existing project work into repeatable frameworks that can be leveraged for future projects.

      Intellectual Capital Alliances. In an increasingly complex business environment, intellectual capital alliances are essential to delivering high-impact, innovative technology solutions. Our Intellectual Capital Alliance program is designed to provide DiamondCluster’s professionals and clients with early access to market-leading hardware and software, as well as to provide specialized services and training. DiamondCluster builds strong relationships with selected companies to build its intellectual capital and deliver the best solutions for its clients with lower implementation risk and accelerated speed-to-market.

      Our Intellectual Capital Alliance program has two components — Strategic Alliances and Network Alliances. Strategic Alliance companies work with us to develop industry points-of-view and white papers, co-sponsor conferences, develop unified professional development programs and pursue joint business opportunities. Network alliances are designed to address solutions that are currently relevant to our clients by supplying best of breed technologies and services.

      All of our intellectual capital alliances are non-exclusive agreements designed to deliver benefits to both organizations through knowledge sharing and joint marketing. DiamondCluster does not recognize revenue for work performed by any alliance company, and there are no fees associated with joining the Intellectual Capital Alliance program.

      Key Network Alliance companies include Embarcadero, Enamics, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Oracle, and Softwired. As of March 31, 2004, there were three companies in our Strategic Alliance program:

     
Strategic Alliance Company Description


IBM
  IBM strives to lead in the creation, development and manufacture of the industry’s most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics.
Microsoft
  Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing.
Sun Microsystems
  Sun Microsystems is a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet.

      Center for Technology Innovation. The Center for Technology Innovation, based in Chicago, serves as the proving ground for our ideas. DiamondCluster professionals work with our Fellows and other knowledge leaders to support and enable inventive client work, and build our intellectual capital around emerging technologies. A series of technology frameworks and tools are developed and maintained at the Center for Technology Innovation. These tools are designed to accelerate the delivery of solutions through proven

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processes, reusable templates, guides, and technical papers. Our various strategic alliance companies provide the hardware and software in the Center for Technology Innovation.

     Retain Phase

      Programs in the Retain phase are designed to help our partners maintain ongoing relationships and offer former clients ongoing value while allowing the Company to identify opportunities for additional work.

      Exchange. A proactive effort is made to ensure that clients that are not in an active consulting engagement continue to participate in the Exchange, ensuring that the Company keeps them in a value-added relationship.

      Ongoing Communications. Past clients are kept on a list to receive relevant intellectual capital from the Company, including survey results, viewpoints, and reprints of relevant articles.

Employees and Culture

      Employees. As of March 31, 2004, we had 652 employees. Of these employees, 481 were client-serving professionals and 171 were management and administrative personnel comprising intellectual capital development, marketing, human resources, finance, accounting, legal, internal information systems, and administrative support. The responsibilities of our partners include client relationship development, business development, client management, program management, thought leadership, professional staff development, and mentoring. Our partners typically have ten to twenty years or more of experience.

      Culture. We believe our ability to provide effective multidisciplinary teams is dependent upon our ability to develop and sustain a business culture that is common across all disciplines and vertical industries in the organization. DiamondCluster’s employees are talented and energetic professionals that come from a multitude of professional backgrounds. DiamondCluster believes that this fosters an exciting and diverse work environment. Three primary elements comprise our culture:

  —  an environment that intellectually challenges our personnel through continuous training and innovative and high-impact client work;
 
  —  consistent compensation and career paths across all disciplines and skill sets within DiamondCluster; and
 
  —  participation by all of our employees in our continuing development and ownership of DiamondCluster.

      Recruiting. We believe our long-term success will depend on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate highly skilled employees. We attribute our success in hiring these people to our ability to provide individuals with high impact client opportunities, multidisciplinary training and career development, attractive long-term career advancement opportunities, small teams and a collaborative approach to consulting, and competitive compensation.

      Although a number of our current employees were hired directly from other firms, our long-term strategy is to hire professionals annually from the leading undergraduate and graduate business and technology programs at reputable universities. Over time, we expect senior-level positions will be predominantly filled from internal promotions.

      Training and Professional Development. Our training and professional development programs help us to deliver high-quality services to our clients, as well as to attract and retain highly skilled professionals. We have developed programs that ensure all individuals have the opportunity to develop consulting, business and technology skills throughout their careers. Leveraging our innovation programs, our professional development programs reinforce our culture by exposing all professionals to the various services we provide while further developing deep skills in each professional’s principal area of expertise.

      Compensation. Our compensation programs have been structured to attract and retain highly skilled professionals by offering competitive base salaries coupled with annual cash bonus and equity-based incentive

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opportunities. We use equity-based instruments at all levels within DiamondCluster to provide long-term wealth creation opportunities and to retain individuals through multi-year, long-term vesting provisions. We believe that offering equity-based compensation packages will be more successful in attracting and retaining talented individuals.

      Our partners are eligible to receive an annual bonus comprised of cash and equity commensurate with their level of responsibility and based on our overall performance. Our partners are granted equity upon being elected a partner. Equity that we issue to partners typically vests ratably over five years. Individuals below the partner level are awarded annual bonuses comprised of cash and equity based on their performance and the Company’s overall performance. Our non-partners are granted equity at the time of hire, which typically vests ratably over four years.

Competition

      We operate in a competitive and rapidly changing global market and compete with a variety of organizations that offer services similar to those that we offer. Our clients generally retain us on a non-exclusive basis. We compete with a number of different types of businesses, including:

      Traditional management and strategy consulting firms that focus on advising managements on high-level corporate strategy. Many of the traditional strategic consulting firms have recently added services in information technology.

      Systems integration and IT consulting firms that design and implement technology solutions, including software installation, for departments and enterprises. These firms have recently grown in size and scope of services.

      Information technology product and service vendors that offer technical consulting to support their own products. Many of these firms have also developed various alliances with systems integration and IT consulting firms to augment their own capabilities.

      In addition, we also compete with the internal strategy or technology departments of a client, as they may choose to conduct the work internally.

      Many of our competitors are substantially larger than us and have significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources, greater name recognition and greater revenues. Furthermore, we face the challenge of competing for and retaining the best personnel available in the business services market. Mergers or consolidations in our market may create new, larger or better-capitalized competitors with enhanced abilities to attract and retain professionals.

      We believe that the principal criteria considered by prospective clients when selecting a consulting firm include skills and capabilities of consultants, scope of services, service model approach, global presence, technical and industry expertise, reputation and quality of past work, perceived value and a results orientation.

      We believe we are well positioned against these competitors. Furthermore, we believe the current structural changes in the consulting industry (see “Industry Background and Opportunity”) increases the value to senior management of an objective advisor with deep expertise in strategy, operations and technology, including implementation.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

      At present, our executive officers are as follows:

             
Name Age Position



Melvyn E. Bergstein
    62     Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Karl E. Bupp
    42     Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Adam J. Gutstein
    41     President, Managing Director — Europe and Latin America, and Director
William R. McClayton
    59     Chief Administrative Officer
Jay D. Norman
    47     Managing Director — North America
John J. Sviokla
    46     Vice Chairman and Director

      Melvyn E. Bergstein co-founded Diamond Technology Partners, Inc. (“Diamond”) in January 1994 and has served as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since that time. Mr. Bergstein has been a member of our board of directors since January 1994. Prior to co-founding Diamond, Mr. Bergstein held several senior executive positions with Technology Solutions Company from 1991 to 1993. Prior to that time, Mr. Bergstein held several senior positions with other consulting firms, including twenty-one years in various positions with Andersen Consulting, now Accenture.

      Karl E. Bupp co-founded Diamond and joined us in April 1994 as Vice President of Financial Planning responsible for our internal planning, analysis and treasury functions. Since July 1998, Mr. Bupp has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Bupp was the Corporate Controller, and Director of Planning and Treasury Services for Technology Solutions Company. From 1985 to 1993, he held various financial management and analyst positions with MCI Telecommunications Corporation.

      Adam J. Gutstein co-founded Diamond in January 1994 and became President in June 2004. He has served as director of the Company since August of 1999. From July 1998 to April 2000, Mr. Gutstein served as Chief Operating Officer responsible for the client-serving operations including sales and delivery of our services, revenue and profit contribution. From May 2000 through October 2000, Mr. Gutstein led our corporate development efforts resulting in the successful acquisition of Cluster Consulting in late 2000. From November 2000 through July 2003, Mr. Gutstein assumed the title of President, North America, and in July 2003 became Managing Director of Europe and Latin America. Prior to joining us, Mr. Gutstein was a Vice President at Technology Solutions Company and a Manager with Andersen Consulting, now Accenture.

      William R. McClayton joined the Company in April 2001 as a Partner and Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration responsible for finance, planning, legal, human resources, investor relations, information technology, marketing and facilities worldwide. Prior to joining DiamondCluster, Mr. McClayton was a partner of Arthur Andersen LLP. During his 35-year career at Arthur Andersen, Mr. McClayton served public and privately held audit clients, and led the firm’s Chicago-based global financial markets practice for ten years.

      Jay D. Norman joined the Company in January 2003 as Partner responsible for the financial services and insurance practice area. In June 2004, he became Managing Director of North America, responsible for responsible for the sales and delivery of our North American services, revenue and profit contribution. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Norman was a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, leading their financial services global e-business practice. His experience also includes positions with McKinsey and Company, Inc. and Accenture.

      John J. Sviokla joined the Company in September 1998 as a Partner and Vice President and became a member of our board of directors in August 1999. Since April 1, 2000, Dr. Sviokla has served as Vice Chairman. Prior to joining us, Dr. Sviokla was a professor at the Harvard Business School from October 1986 to August 1998. His pioneering work on Marketspace established Harvard’s first course on electronic commerce, and he co-authored the seminal articles Managing in the Marketspace and Exploiting the Virtual Value Chain, both appearing in the Harvard Business Review. Dr. Sviokla has authored over 90 articles and

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cases, has edited books, and has been a consultant to large and small companies around the world. He has been a guest professor at many universities including Kellogg, MIT, The London Business School, the Melbourne Business School and the Hong Kong Institute of Science and Technology.
 
Item 2. Properties

      Our international headquarters and principal administrative, information systems, financial, accounting, marketing, legal and human resources operations are located in leased office space in Chicago, Illinois.

      European and Latin American operations are based in leased offices in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Düsseldorf and Münich, Germany; Lisbon, Portugal; London, UK; Paris, France; and São Paulo, Brazil.

 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings

      We are not party to any claims or actions that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

      No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

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PART II

 
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

      The Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “DTPI.” The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low intraday sales prices for our Common Stock.

                   
Sales Price Per
Share

High Low


Fiscal year ended March 31, 2003:
               
 
First Quarter
  $ 13.65     $ 4.66  
 
Second Quarter
    5.97       2.01  
 
Third Quarter
    3.84       2.25  
 
Fourth Quarter
  $ 3.40     $ 1.40  
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2004:
               
 
First Quarter
  $ 3.89     $ 1.38  
 
Second Quarter
    7.38       3.50  
 
Third Quarter
    10.46       6.56  
 
Fourth Quarter
  $ 12.00     $ 7.98  

      On June 1, 2004, the closing price of Common Stock was $9.63 per share. At such date, we had approximately 7,000 holders of record of Common Stock.

      Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefore, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding Preferred Stock, if any. To date, we have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not expect to declare or pay any cash or other dividends in the foreseeable future. Our financing arrangements currently do not prohibit us from declaring or paying dividends or making other distributions on the Common Stock.

      The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to six million shares of DiamondCluster’s Common Stock as part of an existing stock repurchase program, with one million shares authorized on October 16, 1998, two million shares authorized on March 1, 2001, and three million shares authorized on June 24, 2002 for repurchase. During the fourth quarter of 2004, we repurchased 0.4 million shares of the Company’s Common Stock at an average price per share of $10.32 in the following months:

                                 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Total Number of Shares Maximum Number of Shares
Total Number Average Price Purchased as Part of That May Yet be Purchased
Period of Shares Purchased Paid per Share Publicly Announced Plans Under the Plan





January 1, 2004 — January 31, 2004
          $—             2,076,526  
February 1, 2004 — February 29, 2004
    362,500     $ 10.39       362,500       1,714,026  
March 1, 2004 — March 31, 2004
    50,000     $ 9.80       50,000       1,664,026  

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Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data

      The selected consolidated financial data presented below has been derived from our consolidated financial statements. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

                                             
Year Ended March 31,

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004





(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Statement of Operations Data(1):
                                       
Revenue:
                                       
 
Revenue before out-of-pocket expense reimbursements (net revenue)
  $ 139,627     $ 266,536     $ 181,215     $ 132,974     $ 154,785  
 
Out-of-pocket expense reimbursements
    28,379       40,864       21,745       19,331       22,329  
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
Total revenue
    168,006       307,400       202,960       152,305       177,114  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Operating expenses:
                                       
 
Project personnel and related expenses before out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses
    75,747       141,980       132,627       109,085       102,429  
 
Out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses
    28,379       40,864       21,745       19,331       22,329  
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
Total project personnel and related expenses
    104,126       182,844       154,372       128,416       124,758  
 
Professional development and recruiting
    13,199       26,673       10,834       4,134       4,288  
 
Marketing and sales
    7,325       13,431       7,136       3,865       2,836  
 
Management and administrative support
    18,260       41,989       46,794       37,363       34,359  
 
Goodwill amortization
    493       21,928       61,850              
 
Noncash compensation
          18,187       52,305       53,078       12,692  
 
Restructuring charges
                15,542       29,266       3,975  
 
Impairment charge on long lived assets
                      94,315        
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
Total operating expenses
    143,403       305,052       348,833       350,437       182,908  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Income (loss) from operations
    24,603       2,348       (145,873 )     (198,132 )     (5,794 )
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
Interest income, net
    2,002       11,999       4,138       2,586       1,062  
 
Other expense
          (8,714 )     (2,985 )     (2,442 )     (25 )
   
   
   
   
   
 
   
Total other income, net
    2,002       3,285       1,153       144       1,037  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Income (loss) before taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    26,605       5,633       (144,720 )     (197,988 )     (4,757 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    10,377       18,500       (11,048 )     21,209       654  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    16,228       (12,867 )     (133,672 )     (219,197 )     (5,411 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax benefit
                      (140,864 )      
   
   
   
   
   
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 16,228     $ (12,867 )   $ (133,672 )   $ (360,061 )   $ (5,411 )
   
   
   
   
   
 
Basic net income (loss) per share of common stock(2),(3)
  $ 0.78     $ (0.49 )   $ (4.34 )   $ (11.41 )   $ (0.17 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock(2),(3)
  $ 0.62     $ (0.49 )   $ (4.34 )   $ (11.41 )   $ (0.17 )
Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share of common stock(2)
    20,807       26,448       30,813       31,548       32,710  
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share of common stock(2)
    25,984       26,448       30,813       31,548       32,710  

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March 31,

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004





(Dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 182,945     $ 151,358     $ 96,773     $ 75,328     $ 81,304  
 
Working capital
    183,967       132,501       103,564       67,326       79,585  
 
Total assets
    249,410       522,256       401,176       109,491       122,667  
 
Long-term debt, including current portion
    1,000       500                    
 
Total stockholders’ equity(4)
  $ 218,318     $ 452,367     $ 375,098     $ 72,377     $ 80,787  


(1)  On April 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and ceased amortizing goodwill. During the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, our operating results included $61.9 million, $21.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of goodwill amortization. In addition, certain amounts in previously issued financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no effect on the reported net income (loss).
 
(2)  See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for an explanation of the methods used to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share data.
 
(3)  In fiscal year 2003, the basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock included a net loss of $(4.47) per share due to the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.
 
(4)  We have never declared or paid cash dividends.

 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

      The following information should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report.

Overview

      We are a premier global management consulting firm. We help leading organizations worldwide to understand and leverage technology to reduce costs, incorporate flexibility into their businesses, address changing regulations and markets, improve operations, and grow their business. We work collaboratively with our clients, utilizing small, multidisciplinary teams of consultants because we believe the most lasting and significant improvements occur when the client is integrally involved in the change. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 we generated net revenue (before reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses) of $154.8 million from 110 clients. At March 31, 2004, we employed 481 consultants and had nine offices in North America, Europe and Latin America, which included Barcelona, Chicago, Düsseldorf, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Münich, Paris, and São Paulo.

      Our revenue is driven by our ability to secure new client engagements, maintain existing client engagements and develop and implement solutions that add value to our clients. Our revenue is comprised of professional fees for services rendered to our clients plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Prior to the commencement of a client engagement, we and our client agree on fees for services based upon the scope of the project, our staffing requirements and the level of client involvement. We recognize revenue as services are performed in accordance with the terms of the client engagement agreement. We bill our clients for these services on either a monthly or semi-monthly basis in accordance with the terms of the client engagement. Accordingly, we recognize amounts due from our clients as the related services are rendered and revenue is earned even though we may not be able to bill for those services until a later date. Provisions are made based on our experience for estimated uncollectible amounts. These provisions, net of write-offs of accounts receivable, are reflected in the allowance for doubtful accounts. We also set aside a portion of the revenue from each client engagement to cover the estimated costs that are likely to be incurred subsequent to targeted project completion. This portion of the project revenue is reflected in deferred revenue and is calculated based on our historical experience. While we have been required to make revisions to our clients’ estimated

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deliverables and to incur additional project costs in some instances, to date there have been no such revisions that have had a material adverse effect on our operating results.

      We generate revenue in many different countries throughout the world and our revenues are denominated in multiple currencies, including the U.S. dollar, the euro, the British pound sterling and the Brazilian real. As such, our revenues and expenses may be significantly impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The strengthening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar over the last several quarters has had a favorable foreign currency translation impact on our consolidated financial statements and increased our revenues. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, our net revenue was $154.8 million, an increase of $21.8 million, or 16.4%, compared with the same period in the prior year. Assuming constant foreign currency translation rates, net revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 would have increased $12.4 million or 9%.

      Our ability to generate revenue is affected by the level of business activity of our clients, which in turn is affected by the level of economic activity in the industries and markets that they serve. A decline in the level of business activity of our clients could have a material adverse effect on our revenue and profit margin. During the two year period ending in late fiscal 2003, our business had been negatively impacted by weakened economic conditions, which had caused some clients to reduce or defer their expenditures for consulting services. We have implemented and will continue to implement cost-savings initiatives to manage our expenses as a percentage of revenue as appropriate.

      The largest portion of our operating expenses consists of project personnel and related expenses. Project personnel expenses consist of payroll costs, variable compensation, and related benefits associated with professional staff. Other related expenses include travel, subcontracting, third-party vendor payments and non-billable costs associated with the delivery of services to our clients. We consider the relationship between project personnel expenses and net revenue to be an important measure of our operating performance. The relationship between project personnel expenses and net revenue is driven largely by the chargeability of our consultant base, the prices we charge to our clients and the non-billable costs associated with securing new client engagements and developing new service offerings. The remainder of our recurring operating expenses are comprised of expenses associated with the development of our business and the support of our client-serving professionals, such as professional development and recruiting, marketing and sales, and management and administrative support. Professional development and recruiting expenses consist primarily of recruiting and training content development and delivery costs. Marketing and sales expenses consist primarily of the costs associated with the development and maintenance of our marketing materials and programs. Management and administrative support expenses consist primarily of the costs associated with operations including finance, information systems, human resources, facilities (including the rent of office space), and other administrative support for project personnel. As with revenues, the strengthening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar over the last several quarters has increased our expenses. The increase of both revenues and expenses created as a result of foreign currency translation results in an immaterial impact on net income.

      We regularly review our fees for services, professional compensation and overhead costs to ensure that our services and compensation are competitive within the industry, and that our overhead costs are balanced with our revenue level. In addition, we monitor the progress of client projects with client senior management. We manage the activities of our professionals by closely monitoring engagement schedules and staffing requirements for new engagements. However, a rapid decline in the demand for the professional services that we provide could result in lower utilization of our professionals than we planned. In addition, because most of our client engagements are terminable by our clients without penalty, an unanticipated termination of a client project could require us to maintain underutilized employees. While professional staff levels must be adjusted to reflect active engagements, we must also maintain a sufficient number of senior professionals to oversee existing client engagements and participate in our sales efforts to secure new client assignments.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

      This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act relating to our operations, results of

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operations and other matters that are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in these forward-looking statements. The reasons for this include changes in general economic and political conditions, including fluctuations in exchange rates, and the following factors:

  •  Our results of operations are materially affected by economic conditions, levels of business activity and rates of change in the industries we serve.
 
  •  Our profitability will suffer if we are not able to maintain our pricing and utilization rates and control our costs. A continuation of pricing pressures could result in permanent changes in pricing policies and delivery capabilities.
 
  •  If we are unable to attract, retain and motivate employees, we will not be able to compete effectively and will not be able to grow our business.
 
  •  We may face damage to our professional reputation or legal liability if our clients are not satisfied with our services.
 
  •  Our global operations pose complex management, foreign currency, legal, tax and economic risks, which we may not adequately address.
 
  •  Our engagements with clients may not be profitable.
 
  •  Our business will be negatively affected if we are not able to anticipate and keep pace with rapid changes in technology or if growth in the use of technology in business is not as rapid as in the past.
 
  •  The consulting and technology markets are highly competitive. As a result, we may not be able to compete effectively if we cannot efficiently respond to market developments in a timely manner.
 
  •  Our quarterly revenues, operating results and profitability will vary from quarter to quarter, which may result in increased volatility of our share price.

      For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see Exhibit 99.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

      We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

 
Revenue Recognition

      We earn revenues from a range of consulting services, including helping organizations worldwide to leverage technology to develop and implement growth strategies, improve operations, and capitalize on technology. Our revenues are comprised of professional fees for services rendered to our clients plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. Prior to the commencement of a client engagement, we and our client agree on fees for services based upon the scope of the project, our staffing requirements and the level of client involvement. We recognize revenue as services are performed in accordance with the terms of the client engagement.

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      Service revenue recognition inherently involves a degree of estimation. Examples of important estimates in this area include determining the level of effort required to execute the project, calculating costs incurred and assessing our progress toward project completion on an ongoing basis. We believe that these are critical accounting estimates because they can materially affect our revenues and earnings and require us to make judgments about matters that are uncertain. We utilize a number of management processes to monitor project performance and revenue recognition including monthly reviews of the progress of each project against plan, staff and resource usage, service quality and client feedback. From time to time, as part of our normal management process, circumstances are identified that require us to revise our estimates of the revenues to be realized on a project. In most cases, these revisions relate to changes in the scope of the project, and do not significantly impact the expected fees on a contract. To the extent that a revised estimate affects revenue previously recognized, we record the full effect of the revision in the period when the underlying facts become known.

 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Deferred Revenue

      We earn our revenues by providing consulting services to clients. We bill our clients for these services on either a monthly or semi-monthly basis in accordance with the terms of the client engagement. Accordingly, we recognize amounts due from our clients as the related services are rendered and revenue is earned even though we may not be able to bill for those services until a later date. The terms of our client engagements also require us to assume the risk of non-collection of amounts billed to clients.

      Management makes estimates of the amount of our billed and unbilled accounts receivable that may not be collected from clients. We believe the allowance for doubtful accounts is a critical accounting estimate because it can materially affect our operating results and requires us to make judgments about matters that are uncertain. In making these estimates, management specifically analyzes individual client balances, the composition of the aging of accounts receivable, historical bad debts, customer credit-worthiness and current economic trends, and considers our overall experience with estimating uncollectible amounts. We recognize the effect of changes in our estimates, assumptions and assessments of the factors impacting the collectibility of amounts due from customers on an ongoing basis. As of March 31, 2004, our accounts receivable balance was $23.2 million, including unbilled accounts receivable of $1.6 million, and net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.7 million. Unbilled receivables represent revenues earned for services performed that have not been billed. Unbilled receivables are typically billed the following month.

      Although we and our clients agree on the scope of projects, expected deliverables and related fees in advance, from time to time we have made revisions to the scope of work and deliverables without making a corresponding adjustment to the fees for the project. We refer to this as “project run-on” as these revisions generally cause a project to extend beyond its targeted completion. We monitor our actual project run-on experience on an ongoing basis and perform monthly reviews of projects in progress against plan. We provide for project run-on costs based on our analysis of historical experience. These provisions, net of actual costs incurred on completed projects, are reflected in deferred revenue. As of March 31, 2004, our deferred revenue balance was $1.4 million. Also included in the deferred revenue balance are $0.4 million of prepaid client fees related to consulting services that the Company expects to earn in subsequent periods. While we have been required to make revisions to our clients’ estimated deliverables and to incur additional project costs in some instances, to date there have been no such revisions that have had a material adverse effect on our operating results.

 
Operating Expenses

      The largest portion of our operating expenses consists of project personnel and related expenses. Project personnel expenses consist of payroll costs and related benefits associated with professional staff. Other related expenses include travel, subcontracting, third-party vendor payments and unbillable costs associated with the delivery of services to our clients. The amount of these other direct costs can vary substantially from period to period depending largely on revenue. However, project personnel and related expenses are relatively fixed in nature, and declines in revenue will often result in reduced utilization of professional personnel and lower operating margins.

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      The remainder of our recurring operating expenses are comprised of expenses associated with the development of our business and the support of our client-serving professionals, such as professional development and recruiting, marketing and sales, and management and administrative support. Professional development and recruiting expenses consist primarily of recruiting and training content development and delivery costs. Marketing and sales expenses consist primarily of the costs associated with the development and maintenance of our marketing materials and programs. Management and administrative support expenses consist primarily of the costs associated with operations, finance, information systems, facilities, including the rent of office space, and other administrative support for project personnel.

      In December 2001, September 2002, December 2002 and June 2003 we recorded restructuring charges related to specific actions we took to better align our cost infrastructure with our near term revenue expectations. For the December 2001, September 2002 and December 2002 restructuring charges, we estimated these costs based upon our restructuring plans and accounted for these plans in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs incurred in a Restructuring).” For the June 2003 restructuring charge, we estimated these costs based upon our restructuring plan and accounted for this plan in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” The restructuring charges and accruals required certain significant estimates of costs related to severance and other personnel-related expenses, as well as costs related to reductions in office space and estimated sublease income to be realized in the future, the write-off of associated leasehold improvements, and the establishment of accruals for other contractual commitments which are not expected to provide future benefit. These estimates and assumptions are monitored on at least a quarterly basis for changes in circumstances. Although we do not expect there to be significant changes to our plans, it is reasonably possible that such estimates could change in the near term due to unanticipated events, resulting in adjustments to the amounts recorded, and the effect could be material. Such revisions will be reflected in the financial statements in the period they occur.

 
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

      On April 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” With the adoption of SFAS No. 142, goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets (“intangibles”) are no longer subject to amortization, rather, they are subject to an assessment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred, but at least annually, by applying a fair value based test. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill impairment is assessed at the reporting unit level, using a discounted cash flow method. Prior to April 1, 2002, the Company amortized goodwill and identifiable intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives not to exceed 40 years, and periodically reviewed the recoverability of these assets based on the expected future undiscounted cash flows.

      Our goodwill was recognized in connection with acquisitions we made in fiscal 2000 and 2001. The majority of our goodwill related to our acquisition of Cluster Telecom BV, a pan-European consulting firm specializing in wireless technology and digital strategies, which occurred in November 2000.

      Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its net book value (or carrying amount), including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had

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been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit.

      Determining the fair value of a reporting unit under the first step of the goodwill impairment test and determining the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit (including unrecognized intangible assets) under the second step of the goodwill impairment test requires our management to make significant judgments, assumptions and estimates. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and also the magnitude of any such charge. To assist in the process of determining goodwill impairment, the Company obtains appraisals from independent valuation firms. In addition to the use of independent valuation firms, the Company performs internal valuation analyses and considers other market information that is publicly available. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows. This approach requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows and perpetual growth rate, among others.

      During the first quarter of fiscal 2003, we completed our initial impairment review following the guidance in SFAS No. 142 and recorded a $140.9 million non-cash pretax charge for the impairment of goodwill, all of which was generated in the acquisition of Cluster Telecom BV. The charge reflected overall market declines since the acquisition was completed in November 2000, was non-operational in nature and is reflected as a cumulative effect of an accounting change in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

      During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, we performed the required annual impairment review for goodwill and recorded an additional non-cash charge of $94.3 million, which was recorded as a component of operating income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. This impairment charge was recognized to reduce the carrying value of goodwill at our Europe and Latin America reporting unit ($84.3 million) and our North American reporting unit ($10.0 million). These charges reflect the units’ lower than expected performance, including the continued decline in the consulting market, and lower valuations in the consulting industry primarily due to current market conditions and related competitive pressures. The impairment charges are non-cash in nature and do not affect the Company’s liquidity. As a result of the charges recognized during the year ended March 31, 2003, the carrying value of our goodwill was reduced to zero at March 31, 2003 and remained zero at March 31, 2004.

 
Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets

      In determining our current income tax provision we assess temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets. When we maintain deferred tax assets we must assess the likelihood that these assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent we believe recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance. We record an allowance to reduce the net deferred tax asset to a value we believe will be recoverable by future taxable income. We believe the accounting estimate related to the valuation allowance is a critical accounting estimate because it is highly susceptible to change from period to period as it requires management to make assumptions about the Company’s future income over the life of the deferred tax asset, and the impact of increasing or decreasing the valuation allowance is potentially material to our results of operations. Management’s assumptions about future income require significant judgment because actual income has fluctuated in the past and may continue to do so.

      In estimating future income, we use our internal operating budgets and long-range planning projections. We develop our budgets and long-range projections based on recent results, trends, economic and industry forecasts influencing our performance, our project pipeline, and other appropriate factors.

      As of March 31, 2004, we had a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets of $67.0 million. If the realization of deferred tax assets in the future is considered more likely than not, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period or periods such determination was made.

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Results of Operations

      The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected statements of operations data as a percentage of net revenues:

                             
Year Ended March 31,

2002 2003 2004



Revenue:
                       
 
Revenue before out-of-pocket-expense reimbursements (net revenue)
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
Out-of-pocket expense reimbursements
    12.0       14.5       14.4  
   
   
   
 
   
Total revenue
    112.0       114.5       114.4  
Operating Expenses:
                       
 
Project personnel and related expenses before out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses
    73.2       82.0       66.2  
 
Out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses
    12.0       14.5       14.4  
   
   
   
 
   
Total project personnel and related expenses
    85.2       96.5       80.6  
 
Professional development and recruiting
    6.0       3.1       2.8  
 
Marketing and sales
    3.9       2.9       1.8  
 
Management and administrative support
    25.8       28.1       22.2  
 
Goodwill amortization
    34.1              
 
Noncash compensation
    28.9       39.9       8.2  
 
Restructuring charges
    8.6       22.0       2.6  
 
Impairment charge on long lived assets
          71.0        
   
   
   
 
   
Total operating expenses
    192.5       263.5       118.2  
   
   
   
 
Income (loss) from operations
    (80.5 )     (149.0 )     (3.8 )
Other income, net
    0.6       0.1       0.7  
   
   
   
 
Income (loss) before taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (79.9 )     (148.9 )     (3.1 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (6.1 )     16.0       0.4  
   
   
   
 
Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (73.8 )     (164.9 )     (3.5 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of income tax benefit
          (105.9 )      
   
   
   
 
Net loss
    (73.8 )%     (270.8 )%     (3.5 )%
   
   
   
 

Revenue

      During the two year period ending in late fiscal year 2003, our Company had been negatively affected by the weakened economic conditions in the geographic regions we serve. This resulted in a decrease in demand for our services as companies tempered their spending on consulting services. The weakened economic conditions led to pricing pressures, a lengthening of the Company’s sales cycle and reductions and/or deferrals of client expenditures for consulting services. However, over the last year the environment for our services has markedly improved. On a global basis, revenue before out-of-pocket expense reimbursements increased to $154.8 million during fiscal 2004 as compared to $133.0 million during fiscal 2003. Total revenue, including out-of-pocket expense reimbursements, increased 16.3% to $177.1 million for fiscal 2004 compared with $152.3 million reported for fiscal 2003. Our annualized revenue per professional increased to $320 thousand during fiscal 2004 compared to $194 thousand in fiscal 2003 due to revenue growth and headcount reduction. We served 110 clients during fiscal 2004 as compared to 142 clients during fiscal 2003. Revenue from new clients accounted for 17% of revenue during fiscal 2004, compared to 22% during fiscal 2003. The term “new

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clients” is defined as clients that generated revenue in the current period but were absent from the prior period.

      During fiscal 2003, revenue before out-of-pocket expense reimbursements decreased to $133.0 million as compared to $181.2 million during fiscal 2002. Total revenue, including out-of-pocket expense reimbursements, decreased 25.0% to $152.3 million for fiscal 2003 compared with $203.0 million reported for fiscal 2002. The decline in revenue in fiscal 2003 was principally attributed to the weakness in the global economy, resulting in a decline in the demand for the Company’s services. We increased our annualized revenue per professional during fiscal 2003 to $194 thousand compared to $173 thousand in fiscal 2002 as a result of personnel reduction. Clients served in fiscal 2003 declined to 142 as compared to 156 clients served in fiscal 2002. Revenue from new clients accounted for 22% of revenue for fiscal 2003, compared to 17% for fiscal 2002.

Operating Expenses

 
Project Personnel and Related Expenses

      Project personnel and related expenses before out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses decreased $6.7 million, or 6.1%, to $102.4 million during fiscal 2004 as compared to $109.1 million during fiscal 2003. The decrease in project personnel and related expenses reflects savings resulting from cost-reduction programs implemented throughout fiscal years 2003 and 2004. During fiscal 2003 and 2004 we reduced client-serving professionals as part of the Company’s restructuring plans. We reduced our client-serving professional staff from 538 at March 31, 2003 to 481 at March 31, 2004. As a percentage of net revenue, project personnel and related expenses before out-of-pocket expense reimbursements decreased from 82.0% during fiscal 2003 to 66.2% during fiscal 2004. Project personnel and related expenses including out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses decreased $3.7 million to $124.8 million during fiscal 2004 as compared with fiscal 2003. Our global utilization increased from 55% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003 to 66% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, within our target range of 65% to 70%. Annualized voluntary attrition remained flat in fiscal year 2004 compared to fiscal year 2003 at 16%.

      During fiscal 2003, project personnel and related expenses before out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses decreased $23.5 million, or 17.7%, to $109.1 million as compared to $132.6 million reported for fiscal 2002. The decrease in project personnel and related expenses reflects savings resulting from cost reduction programs implemented during the third quarter of fiscal 2002 and throughout fiscal 2003. During the quarters ended December 31, 2001, September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2002, we reduced personnel as part of the Company’s restructuring plans. Overall, we reduced our client-serving professional staff 36% from 843 at March 31, 2002 to 538 at March 31, 2003. As a percentage of net revenue, project personnel and related expenses before out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses increased from 73.2% in fiscal 2002 to 82.0% during fiscal 2003, due primarily to a decline in revenue and lower utilization of personnel. Project personnel and related expenses including out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses decreased $26.0 million to $128.4 million during fiscal 2003 as compared with fiscal 2002.

 
Professional Development and Recruiting

      Professional development and recruiting expenses increased $0.2 million to $4.3 million during fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003. The increase is primarily due to the relaunch of hiring initiatives and increases in our level of training conduct expenditures towards the end of fiscal year 2004.

      During fiscal 2003, professional development and recruiting expenses decreased $6.7 million to $4.1 million as compared to fiscal 2002. This decrease primarily reflected decreases in our level of recruiting personnel and activities, and decreased training conduct expenditures.

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Marketing and Sales

      Marketing and sales expenses decreased $1.0 million to $2.8 million during fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003. The decrease was the result of reduced marketing activities including the discontinuation of Context magazine, the magazine we published from November 1997 until December 2002.

      During fiscal 2003, marketing and sales expenses decreased $3.3 million to $3.9 million as compared to fiscal 2002 as a result of decreased marketing activities including the discontinuance of the publication of the Context magazine.

 
Management and Administrative Support

      Management and administrative support expenses decreased 8.0% to $34.4 million or 22.2% of net revenue during fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal year 2003. Management and administrative support expenses include the rent expense associated with our nine offices located in North America, Europe and Latin America. The decreases in management and administrative support expense is principally a result of our cost reduction programs implemented in fiscal years 2003 and 2004, including the closing of the Boston, New York, and San Francisco offices and the downsizing of certain offices globally.

      During fiscal 2003, management and administrative support expenses decreased 20.1% to $37.4 million or 28.1% of net revenue as compared to fiscal 2002 principally as a result of our cost reduction programs, including the closing of the New York office and the downsizing of other offices globally.

 
Goodwill

      Goodwill amortization decreased $61.9 million to zero during fiscal 2003 as compared to fiscal 2002 as a result of the Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 142 on April 1, 2002. As a percentage of net revenues, these expenses decreased from 34.1% to zero. Goodwill amortization remained at zero during fiscal 2004.

 
Noncash Compensation

      Noncash compensation decreased from $53.1 million or 39.9% of net revenue during fiscal 2003 to $12.7 million or 8.2% of net revenue during fiscal 2004. Noncash compensation expense had been primarily due to the amortization of unearned compensation resulting from the issuance of stock and stock options at prices below fair market value to Cluster employees in connection with the Cluster acquisition. Effective April 1, 2003, noncash compensation also includes amortization of the fair value of employee stock awards granted or modified after April 1, 2003 calculated under the fair value method of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation.” In both cases, stock-based compensation is earned over the service period and is contingent on the continued employment of these employees. The decrease in noncash compensation is primarily due to stock option cancellations as a result of forfeitures from terminated employees. Reversal of amortization for previously recognized expense for forfeitures increased $9.3 million in fiscal 2004 compared with fiscal 2003. In addition, $9.8 million less expense was recorded in fiscal 2004 than fiscal 2003 due to cancelled options, and $12.8 million less amortization was recorded in fiscal 2004 than fiscal 2003 due to only a partial year of amortization remaining on some restricted shares. Finally, the decrease in noncash compensation is also attributable to the non-recurring nature of the $8.6 million of expense recognized during fiscal 2003 consisting of the remaining unamortized original intrinsic value of certain non-vested stock options cancelled by the Company on May 14, 2002, pursuant to an offer to employees (other than senior officers) to surrender certain stock options previously granted to them in exchange for a future grant of new options to purchase the same class of shares.

      During fiscal 2003, noncash compensation increased to $53.1 million or 39.9% of net revenue from $52.3 million or 28.9% of net revenue during fiscal 2002. Noncash compensation expense in fiscal 2003 is primarily due to the amortization of unearned compensation resulting from the issuance of stock options at prices below fair market value to Cluster employees in connection with the Cluster acquisition. The unearned compensation will be earned over time contingent on the continued employment of these employees. The increase in noncash compensation expense is due to the recognition of $8.6 million of additional expense

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related to the remaining unamortized original intrinsic value of certain non-vested stock options cancelled by the Company.
 
Restructuring Charges

      Restructuring charge expense was $4.0 million during fiscal 2004 compared to $29.3 million during fiscal 2003. During fiscal 2003, restructuring charge expense increased to $29.3 million from $15.5 million during fiscal year 2002. During fiscal years 2002, 2003 and early 2004, our Company suffered from a decrease in global demand as we saw clients decrease their spending on consulting services. As a result, management implemented plans to restructure the Company’s operating infrastructure to better align it with the anticipated levels of business during those times and beyond. We recorded four separate restructuring charges during fiscal years 2002, 2003, and 2004. The primary actions underlying these restructuring charges included facilities downsizing, workforce reduction, and fixed asset write-offs. We expected annualized savings from these charges to be a combined $56 million to $62 million. Refer to the notes to consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the activities surrounding each of these restructuring charges.

 
Impairment Charge on Long-Lived Assets

      During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company conducted its annual assessment of the carrying value of goodwill. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $94.3 million to write-down the carrying value of goodwill to zero. This impairment charge was recognized to reduce the carrying value of goodwill at our Europe and Latin America reporting unit ($84.3 million) and our North American reporting unit ($10.0 million). These charges reflect the units’ lower than expected performance, including the continued decline in the consulting market, and lower valuations in the consulting industry primarily due to current market conditions and related competitive pressures. The impairment charges are noncash in nature and do not affect the Company’s liquidity. As of March 31, 2003 and 2004, the carrying amount of goodwill was zero.

Other Income (Expense)

      Other income, net increased $0.9 million from $0.1 million in fiscal 2003 to $1.0 million during fiscal 2004. This increase is primarily due to increased foreign exchange gains recorded in fiscal year 2004 partially offset by a decrease in interest income as well as the write-down of fixed assets in connection with the downsizing of certain European offices.

      During fiscal 2003, other income, net decreased $1.1 million to $0.1 million from $1.2 million in fiscal 2002, primarily due to a decrease in interest yields and cash balances throughout fiscal year 2003 resulting in a decrease in interest income of $1.5 million, which was partially offset by foreign exchange gains.

Income Tax Expense

      Income tax expense decreased from $21.2 million during fiscal 2003 to $0.7 million during fiscal 2004. The income tax expense recorded in fiscal year 2004 was related to the income earned by certain foreign subsidiaries in jurisdictions where we do not have tax loss carryforwards. The income tax expense recorded in fiscal year 2003 was principally related to the $46.0 million increase in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets recognized by the Company. We have deferred tax assets which have arisen primarily as a result of operating losses incurred in fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003, as well as differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their related amounts in the financial statements. SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” requires the establishment of a valuation allowance to reflect the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets. Management judgment is required in determining any valuation allowance recorded against the gross deferred tax assets. As of March 31, 2004, the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $67.0 million and covered the full amount of our net federal, state and international deferred tax assets.

      Income tax expense increased from an income tax benefit of $11.0 million during fiscal 2002 to an income tax expense of $21.2 million during fiscal 2003 due principally to a non-cash charge of $46.0 million to increase the valuation allowance against the net federal, state and international deferred tax assets. As of

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March 31, 2003, the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was $50.2 million and covered the full amount of our net federal, state and international deferred tax assets.

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

      During the quarter ended June 30, 2002, we completed our initial impairment review in accordance with SFAS No. 142 and recorded a $140.9 million non-cash pretax charge for the impairment of goodwill, all of which was generated in the acquisition of Cluster Telecom BV. The charge reflected overall market declines since the acquisition was completed in November 2000, and is reflected as the cumulative effect of an accounting change in the consolidated financial statements for 2003.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

      The following table describes our liquidity and financial position on March 31, 2003 and 2004:

                 
March 31,

2003 2004


(In millions)
Working capital
  $ 67.3     $ 79.6  
Cash and cash equivalents
    75.3       81.3  
Unutilized bank credit facilities
    9.1       9.2  
Stockholders’ equity
  $ 72.4     $ 80.8  

      We maintain a revolving line of credit pursuant to the terms of a secured credit agreement with a commercial bank under which we may borrow up to $10.0 million at an annual interest rate based on the prime rate or based on LIBOR plus 1.50%, at our discretion. The line of credit is secured by cash and certain accounts receivable of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary DiamondCluster International North America, Inc. This line of credit is reduced, as necessary, to account for letters of credit outstanding. As of March 31, 2004, there were no outstanding borrowings and we had approximately $9.2 million available under this line of credit.

 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities

      During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, net cash provided by operating activities was $7.8 million. This primarily resulted from the following activities:

  •  The net loss was $5.4 million.
 
  •  The net loss includes noncash charges aggregating $22.1 million that must be excluded to arrive at cash flows from operating activities. The principal noncash charges are stock-based compensation ($12.7 million), the restructuring charges ($4.0 million), and depreciation and amortization ($4.7 million).
 
  •  Cash outflows to reduce the restructuring accrual aggregated $8.8 million, including payments under contractual lease obligations and severance and related costs.
 
  •  Changes in assets and liabilities that result from operating activities are also considered in arriving at cash flows from operations. Cash flows from operating activities was reduced by $0.1 million as a result of increases in accounts receivable ($5.0 million) and prepaid expenses and other ($3.9 million), offset by the accrual of performance bonuses to be paid in early fiscal year 2005 ($5.5 million), net of changes in accounts payable, deferred revenue, income taxes payable and other assets and liabilities of $3.3 million.

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      At March 31, 2004, we had the following contractual obligations (amounts in thousands):

                                           
Payments Due By Period

Less Than More Than
One Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years 5 Years Total





Operating leases
  $ 3,202     $ 6,533     $ 5,796     $ 7,017     $ 22,548  
Cash outlays for restructuring and other related activities(1)
    3,016       3,549       1,634       931       9,130  
Purchase obligations(2)
    1,701       87                   1,788  
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
Total
  $ 7,919     $ 10,169     $ 7,430     $ 7,948     $ 33,466  
   
   
   
   
   
 


(1)  Cash outlays for restructuring and other related activities include minimum future lease and related payments for excess facilities, net of estimated sublease income of $6.1 million under existing and expected sublease arrangements.
 
(2)  Purchase obligations represent minimum commitments due to third parties, including subcontractor agreements, IT maintenance contracts in support of internal use software and hardware, lease commitments on company automobiles and other marketing and consulting contracts. Contracts for which our commitment is variable based on volumes, with no fixed minimum quantities, and contracts that can be cancelled without payment penalties, have been excluded. Amounts presented also exclude accounts payable and accrued expenses at March 31, 2004.

      Our billings for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2004 totaled $52.0 million and $185.4 million, respectively, compared to $32.7 million and $161.8 million for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2003, respectively. These amounts include VAT (which are not included in recognized revenue) and billings to clients for reimbursable expenses. Our gross accounts receivable balance of $24.9 million at March 31, 2004 represented 43 days of billings for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. This compares to a gross receivable balance of $17.9 million at March 31, 2003 representing 49 days of billings for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.

 
Cash Flow from Investing Activities

      Cash used in investing activities was $0.1 million for fiscal year 2004. Cash used in investing activities resulted primarily from capital expenditures, partially offset by cash provided from other assets resulting from the collection of certain employee notes receivable.

 
Cash Flow from Financing Activities

      Cash used in financing activities was $2.6 million for fiscal 2004 resulting from the repurchase of DiamondCluster common stock in the amount of $9.2 million, offset by $6.6 million in proceeds from the issuance of common stock in connection with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and option exercises. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) has authorized the repurchase of the Company’s common stock through open market transactions. During fiscal 2004, we repurchased 0.9 million shares at an average price of $9.75. As of March 31, 2004 the number of shares available for repurchase under the Board authorization was 1.7 million. Through March 31, 2004, the number of shares purchased under this authorization was 4.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of $61.1 million. Following is a summary of the repurchase activity over the last three fiscal years (amounts in thousands except average price data):

                           
Repurchase of Common Stock

Shares Amount Average Price



2004
    944     $ 9,204     $ 9.75  
2003
    968       5,242       5.42  
2002
    408       5,934     $ 14.54  
   
   
       
 
Total
    2,320     $ 20,380          
   
   
       

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      On September 23, 2003, the Board of Directors and shareholders approved a plan of recapitalization, thereby converting all Class A and B Common Stock to a new class of capital stock called Common Stock, on a one-to-one basis. The total authorized number of shares of Common Stock is 300,000,000 shares. This plan of recapitalization was based on a detailed review of our system of corporate governance. The Board considered the effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the corporate governance standards being developed for listed companies by the NASDAQ National Market. After a thorough review, the Board concluded that a modification to the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and internal governance agreements should be made to assure continued independence of a majority of the Board and the proper functioning of the audit and other committees of the Board.

      Because each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock had five votes, the holders of the Class B Common Stock could significantly influence all matters brought to a vote of our stockholders. In addition, all of the holders of our Class B Common Stock had granted proxies to our Chief Executive Officer to vote their shares. Accordingly, the Chief Executive Officer had the right to vote 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock. Our Board of Directors had determined that it was no longer in our best interest for our Chief Executive Officer to have such voting control. The Board of Directors approved this plan of recapitalization in order to bring our system of corporate governance more in line with the governance of other public companies. Implementation of this plan eliminated the voting control then held by our Chief Executive Officer by reducing the number of votes for employee shares and eliminating the CEO proxy, although certain aspects of our internal governance procedures remain under the Partners’ Operating Agreement, as amended.

      On May 2, 2002, we offered employees (other than senior officers) a plan, approved by the Board of Directors, which gave employees a choice to surrender certain stock options previously granted to them in exchange for a future grant of a smaller number of new options to purchase the same class of shares, a majority of which would vest over a three-year period. The original options were granted under DiamondCluster’s 2000 Stock Option Plan and under DiamondCluster’s 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Employees who accepted this offer were required to make an election with respect to all covered options by May 14, 2002. In order to receive the new options, the employees were required to remain employed by DiamondCluster until November 15, 2002. The exchange offer was not available to the members of the Board of Directors or senior officers of DiamondCluster. A total of 4.3 million stock options were surrendered as part of this plan. Certain of these options had intrinsic value at the original grant date, the unvested portion of which had not been amortized to noncash compensation expense at the date surrendered. The voluntary surrender of these options resulted in a noncash charge to compensation expense of $8.6 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2002, relating to the remaining unamortized compensation expense associated with these surrendered options. On November 15, 2002, approximately 1.0 million new options were granted to employees who remained employed by DiamondCluster. The exercise price for a majority of the options granted on November 15, 2002 was $0.76, or 25% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on that date.

      On January 30, 2001, we offered our employees (other than senior officers) a plan, approved by the Board of Directors, which gave employees a choice to cancel certain stock options granted to them in exchange for a future grant of a lesser number of new options to purchase the same class of shares, a majority of which would vest proportionately over a four year period. The original options were granted under DiamondCluster’s 2000 Stock Option Plan and under DiamondCluster’s 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Employees who accepted the offer were required to make an election with respect to all covered options by February 8, 2001. In order to receive the new options, the employees were required to remain employed by DiamondCluster until August 9, 2001. The exchange offer was not available to the members of the Board of Directors or senior officers of DiamondCluster. A total of 2.3 million stock options were cancelled as part of this plan. On August 9, 2001, a total of 1.5 million of new options were granted as part of this plan, which represented between 75% and 100% of the original grant and had an exercise price that was set on the grant date. The exercise price for a majority of the options granted on August 9, 2001 was set at fair market value.

 
Summary

      We believe that our current cash balances, existing lines of credit, and cash flow from existing and future operations will be sufficient to fund our operating requirements at least through fiscal year 2006. If necessary,

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we believe that additional bank credit would be available to fund any additional operating and capital requirements. In addition, we could consider seeking additional public or private debt or equity financing to fund future growth opportunities. However, there is no assurance that such financing would be available to us on acceptable terms.
 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Sensitive Instruments.

Foreign Currency Risk

      International revenues are generated primarily from our services in the respective countries by our foreign subsidiaries and are typically denominated in the local currency of each country, most of which are the euro. These subsidiaries also incur most of their expenses in the local currency, most of which are the euro. Accordingly, all foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. Our international business is subject to risks typical of an international business, including, but not limited to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, differing tax structures, other regulations and restrictions and foreign exchange rate volatility. Our future results could be materially adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors.

      The financial statements of our non-U.S. businesses are typically denominated in the local currency of the foreign subsidiary in order to centralize foreign exchange risk with the parent company in the United States. As a result, we are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in consolidation. As exchange rates fluctuate, these results, when translated, may vary from expectations and adversely impact overall expected results and profitability.

      In the past, the Company has entered into transactions to reduce the effect of foreign exchange transaction gains and losses on recorded foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, and to reduce the effect of foreign exchange translation gains and losses on the parent company’s net investment in its foreign subsidiaries. These transactions involved the use of forward foreign exchange contracts in certain European currencies. As of March 31, 2004, there were no open forward foreign exchange contracts outstanding. A forward foreign exchange contract obligates the Company to exchange predetermined amounts of specified foreign currencies at specified exchange rates on specified dates or to make an equivalent U.S. dollar payment equal to the value of such exchange. As a result, increases or decreases in the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s foreign currency transactions and investments in foreign subsidiaries are partially offset by gains and losses on the forward contracts, so as to mitigate the possibility of significant foreign currency transaction and translation gains and losses. The Company does not use foreign currency contracts for trading purposes. The Company does not currently hedge anticipated foreign currency-denominated revenues and expenses. All foreign currency transactions and outstanding forward contracts are marked-to-market on a monthly basis.

      DiamondCluster has net investments in foreign operations located throughout Europe and Latin America. In some cases, the Company hedges its euro exposures through the use of euro/U.S. dollar forward contracts in order to mitigate the impact of foreign currency movements on the Company’s financial position. These contracts have been designated and have qualified as hedging instruments of the foreign currency exposure related to the Company’s net investment in its foreign operations. Accordingly, the net amount of gains or losses on these forward foreign exchange contracts offset losses and gains on the Company’s exposure to foreign currency movements related to its net investments in its foreign operations and are reflected in the cumulative translation adjustment account and included as a component of other comprehensive income. At March 31, 2002, the Company had one euro/U.S. dollar forward contract outstanding in the notional principal amount of EUR 62.8 million. On June 28, 2002, the Company settled its euro/U.S. dollar forward contract for EUR 62.8 million. As noted above, the Company entered into this contract to mitigate the effect of an adverse movement of foreign exchange rates. As a result of the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro in the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded a net loss on the forward exchange contract of $7.4 million in the cumulative translation adjustments account which was offset by the related gain on the net investment in the foreign operations during the period. During fiscal year 2004 and as of March 31, 2004, there were no open euro/U.S. dollar or other forward contracts outstanding.

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Interest Rate Risk

      The Company invests its cash in highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The interest rate risk associated with our investing activities at March 31, 2004 is not material in relation to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We have not used derivative financial instruments in fiscal year 2004 to alter the interest rate characteristics of our investment holdings.

 
Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

      The information required by this item is contained in the consolidated financial statements and schedules set forth in Item 14(a) under the captions “Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules” as a part of this report.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

      None.

 
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

      We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, which we have designed to ensure that material information related to the Company, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is properly identified and evaluated on a regular basis and disclosed in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. In response to recent legislation and proposed regulations, we reviewed our disclosure controls and procedures. We also established a disclosure committee which consists of certain members of our senior management. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and the Chief Financial Officer of DiamondCluster International, Inc. (its principal executive officer and principal financial officers, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluations as of the end of the period covered by this Report, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Controls and Procedures

      There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls, or in other factors that could significantly affect these internal controls, subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation.

PART III

      Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporates by reference portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year; provided that if such proxy statement is not filed with the Commission in such 120-day period, an amendment to this Form 10-K shall be filed no later than the end of the 120-day period.

 
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

      Information with respect to Directors of the Company will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Election of Directors,” which information is incorporated herein by reference, or in an amendment to this Form 10-K. Information regarding the executive officers of the Company is included in Part I of this Form 10-K as permitted by Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K. Information with respect to the members of the audit committee will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Audit Committee,” which information is incorporated herein by reference, or an amendment to this Form 10-K. Information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,” which information is incorporated herein by reference, or in an amendment to this Form 10-K.

      The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, its Board of Directors and vendors. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is supplemented by a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers setting forth additional requirements applicable only to the Company’s senior officers (together with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, the “Code”). A copy of the Code is filed as Exhibit 14 to this Annual Report of Form 10-K.

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Item 11. Executive Compensation

      Information with respect to executive compensation will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Compensation of Executive Officers,” which information is incorporated herein by reference (except for the Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation and the Performance Graph), or in an amendment to this Form 10-K.

 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

      The following table summarizes information about the Company’s equity incentive plans as of March 31, 2004 (share amounts in thousands):

                           
Number of
securities to be
issued upon Number of securities
exercise of remaining available for
outstanding future issuance under
options and Weighted-average equity compensation
vesting of exercise price of plans (excluding
restricted stock outstanding securities reflected in
Plan Category units options column (a))




(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    13,014     $ 11.30       21,995 (1)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2)
    147     $ 12.71       306  
   
         
 
 
Total
    13,161               22,301  
   
         
 


(1)  Includes 2,241,000 shares available for future issuance under the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
 
(2)  The Advisors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Advisors’ Plan”) relates to a maximum of 525,000 shares of Common Stock, which may be issued upon the exercise of stock options granted to outside advisors of the Company during the period February 26, 1997 through August 10, 1999. The terms of the Advisors’ Plan mirror the terms of the Company’s 1998 Equity Incentive Plan previously adopted by the shareholders in all material respects, except that (i) the maximum number of shares available for issuance under the Advisors’ Plan is 525,000 shares, and (ii) the eligible participants under the Advisors’ Plan are those outside consultants to the Company as the Plan Committee shall decide from time to time. The options issued under the Advisors’ Plan were granted at the fair market value on the grant date (calculated based on the average of the closing price on the Nasdaq Market System of the Common Stock for the ten trading days preceding the grant date). The options vest over periods ranging from 2 to 4 years after the date of grant, and expire on dates ranging from 5 to 8 years after the date of grant.

      Information with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock,” which information is incorporated herein by reference, or in an amendment to this Form 10-K.

 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

      Information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions will be set forth in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements included herein, and in the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference, or in an amendment to this Form 10-K.

 
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

      Information with respect to principal accountant fees and services will be set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and Services,” which information is incorporated herein by reference, or in an amendment to this Form 10-K.

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PART IV

 
Item 15. Exhibits, Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

      (a) Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules

        (1) The consolidated financial statements and schedule listed in the index on page F-1 are filed as part of this Form 10-K.

      All information for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission is either included in the consolidated financial statements or is not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

        (2) see (1) above
 
        (3) see (c) below

      (b) Reports on Form 8-K

        Form 8-K dated January 28, 2004

      (c) Exhibits

      The following is a list of exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K filed as part of this Form 10-K. Where so indicated by footnote, exhibits which were previously filed are incorporated by reference. For exhibits incorporated by reference, the location of the exhibit in the previous filing is indicated in parentheses.

         
Exhibit
Number Description


  3.1(a)     Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Company’s Form 8-A filed by the Company on October 21, 2003 (the “Form 8A”) and incorporated herein by reference).
  3.2     Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Form 8-A and incorporated herein by reference).
  10.1     Amended and Restated DiamondCluster International, Inc. 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Annex B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated July 11, 2001 (File No. 000-22125) and incorporated herein by reference).
  10.2     Form of Employment Agreement between each of the Named Officers and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-17785) and incorporated herein by reference).
  10.3*     North America and United Kingdom Partners’ Operating Agreement dated as of November 13, 2003 among the Company and the partners of the Company, including Addendum No. 1 dated January 29, 2004.
  14*     Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
  21*     Subsidiaries of the Registrant
  23*     Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
  24.1*     Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
  31.1*     CEO Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31.2*     CEO Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31.3*     Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.1*     CEO Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.2*     CFO Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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Exhibit
Number Description


  32.3*     Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  99.1*     Risk Factors.


Filed herewith

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SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

  By:  /s/ MELVYN E. BERGSTEIN

  Melvyn E. Bergstein
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Melvyn E. Bergstein and William R. McClayton, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

             
Signature Title Date



 
/s/ MELVYN E. BERGSTEIN

Melvyn E. Bergstein
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ KARL E. BUPP

Karl E. Bupp
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ ADAM J. GUTSTEIN

Adam J. Gutstein
  President, Managing Director — Europe and Latin America, and Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ JOHN J. SVIOKLA

John J. Sviokla
  Vice Chairman and Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ EDWARD R. ANDERSON

Edward R. Anderson
  Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ DONALD R. CALDWELL

Donald R. Caldwell
  Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ MARK L. GORDON

Mark L.Gordon
  Director     June 7, 2004  

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Signature Title Date



 
/s/ ALAN C. KAY

Alan C. Kay
  Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ MICHAEL E. MIKOLAJCZYK

Michael E. Mikolajczyk
  Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ JAVIER RUBIO

Javier Rubio
  Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ PAULINE A. SCHNEIDER

Pauline A. Schneider
  Director     June 7, 2004  
 
/s/ SAMUEL K. SKINNER

Samuel K. Skinner
  Director     June 7, 2004  

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

           
Page

Consolidated Financial Statements:
       
 
Independent Auditors’ Report
    F-2  
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2003 and 2004
    F-3  
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
    F-4  
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
    F-5  
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
    F-6  
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    F-7  
Supplemental Financial Schedules:
       
 
Independent Auditors’ Report
    S-1  
 
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
    S-2  

F-1


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

The Stockholders and Board of Directors

DiamondCluster International, Inc.:

      We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DiamondCluster International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 31, 2003 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2004. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

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

      In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of DiamondCluster International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2003 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

      As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for stock based compensation effective April 1, 2003, and its method of accounting for goodwill as of January 1, 2002.

  /s/ KPMG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 25, 2004

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2003 and 2004
                     
2003 2004


(In thousands,
except per share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 75,328     $ 81,304  
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,597 and $1,650 as of March 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively
    16,314       23,219  
 
Income taxes receivable
          569  
 
Prepaid expenses
    5,598       10,373  
   
   
 
Total current assets
    97,240       115,465  
Computers, equipment, leasehold improvements and software, net
    10,349       6,473  
Other assets
    1,902       729  
   
   
 
   
Total assets
  $ 109,491     $ 122,667  
   
   
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 4,193     $ 6,250  
 
Accrued compensation
          5,749  
 
Deferred revenue
    760       1,380  
 
Income taxes payable
    730        
 
Restructuring accrual, current portion
    7,134       3,528  
 
Other accrued liabilities
    17,097       18,973  
   
   
 
   
Total current liabilities
    29,914       35,880  
 
Restructuring accrual, less current portion
    7,200       6,000  
   
   
 
   
Total liabilities
    37,114       41,880  
   
   
 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, 2,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
           
 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 38,683 shares issued as of March 31, 2004
          39  
 
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 28,731 shares issued as of March 31, 2003
    29        
 
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 6,493 shares issued as of March 31, 2003
    6        
 
Additional paid-in capital
    644,302       624,682  
 
Unearned compensation
    (47,330 )     (6,324 )
 
Notes receivable from sale of common stock
    (71 )      
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,294       2,858  
 
Accumulated deficit
    (473,921 )     (479,332 )
   
   
 
      124,309       141,923  
Less: Common Stock in treasury, at cost, 3,392 shares held at March 31, 2003 and 4,336 shares held at March 31, 2004
    (51,932 )     (61,136 )
   
   
 
   
Total stockholders’ equity
    72,377       80,787  
   
   
 
   
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 109,491     $ 122,667  
   
   
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
                             
2002 2003 2004



(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenue:
                       
 
Revenue before out-of-pocket expense reimbursements (net revenue)
  $ 181,215     $ 132,974     $ 154,785  
 
Out-of-pocket expense reimbursements
    21,745       19,331       22,329  
   
   
   
 
   
Total revenue
    202,960       152,305       177,114  
Operating expenses:
                       
 
Project personnel and related expenses before out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses
    132,627       109,085       102,429  
 
Out-of-pocket reimbursable expenses
    21,745       19,331       22,329  
   
   
   
 
   
Total project personnel and related expenses
    154,372       128,416       124,758  
 
Professional development and recruiting
    10,834       4,134       4,288  
 
Marketing and sales
    7,136       3,865       2,836  
 
Management and administrative support
    46,794       37,363       34,359  
 
Goodwill amortization
    61,850              
 
Noncash compensation*
    52,305       53,078       12,692  
 
Restructuring charges
    15,542       29,266       3,975  
 
Impairment charge on long-lived assets
          94,315        
   
   
   
 
   
Total operating expenses
    348,833       350,437       182,908  
   
   
   
 
 
Loss from operations
    (145,873 )     (198,132 )     (5,794 )
 
Interest income
    4,164       2,635       1,130  
 
Interest expense
    (26 )     (49 )     (68 )
 
Other expense, net
    (2,985 )     (2,442 )     (25 )
   
   
   
 
   
Total other income, net
    1,153       144       1,037  
   
   
   
 
Loss before taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (144,720 )     (197,988 )     (4,757 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (11,048 )     21,209       654  
   
   
   
 
Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (133,672 )     (219,197 )     (5,411 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
          (140,864 )      
   
   
   
 
Net loss
    (133,672 )     (360,061 )     (5,411 )
 
Reclassification adjustment, net of income tax benefit of $232
    363              
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
    (1,924 )     4,104       1,127  
 
Unrealized gain on investment
                437  
   
   
   
 
Comprehensive loss
  $ (135,233 )   $ (355,957 )   $ (3,847 )
   
   
   
 
Basic and diluted loss per share of common stock:
                       
Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
  $ (4.34 )   $ (6.95 )   $ (0.17 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
          (4.47 )      
   
   
   
 
Net loss
  $ (4.34 )   $ (11.41 )   $ (0.17 )
   
   
   
 
Shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock
    30,813       31,548       32,710  
   
   
   
 
*Noncash compensation:
                       
 
Project personnel and related expenses
  $ 51,352     $ 51,953     $ 11,625  
 
Professional development and recruiting
    94       138       107  
 
Marketing and sales
    88       227       112  
 
Management and administrative support
    771       760       848  
   
   
   
 
   
Total noncash compensation
  $ 52,305     $ 53,078     $ 12,692  
   
   
   
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
                                                                                 
Notes Accumulated
Receivable Other
Class A Class B Additional from sale of Retained Comprehensive Total
Common Common Common Paid-In Unearned Common Earnings Treasury Income Stockholders’
Stock Stock Stock Capital Compensation Stock (Deficit) Stock (Loss) Equity










(In thousands)
Balance at March 31, 2001
  $ 24     $ 9     $     $ 652,234     $ (177,375 )   $ (332 )   $ 19,812     $ (40,756 )   $ (1,249 )   $ 452,367  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Issuance, forfeiture and cancellation of stock
          1             5,274       (4,707 )     59                         627  
Forfeiture and cancellation of stock options issued below market — net
                      (7,620 )     8,437                               817  
Noncash compensation
                            52,305                               52,305  
Exercise of stock options
          1             5,358                                     5,359  
Income tax benefit related to stock option exercises
                      1,456                                     1,456  
Purchase of treasury stock
                                              (5,934 )           (5,934 )
Conversion to Class A
    3       (4 )                                               (1 )
Repayment of notes
                                  193                         193  
Employee stock purchase plan
                      3,142                                     3,142  
Unrealized gain on securities
                                                    363       363  
Translation adjustment
                                                    (1,924 )     (1,924 )
Net loss
                                        (133,672 )                 (133,672 )
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2002
  $ 27     $ 7     $     $ 659,844     $ (121,340 )   $ (80 )   $ (113,860 )   $ (46,690 )   $ (2,810 )   $ 375,098  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Issuance, forfeiture and cancellation of stock
          1             751       352                               1,104  
Forfeiture and cancellation of stock options issued below market — net
                      (20,986 )     20,580                               (406 )
Noncash compensation
                            53,078                               53,078  
Exercise of stock options
                      2,343                                     2,343  
Income tax benefit related to stock option exercises
                      333                                     333  
Purchase of treasury stock
                                              (5,242 )           (5,242 )
Conversion to Class A
    2       (2 )                                                
Repayment of notes
                                  9                         9  
Employee stock purchase plan
                      2,017                                     2,017  
Translation adjustment
                                                    4,104       4,104  
Net loss
                                        (360,061 )                 (360,061 )
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2003
  $ 29     $ 6     $     $ 644,302     $ (47,330 )   $ (71 )   $ (473,921 )   $ (51,932 )   $ 1,294     $ 72,377  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Issuance, forfeiture and cancellation of stock
                3             70                               73  
Forfeiture and cancellation of stock options issued below market — net
                      (30,298 )     32,391                               2,093  
Noncash compensation
                      4,147       8,545                               12,692  
Exercise of stock options
                1       5,143                                     5,144  
Purchase of treasury stock
                                              (9,204 )           (9,204 )
Conversion to one class common stock
    (29 )     (6 )     35                                            
Repayment of notes
                                  71                         71  
Employee stock purchase plan
                      1,388                                     1,388  
Unrealized gain on investment
                                                    437       437  
Translation adjustment
                                                    1,127       1,127  
Net loss
                                        (5,411 )                 (5,411 )
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2004
  $     $     $ 39     $ 624,682     $ (6,324 )   $     $ (479,332 )   $ (61,136 )   $ 2,858     $ 80,787  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Fiscal Years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004
                               
2002 2003 2004



(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
 
Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
  $ (133,672 )   $ (219,197 )   $ (5,411 )
 
Adjustments to reconcile loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
   
Restructuring charges
    15,542       29,266       3,975  
   
Depreciation and amortization
    7,156       5,766       4,702  
   
Write-down of net book value of computers, equipment, leasehold improvements and software, net
          2,071       774  
   
Impairment charge on long-lived assets
          94,315        
   
Goodwill amortization
    61,850              
   
Noncash compensation
    52,305       53,078       12,692  
   
Deferred income taxes
    (10,475 )     22,536        
   
Tax benefits from employee stock plans
    1,456       333        
   
Write-down of equity investments
    4,577              
   
Other
    (1,846 )            
   
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisition:
                       
     
Accounts receivable
    10,369       8,205       (4,951 )
     
Prepaid expenses and other
    2,106       1,826       (3,929 )
     
Accounts payable
    (521 )     (2,433 )     1,085  
     
Accrued compensation
    (28,336 )           5,524  
     
Restructuring accrual
    (11,579 )     (18,895 )     (8,800 )
     
Deferred revenue
    (1,791 )     (306 )     634  
     
Income taxes payable
    (12,318 )     1,899       (1,279 )
     
Other assets and liabilities
    (837 )     (518 )     2,822  
   
   
   
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (46,014 )     (22,054 )     7,838  
   
   
   
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
 
Capital expenditures, net
    (6,817 )     (1,528 )     (935 )
 
Acquisition, net of cash acquired
    (1,781 )            
 
Other assets
    (2,205 )     872       843  
   
   
   
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (10,803 )     (656 )     (92 )
   
   
   
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
 
Repayment of note
    (500 )            
 
Common stock issued
    9,137       5,067       6,609  
 
Purchase of treasury stock
    (5,934 )     (5,242 )     (9,204 )
   
   
   
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    2,703       (175 )     (2,595 )
   
   
   
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (471 )     1,440       825  
   
   
   
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (54,585 )     (21,445 )     5,976  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    151,358       96,773       75,328  
   
   
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 96,773     $ 75,328     $ 81,304  
   
   
   
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
 
Cash paid during the year for interest
  $ 77     $ 221     $  
 
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
  $ 7,296     $ 3,006     $ 3,127  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation

      DiamondCluster International, Inc., including as the context requires, its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Diamond”) is a premier global management consulting firm that helps leading organizations worldwide to understand and leverage technology to reduce costs, incorporate flexibility into their businesses, address changing regulations and markets, improve operations, and grow their business. The Company works collaboratively with its clients, utilizing small, multidisciplinary teams of consultants because we believe the most lasting and significant improvements occur when the client is integrally involved in the change. As of March 31, 2004, the Company employed 481 client-serving professionals and had nine offices in North America, Europe and Latin America.

      The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Principles of Consolidation

      The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

     Foreign Currency Translation

      All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are deferred as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the results of operations.

     Revenue Recognition

      The Company earns revenues from a range of consulting services, including helping organizations worldwide to develop and implement growth strategies, improve operations, and capitalize on technology. Revenues are comprised of professional fees for services rendered to clients plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. The Company bills clients for services and expenses incurred either monthly or semi-monthly in accordance with the terms of the client engagement agreement. Prior to the commencement of a client engagement, the Company and the client agree on fees for services based upon the scope of the project, staffing requirements and the level of client involvement. The Company recognizes revenue as services are performed in accordance with the terms of the client engagement. Unbilled receivables represent revenues earned for services performed that have not been billed as of the balance sheet date.

     Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Deferred Revenue

      Management makes estimates of the amount of billed and unbilled accounts receivable that may not be collected from clients. In making these estimates, management specifically analyzes individual client balances, the composition of the aging of accounts receivable, historical bad debts, customer credit-worthiness and current economic trends, and considers the Company’s overall experience with estimating uncollectible amounts. As of March 31, 2004, the accounts receivable balance was $23.2 million, including unbilled accounts receivable of $1.6 million, and net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.7 million. Unbilled accounts receivable are typically billed the following month.

      Provisions are also made for estimated costs to be incurred subsequent to targeted project completion. These provisions are estimated based principally on historical experience and a review of projects in progress

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

and are reflected, net of actual costs incurred on completed projects, in deferred revenue. Although from time to time the Company has been required to make revisions to clients’ estimated deliverables, to date there have been no such revisions that have had a material effect on the Company’s operating results. The deferred revenue balance, measured based on the gross amount of services to be rendered subsequent to the targeted completion date, was $1.4 million as of March 31, 2004. Also included in the deferred revenue balance are $0.4 million of prepaid client fees related to consulting services that the Company expects to earn in subsequent periods.

     Unearned Compensation

      The Company has adopted various stock incentive and option plans that authorize the granting of qualified and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and stock awards, including restricted stock and restricted stock units, to officers and employees and non-qualified stock options, SARs and stock awards to certain persons who were not employees on the date of grant, including certain non-employee members of the Board of Directors.

      Unearned compensation represents certain stock-based compensation that has not yet been earned, and is reported within the stockholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet. Prior to April 1, 2003, the Company chose to account for stock-based compensation arising from fixed awards to officers and employees using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost of stock options (“noncash compensation”) was measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of the grant over the option’s exercise price, and was charged to operations over the vesting period, which generally ranged between two and five years. The Company applied SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” in accounting for stock issued to individuals or groups other than employees.

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      Effective April 1, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value-based recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 in accounting for stock awards to officers and employees. The Company elected the prospective method of transition as described in SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure,” which applies the recognition provisions to all employee awards granted, modified or settled on or after April 1, 2003, in accounting for employee stock-based compensation. Had compensation expense on options granted prior to April 1, 2003 been determined based on the fair value at the grant date consistent with the methodology prescribed under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income (loss) and basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per share would have been equal to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands):

                           
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2002 2003 2004



Net income (loss):
                       
 
As reported
  $ (133,672 )   $ (360,061 )   $ (5,411 )
 
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects
    52,305       53,843 (1)     12,777 (1)
 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (127,749 )     (62,870 )     (5,316 )
   
   
   
 
 
Pro forma
  $ (209,116 )   $ (369,088 )   $ 2,050  
   
   
   
 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
                       
 
As reported
  $ (4.34 )   $ (11.41 )   $ (0.17 )
 
Pro forma
  $ (6.79 )   $ (11.70 )   $ 0.06 (2)


(1)  In fiscal years 2003 and 2004, amount includes $0.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to restricted stock that was recorded as part of the restructuring charge expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
 
(2)  The pro forma basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is $0.06 per share for fiscal year 2004.

 
Cash and Cash Equivalents

      Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents consist of money market funds.

 
Long-Lived Assets

      Computers and equipment, leasehold improvements and software are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed by applying the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets, which range from eighteen months to five years for computers and equipment, the lesser of the lease term or the life of the asset (generally five years) for leasehold improvements and three to five years for software. Costs capitalized for internally developed software include external consulting fees and employee salaries. Related depreciation and amortization expense was $7.2 million, $5.8 million and $4.7 million for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 
Goodwill

      Goodwill resulting from business acquisitions represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Prior to April 1, 2002, goodwill was being amortized on a straight-line basis over useful

F-9


Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

lives ranging between 5 and 25 years. Accumulated amortization amounted to $22.4 million and $84.3 million as of March 31, 2001 and 2002, respectively. On April 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” With the adoption of SFAS No. 142, goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets (“intangibles”) are no longer subject to amortization, rather they are subject to an assessment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred, but at least annually, by applying a fair value based test. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill impairment is assessed at the reporting unit level, using a discounted cash flow method. The Company completed its initial impairment test on goodwill using the methodology described in SFAS No. 142 in the first quarter of fiscal 2003, and conducted an annual assessment of impairment based on fair value in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 142 during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003. In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on April 1, 2002, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $140.9 million as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. In connection with the annual assessment during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003, the Company recognized an additional impairment loss of $94.3 million. The carrying value of goodwill as of March 31, 2003 and 2004 was zero.

      The following table sets forth an analysis of the changes in the total carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002 and 2003 (in thousands). There was no related activity in fiscal year 2004.

         
Balance as of April 1, 2001
  $ 295,600  
Goodwill acquired during the year
    1,429  
Goodwill amortized during the year
    (61,850 )
   
 
Balance as of March 31, 2002
    235,179  
Goodwill amortized during the year
     
Impairment loss recognized during the year
    (235,179 )
   
 
Balance as of March 31, 2003
  $  
   
 

      The following table sets forth a reconciliation of reported net loss to adjusted net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002 assuming that the provision of SFAS No. 142 related to goodwill amortization had been applied in that year (in thousands):

         
Fiscal Year Ended
March 31, 2002

Reported net loss
  $ (133,672 )
Add back: Goodwill amortization
    61,850  
   
 
Adjusted net loss
  $ (71,822 )
   
 
Basic loss per share:
       
Reported net loss
  $ (4.34 )
Goodwill amortization
    2.01  
   
 
Adjusted net loss
  $ (2.33 )
   
 
Diluted loss per share:
       
Reported net loss
  $ (4.34 )
Goodwill amortization
    2.01  
   
 
Adjusted net loss
  $ (2.33 )
   
 

F-10


Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Accounting for Investment Interests

      In the past, the Company has obtained non-controlling equity ownership interests either for cash or as compensation for services performed. Such equity interests do not enable the Company to exercise significant influence over the investees and are accounted for under the cost method unless the securities have readily determinable fair values based on quoted market prices. Securities for which the fair market value is determinable are recorded under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” The Company classifies these securities as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and losses on these investments are reported in comprehensive income or loss as “unrealized gain (loss) on securities,” and accumulated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of any related tax effect. Declines in value that are judged to be other than temporary result in a reduction of the carrying amount of the investment to fair value and the recognition of an impairment charge in other income (expense). As of March 31, 2004, the carrying value of such investments was $0.4 million.

 
Other Comprehensive Income

      Other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of the related tax effect, and cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.

 
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

      The Company has adopted SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, an Amendment of SFAS 133,” and related amendments and interpretations. These standards require that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values.

      The Company’s use of derivative instruments has been limited to forward foreign currency contracts, which have been used principally to hedge net investments in certain foreign operations. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value. On the date a derivative foreign currency contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either a foreign currency fair-value or cash-flow hedge (“foreign currency” hedge), or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. The Company documents the hedging relationship and its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge, the hedging instrument, the item, the nature of the risk being hedged, how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed, and a description of the method of measuring ineffectiveness. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.

      Changes in the fair value of fair value and cash flow hedging instruments are included in operations and comprehensive income (loss) as appropriate. Amounts recorded in comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to operations in the period the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative, to the extent effective as a hedge, that is used as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation are recorded in the cumulative translation adjustments account within other comprehensive income.

      The Company has entered into transactions to reduce the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on recorded foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, and to mitigate the effect of such foreign exchange rate changes on the parent company’s net investment in its foreign subsidiaries. These transactions involve the use of forward foreign exchange contracts in certain European currencies. A forward foreign exchange contract obligates the Company to exchange predetermined amounts of specified foreign currencies at specified exchange rates on specified dates or to make an equivalent U.S. dollar payment equal to the value of such exchange. As a result, increases or decreases in the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s foreign

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

currency transactions are partially offset by gains and losses on the forward contracts, so as to mitigate the possibility of significant foreign currency transaction and translation gains and losses. The Company does not use foreign currency contracts for trading purposes. The Company does not currently hedge anticipated foreign currency-denominated revenues and expenses. All foreign currency transactions and outstanding forward contracts are marked-to-market on a monthly basis. There were no open euro/ U.S. dollar or other foreign currency contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2003 and 2004.

 
Concentrations of Credit Risk

      Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of market or credit risk consist principally of cash equivalent instruments, investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash balances with reputable financial institutions. Investments are carried at cost or fair value, as appropriate, and are not significant at March 31, 2004. Trade receivables potentially subject the Company to credit risk. The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and credit history and generally does not require collateral. The Company has historically incurred minimal credit losses. The Company did not have any clients that individually accounted for greater than 10% of its net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2003 and had one client that accounted for 11% of revenues for the year ended March 31, 2004. The Company had no clients with outstanding balances that accounted for greater than 10% of accounts receivable as of March 31, 2004.

 
Income Taxes

      The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred 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 reversed or settled.

 
Net Loss Per Share

      Basic net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and, where dilutive, the assumed exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units (using the treasury stock method). Following is a reconciliation of the shares (in thousands) used in computing basic and diluted net loss per share for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004:

                         
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,

2002 2003 2004



Shares used in computing basic net loss per share
    30,813       31,548       32,710  
Dilutive effect of stock options
                 
   
   
   
 
Shares used in computing diluted net loss per share
    30,813       31,548       32,710  
   
   
   
 
Antidilutive securities not included in dilutive net loss per share calculation
    26,266       17,161       12,282  
   
   
   
 
Dilutive securities not included in dilutive net loss per share due to loss
    2,488       451       1,496  
   
   
   
 

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Financial Instruments

      The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximates their carrying value.

 
Use of Estimates

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 
(3)  New Accounting Policies

      In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (“FASB”) issued a revised Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“Interpretation 46R”), which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly, should consolidate the entity. Interpretation 46R replaces Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which was issued in January 2003. The Company will be required to apply Interpretation 46R to interests in variable interest entities (“VIE”) created after December 31, 2003. For variable interests in VIEs created before January 1, 2004, the interpretation will be applied beginning on January 1, 2005. For any VIEs that must be consolidated under Interpretation 46R that were created before January 1, 2004, the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interests of the VIE initially would be measured at their carrying amounts with any difference between the net amount added to the balance sheet and any previously recognized interest being recognized as the cumulative effect of an accounting change. If determining the carrying amounts is not practicable, fair value at the date Interpretation 46R first applies may be used to measure the assets, liabilities and noncontrolling interest of the VIE. The adoption of Interpretation 46 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

      In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments by requiring that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. The provisions of SFAS No. 149 are effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. As of March 31, 2004 and during the twelve months then ended, the Company did not have any derivative instruments or hedging activities outstanding and as such, the adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.

      In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for classifying and measuring as liabilities certain financial instruments that have characteristics of both liabilities and equity. This statement is effective for all financial instruments created, entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. There was no impact on the financial condition or operating results of the Company from the adoption of SFAS No. 150.

      In December 2003, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (“SAB 104”), “Revenue Recognition,” which supersedes SAB 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements.” SAB 104’s primary purpose is to rescind the accounting guidance contained in SAB 101 related to multiple-element revenue arrangements that was superseded as a result of the issuance of Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” Additionally, SAB 104 rescinds the SEC’s related “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements — Frequently Asked Questions and Answers” issued with SAB 101 that had been codified in SEC Topic 13, “Revenue Recognition.” While the wording of SAB 104 has changed to reflect the

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

issuance of EITF 00-21, the revenue recognition principles of SAB 101 remain largely unchanged by the issuance of SAB 104, which was effective upon issuance. The Company adopted the provisions of SAB 104 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2004. The Company’s adoption of SAB 104 did not have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004.

 
(4)  Restructuring Charges

      As a result of management’s plan to better align the Company’s operating infrastructure with anticipated levels of business in fiscal 2004 and beyond, the Company restructured its workforce and operations in fiscal years 2002, 2003 and 2004.

 
Fiscal Year 2004 Restructuring Charges

      In the first quarter of fiscal year 2004, the Company recorded restructuring charge expense of $4.2 million, $2.5 million of which was related to a restructuring plan implemented in June 2003 and $1.7 million of which was recorded as an adjustment to the restructuring charge recorded in September 2002 to reflect a change in estimate of future sublease income for a contractual lease obligation related to office space reductions. In connection with the restructuring plan implemented in June 2003, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $2.5 million ($1.5 million on an after-tax basis, or $0.05 per share), consisting solely of severance and related expenses. The principal actions in the June 2003 restructuring plan included workforce reductions in the Europe and Latin America region, resulting in the termination of approximately 30 employees, none of whom were still employed by the Company as of March 31, 2004. Of the total employees severed, 40% were project personnel and 60% were operational personnel.

      The total cash outlay for the restructuring announced in June 2003 is expected to approximate $2.3 million. The remaining $0.2 million of restructuring costs consist of non-cash charges related to equity grants issued in connection with certain severance agreements. In March 2004, the Company adjusted the remaining restructuring accrual balance for $0.1 million which represents the excess of the accrual estimate over actual expense. As of March 31, 2004, approximately $2.3 million of cash had been expended for severance and related costs in connection with this initiative.

 
Fiscal Year 2003 Restructuring Charges

      In connection with the restructuring plan implemented in December 2002, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $8.4 million ($5.4 million on an after-tax basis, or $0.17 per share). The $8.4 million charge consisted of $7.8 million for severance and related expenses, $0.4 million related to office space reductions and $0.2 million for the write-off of various depreciable assets. The principal actions in the December 2002 restructuring plan included workforce reductions, resulting in the termination of approximately 115 employees, none of whom were still employed by the Company as of March 31, 2004. Of the total employees severed, 79% were project personnel and 21% were operational personnel.

      The total cash outlay for the restructuring announced in December 2002 is expected to approximate $7.5 million. The remaining $0.9 million of restructuring costs consists of non-cash charges primarily related to non-cash severance items and the write-down of certain assets to their estimated net realizable value. In March 2004, the Company adjusted the remaining restructuring accrual balance for $0.2 million which represents the excess of the accrual estimate over actual expense. As of March 31, 2004, approximately $7.4 million of cash had been expended for this initiative, primarily related to severance and related costs.

      In connection with the restructuring plan implemented in September 2002, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $20.5 million ($12.8 million on an after-tax basis or $0.41 per share). In June 2003, the Company adjusted this charge and recognized $1.7 million of additional expense to reflect a change in the estimate of future sublease income related to contractual lease obligations, bringing the total restructuring

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

charge to $22.2 million ($14.5 million on an after-tax basis). The $22.2 million charge consisted of $13.8 million for contractual commitments related to office space reductions, $5.7 million for severance and related expenses and $2.7 million for the write-off of various depreciable assets and the termination of certain equipment leases. The principal actions in the September 2002 restructuring plan involved office space reductions, which included further consolidation of office space in multiple offices globally. Estimated costs for the reduction in physical office space are comprised of contractual rental commitments for office space vacated, attorney fees and related costs to sublet the office space, offset by estimated sub-lease rental income. The restructuring plan also included workforce reductions, resulting in the termination of approximately 90 employees, none of whom were still employed by the Company as of March 31, 2004. Of the total employees severed, 60% were project personnel and 40% were operational personnel. Also included in the restructuring plan were the costs associated with the termination of certain equipment leases and costs related to the write-down of other assets to their estimated net realizable value.

      The total cash outlay for the restructuring announced in September 2002 is expected to approximate $19.7 million (after the adjustment to reflect the revised estimate of sublease rental income described above). The remaining $2.5 million of restructuring costs consist of non-cash charges primarily for the write-down of certain assets to their estimated net realizable value, as well as the write-off of sign-on bonuses previously paid to terminated employees. As of March 31, 2004, $11.3 million of cash had been expended for this initiative, primarily related to severance and related costs.

 
Fiscal Year 2002 Restructuring Charges

      In connection with the restructuring plan announced in December 2001, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $15.5 million ($9.5 million on an after-tax basis, or $0.31 per share). In September 2002, the Company adjusted this charge and recognized $0.4 million of additional expense due primarily to a change in estimate related to the cost of terminating an equipment lease, bringing the total restructuring charge to $15.9 million ($9.7 million on an after-tax basis). The $15.9 million charge consisted of $10.8 million for severance and related expenses, $3.1 million for contractual commitments and leasehold improvements related to office space reductions, and $2.0 million for other depreciable assets and certain equipment leases. The principal actions in the December 2001 restructuring plan involved workforce reductions, including the discontinuation of certain business activities within the Diamond Marketspace Solutions group which helped build and operate e-business ventures for Diamond’s clients. The restructuring plan included the termination of approximately 300 employees, none of whom remained employed by the Company as of March 31, 2004. Of the total employees severed, 90% were project personnel and 10% were operational personnel. In addition, the restructuring plan included office space reductions in San Francisco, New York and Chicago. Estimated costs related to the reduction of office space comprise contractual rental commitments for office space being vacated and certain equipment leases, as well as costs associated with the write-off of leasehold improvements and write-down of other assets to their estimated net realizable value.

      The total cash outlay for the restructuring announced in December 2001 is expected to approximate $13.2 million. The remaining $2.7 million of restructuring costs consist of non-cash charges primarily for the write-off of leasehold improvements and other related costs for the facilities being downsized, as well as the write-off of sign-on bonuses previously paid to terminated employees. As of March 31, 2004, $13.0 million of cash had been expended for this initiative, primarily related to severance and related costs.

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      The major components of the restructuring charges are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

                                                                                                 
Restructuring Charge Accrual For the Quarter Ended Accrual Reduction Other



Remaining
Accrual
December 2001 September 2002 December 2002 June 2003 Utilized Currency Balance





Translation as of
Description Charge Adj (1) Charge Adj (2) Charge Adj (3) Charge Adj (3) Cash Non-cash Adjustments 3/31/2004













Severance and related costs
  $ 10,847     $ 53     $ 5,638     $     $ 7,761     $ (89 )   $ 2,497     $ (43 )   $ 24,195     $ 2,512     $ 43     $  
Contractual commitments and leasehold improvements related to office space reductions
    3,089       (28 )     12,105       1,736       397       (91 )           (35 )     7,293       1,452       758       9,186  
Write-off of property, plant, equipment and leases
    1,606       375       2,714             251                         2,488       2,116             342  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
    $ 15,542     $ 400     $ 20,457     $ 1,736     $ 8,409     $ (180 )   $ 2,497     $ (78 )   $ 33,976     $ 6,080     $ 801     $ 9,528  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 


(1)  Adjustment was recorded in September 2002.
 
(2)  Adjustment was recorded in June 2003.
 
(3)  Adjustment was recorded in March 2004.

      These restructuring charges and accruals required certain significant estimates and assumptions, including estimates of sub-lease rental income to be realized in the future. These estimates and assumptions are monitored on at least a quarterly basis for changes in circumstances. It is reasonably possible that such estimates could change in the near term resulting in additional adjustments to the amounts recorded, and the effect could be material.

 
(5)  Computers, Equipment, Leasehold Improvements and Software, Net

      Computers, equipment, leasehold improvements and software, net at March 31, 2003 and 2004 are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

                 
2003 2004


Computers and equipment
  $ 15,396     $ 15,577  
Leasehold improvements
    6,800       6,715  
Software
    11,504       11,700  
   
   
 
      33,700       33,992  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (23,351 )     (27,519 )
   
   
 
    $ 10,349     $ 6,473  
   
   
 
 
(6)  Other Accrued Liabilities

      Other accrued liabilities at March 31, 2003 and 2004 are summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):

                   
2003 2004


Social Security tax accrual
  $ 2,481     $ 606  
VAT taxes payable
    2,833       6,626  
Other taxes payable
    2,748       1,505  
Other accrued liabilities
    9,035       10,236  
   
   
 
 
Total
  $ 17,097     $ 18,973  
   
   
 

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
(7)  Commitments

      The Company leases office space and equipment under various non-cancelable operating leases. As of March 31, 2004, the minimum future lease payments under operating leases with non-cancelable terms in excess of one year net of estimated sublease income of $6.1 million under existing and expected sublease arrangements are as follows (amounts in thousands):

         
Year ending March 31,

2005
  $ 6,218  
2006
    5,476  
2007
    4,606  
2008
    3,284  
2009
    4,146  
Thereafter
    7,948  
   
 
    $ 31,678  
   
 

      Rent expense under operating leases amounted to $10.9 million, $11.1 million and $7.6 million for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

      The Company is party to standby letters of credit in support of the minimum future lease payments under leases for permanent office space and office furniture amounting to $1.7 million as of March 31, 2004. These letter of credit obligations decline annually during the lease terms.

 
(8)  Line of Credit

      The Company maintains a revolving line of credit pursuant to the terms of a secured credit agreement with a commercial bank. Under this agreement, the Company may borrow up to $10.0 million at an annual interest rate based on the prime rate or based on LIBOR plus 1.5%, at our discretion. The line of credit is secured by cash and certain accounts receivable of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary DiamondCluster International North America, Inc. Under the terms of the credit agreement, the Company is required to maintain a minimum tangible net worth of $20 million. This line of credit is reduced, as necessary, to account for letters of credit outstanding. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had approximately $9.2 million available under this line of credit. The line of credit expires on July 31, 2004. The Company expects to renew the line of credit under similar terms at that time.

 
(9)  Stockholders’ Equity
 
Conversion To One Class of Common Stock

      On September 23, 2003, the Company effected a recapitalization by which all of its outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock were converted on a one-for-one basis into shares of a single, newly created class of common stock, called Common Stock. SFAS No. 123 requires an expense to be recognized for modifications to options which make them more valuable. The Company determined that the options held for Class A common stock became more valuable with the conversion to one class of common stock due to the increase in voting power, while options for Class B common stock decreased in value due to the loss in voting power. There were no other modifications to the underlying stock. Accordingly, the Company recorded a noncash compensation expense of $0.2 million in 2004 under SFAS No. 123 for the modification to options for Class A common stock.

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Stock Repurchases

      The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to six million shares of DiamondCluster’s Common Stock as part of an existing stock repurchase program. These repurchases were authorized to be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions with the timing and volume dependent upon market conditions. At March 31, 2004, the number of shares purchased under this authorization was 4.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of $61.1 million. Following is a summary of the repurchase activity over the last two fiscal years (amounts in thousands except average price data):

Repurchase of Common Stock

                         
Shares Amount Average Price



2004
    944     $ 9,204     $ 9.75  
2003
    968       5,242     $ 5.42  
   
   
       
Total
    1,912     $ 14,446          
   
   
       

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      Following is a reconciliation for the common and treasury stock activity for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 (in thousands):

                                                                   
Issued Held in Treasury


Class A Class B Class A Class B
Common Common Common Total Common Common Common Total
Stock Stock Stock Issued Stock Stock Stock Treasury








Balance at March 31, 2001
          23,659       8,752       32,411             (2,016 )           (2,016 )
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Issued
                                                               
 
Equity Plans
          213       1,429                                    
 
Acquisitions
          20                                                
 
Conversion
          3,614       (3,614 )                                  
Treasury Stock
                                                               
 
Acquisition
                                    (104 )     (318 )        
 
Retirement
          (9 )     (5 )                   9       5          
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2002
          27,497       6,562       34,059             (2,111 )     (313 )     (2,424 )
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Issued
                                                               
 
Equity Plans
          95       1,071                                    
 
Acquisitions
          2                                                
 
Conversion
          1,139       (1,139 )                                  
Treasury Stock
                                                               
 
Acquisition
                                    (970 )     (1 )        
 
Retirement
          (2 )     (1 )                   2       1          
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2003
          28,731       6,493       35,224             (3,079 )     (313 )     (3,392 )
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Issued
                                                               
 
Equity Plans
    1,575       190       1,695                                    
 
Conversion
    37,109       (28,921 )     (8,188 )                                  
Treasury Stock
                                                               
 
Acquisition
                              (945 )                    
 
Retirement
    (1 )                         1                      
 
Conversion
                              (3,392 )     3,079       313          
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2004
    38,683                   38,683       (4,336 )                 (4,336 )
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
Stockholder Rights Plan Adoption

      On September 23, 2003, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of a Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Company issued a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right (a “Right”) for each share of common stock of the Company held by stockholders of record at the close of business on October 15, 2003. New Rights will accompany any new shares of common stock the Company issues after October 15, 2003 until the expiration date for the Rights. Each Right initially entitles stockholders to purchase a fractional share of the Company’s Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for $32.50. The Rights are not exercisable, however, until the occurrence of certain events, including the commencement of a tender offer or acquisition of 15 percent or more of the Company’s common stock. The Rights are redeemable at $0.01 per Right at anytime prior to a triggering event at the option of the Board of Directors. The Rights will expire on October 15, 2013.

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

      In September 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted and the Company’s shareholders subsequently approved the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan is designed to qualify for certain income tax benefits for employees under section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code and contains 4.4 million shares of Common Stock. The plan allows qualifying employees to purchase Common Stock each quarter, at 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the individual’s enrollment date or the purchase date. The amount each employee can purchase is limited to the lesser of (i) 10% of pay or (ii) $6,250 of stock value in any three month period. At March 31, 2004, approximately 2.2 million shares are still available for future issuance under this plan.

 
Stock Option Rehabilitation

      On May 2, 2002, the Company offered employees (other than senior officers) a plan, approved by the Board of Directors, which gave employees a choice to surrender certain stock options previously granted to them in exchange for a future grant of a smaller number of new options to purchase the same class of shares, a majority of which would vest over a three-year period. The original options were granted under DiamondCluster’s 2000 Stock Option Plan (2000 Plan) and under DiamondCluster’s 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Employees who accepted this offer were required to make an election with respect to all covered options by May 14, 2002. In order to receive the new options, the employees were required to remain employed by DiamondCluster until November 15, 2002. The exchange offer was not available to the members of the Board of Directors or senior officers of DiamondCluster. A total of 4.3 million stock options were surrendered as a part of this plan. Certain of these options had intrinsic value at the original grant date, the unvested portion of which had not been amortized to noncash compensation expense at the date surrendered. The voluntary surrender of these options resulted in a non-cash charge to compensation expense of $8.6 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2002, consisting of the remaining unamortized compensation expense related to these surrendered options. On November 15, 2002, approximately 1.0 million new options were granted to employees who remained employed by DiamondCluster. The exercise price for a majority of the options granted on November 15, 2002 was $0.76, or 25% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on that date.

      On January 30, 2001, the Company offered employees (other than senior officers) a plan, approved by the Board of Directors, which gave employees a choice to cancel certain stock options previously granted to them in exchange for a future grant of a lesser number of new options to purchase the same class of shares, a majority of which would vest proportionately over a four year period. The original options were granted under the 2000 Plan and under the 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Employees who accepted the offer were required to make an election with respect to all covered options by February 8, 2001. In order to receive the new options, the employees were required to remain employed by DiamondCluster until August 9, 2001. The exchange offer was not available to the members of the Board of Directors or senior officers of DiamondCluster. A total of 2.3 million stock options were cancelled as part of this plan. On August 9, 2001, a total of 1.5 million of new options were granted, which represented between 75% and 100% of the original grant and had an exercise price that was set on the grant date. The exercise price for a majority of the options granted on August 9, 2001 was set at fair market value.

 
Stock Options

      The Company has adopted various stock incentive and option plans that authorize the granting of qualified and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and stock awards to officers and employees and non-qualified stock options, SARs and stock awards to certain persons who were not employees on the date of grant, including certain non-employee members of the Board of Directors. Under the 2000 Plan,

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

8.5 million shares were authorized for grant, and at March 31, 2004, approximately 6.2 million shares are still available for future grant. Under the 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the “Stock Option Plans” or “Plans”), 28.0 million shares were authorized for grant, and at March 31, 2004, approximately 13.5 million shares were still available for future grant. All such options are for shares of common stock.

      The Stock Option Plans provide that fair market value will be determined based on the average of the closing price of a share of common stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market System for the ten trading days immediately preceding the date of grant. Options granted under the 1998 Equity Incentive Plan must have an exercise price at or above the fair market value on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2000 Plan can have an exercise price that is below the fair market value on the date of grant. Options have been granted to officers which vest incrementally, in varying percentages, on the first through fifth anniversaries of the date of grant, and expire either on the seventh anniversary of the date of grant or six months after the fifth anniversary of the date of grant for more recent grants. Options have been granted to non-officer employees which fully vest either upon the third anniversary of the date of grant and expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant, or which vest ratably over four years and expire either on the sixth anniversary of the date of grant or six months after the fourth anniversary of the date of grant for more recent grants. Options were also granted to employees at various times which vest over periods ranging from 18 months to 3 years from the date of grant, and which expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant. Non-qualified stock options vest over periods ranging from immediately to five years. The Company allocates the cost of compensatory stock options granted under APB No. 25 over the vesting period using the straight-line method. Options granted since the adoption of SFAS No. 123 are expensed pursuant to FIN No. 28, “Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans.”

      During fiscal 2004, the Company granted options to purchase 0.4 million shares of Common Stock. These options were granted to certain employees as part of the review process or to new employees who joined the Company as part of their compensation package.

      During fiscal 2003, the Company granted options to purchase 2.7 million shares of Common Stock. Approximately 0.7 million of these options were granted in connection with the stock option rehabilitation program discussed above.

      During fiscal 2002, the Company granted options to purchase 12.3 million shares of Common Stock. A portion of such options were granted in connection with the Company’s efforts to contain costs and conserve cash. Stock options were granted to certain employees in lieu of cash bonuses and as an incentive to accept salary decreases. During fiscal 2002, 1.6 million options were granted in connection with the stock option rehabilitation program discussed above.

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      The following table summarizes the stock option transactions, both incentive and non-qualified, pursuant to the Plans (share amounts in thousands):

                           
Weighted-
Shares Average
Under Exercise Price
Option Range of Prices Per Share



Balances, March 31, 2001
    18,206       $0.81 to $89.95     $ 19.98  
 
Granted
    12,258        4.56 to  16.99       9.87  
 
Exercised
    (840 )      1.21 to  15.23       6.85  
 
Forfeited
    (3,358 )      2.12 to  92.90       24.06  
   
   
   
 
Balances, March 31, 2002
    26,266       $0.81 to $87.60     $ 15.46  
 
Granted
    2,730        0.56 to  13.02       5.25  
 
Exercised
    (325 )      0.58 to  11.41       5.94  
 
Forfeited
    (11,510 )      0.56 to  87.60       19.35  
   
   
   
 
Balances, March 31, 2003
    17,161       $0.76 to $60.35     $ 11.36  
 
Granted
    368        1.57 to  10.67       5.49  
 
Exercised
    (1,029 )      0.76 to  10.82       5.00  
 
Forfeited
    (4,774 )      0.76 to  60.35       12.63  
   
   
   
 
Balances, March 31, 2004
    11,726       $0.76 to $32.86     $ 11.32  
   
   
   
 

      At March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, 6.4 million, 7.5 million and 7.2 million options were exercisable, respectively, under the Plans.

      The following table summarizes information about stock options under the Plans at March 31, 2004:

                                         
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable


Weighted-
Options Average Options
Outstanding Remaining Weighted-Average Exercisable Weighted-Average
Range of Exercise Prices at 3/31/04 Contractual Life Exercise Price at 3/31/04 Exercise Price






$0.76 to $7.06
    1,498,333       3.77     $ 3.26       345,160     $ 2.64  
 7.75 to 8.79
    1,370,995       2.98       8.44       950,890       8.30  
 8.93 to 10.22
    3,437,025       3.76       9.53       1,700,961       9.50  
 10.23 to 12.95
    2,205,858       2.36       10.71       1,594,885       10.68  
 13.02 to 15.97
    1,683,475       2.08       13.57       1,318,648       13.62  
 16.23 to 27.99
    911,095       4.04       21.48       859,033       21.28  
 28.10 to 32.86
    618,949       3.18       28.36       452,259       28.46  
   
   
   
   
   
 
$0.76 to $32.86
    11,725,730       3.16     $ 11.32       7,221,836     $ 12.62  
   
   
   
   
   
 

      The weighted-average fair value of the options granted under the Stock Option Plans in 2002, 2003 and 2004, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, was $6.36, $3.29 and $2.76 respectively. The

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes pricing model for options granted in 2002, 2003 and 2004:

                         
2002 2003 2004



Expected life (years)
    0.5 to 4.0       0.1 to 4.4       0.5 to 5.5  
Interest rate
    2.8% to 4.4%       1.3% to 4.6%       1.5% to 2.5%  
Volatility
    84%       82%       68%  
Dividend yield
                 
 
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Stock Awards)

      During fiscal year 2004, the Company granted Stock Awards to officers, employees, certain individuals who were not employees of the Company, and certain non-employee members of the Board of Directors. These Stock Awards are granted at no cost to the individual. They are subject to vesting terms at which point the Common Stock is issued if the individual holds a restricted stock unit, or the restrictions from sale of the Common Stock lapse if the individual holds restricted stock. The Company allocates the cost of stock awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. During fiscal 2004, the Company issued 3.3 million stock awards, the majority of which were issued to employees as part of the fiscal year 2003 review process.

      The following table summarizes information about stock awards at March 31, 2004 (share amounts in thousands):

           
Unvested
Stock
Awards

Balance at March 31, 2003
    116  
 
Granted at weighted average fair value of $4.03
    3,267  
 
Vested
    (586 )
 
Forfeited
    (241 )
   
 
Balance at March 31, 2004
    2,556  
   
 
 
(10)  Income Taxes

      The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 consisted of the following (in thousands):

                           
2002 2003 2004



Current:
                       
 
Federal
  $ (3,885 )   $ 503     $ (845 )
 
State
    (464 )           37  
 
Foreign
    3,776       570       1,462  
   
   
   
 
    $ (573 )   $ 1,073     $ 654  
Deferred:
                       
 
Federal
    (5,636 )     11,242        
 
State
    (3,260 )     5,689        
 
Foreign
    (1,579 )     3,205        
   
   
   
 
    $ (10,475 )   $ 20,136     $  
   
   
   
 
    $ (11,048 )   $ 21,209     $ 654  
   
   
   
 

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      The income tax benefit of the employee stock option compensation expense for tax purposes in excess of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes credited to additional paid-in-capital was $1.5 million and $0.3 million for 2002 and 2003 respectively. No amount was credited to additional paid-in-capital for 2004.

      The total tax provision (benefit) differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate of 34 percent for 2002, 2003 and 2004 to income before taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle for the following reasons (in thousands):

                         
2002 2003 2004



Federal income taxes (benefit) at statutory rate
  $ (49,205 )   $ (115,209 )   $ (1,617 )
Effect of non-deductible goodwill amortization/impairment and noncash compensation
    37,465       94,400       2,073  
Effect of investment in subsidiary write-down
                (12,552 )
Effect of other permanent differences
    166       (4,098 )     366  
State income taxes, net of federal effect
    (2,457 )           24  
Foreign tax rate differential
    (941 )     103       (4,434 )
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
    3,924       46,013       16,794  
   
   
   
 
    $ (11,048 )   $ 21,209     $ 654  
   
   
   
 

      The tax effects of the temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2003 and 2004 are presented below (in thousands):

                     
2003 2004


Deferred tax assets attributable to:
               
 
Net operating loss carryforward
  $ 33,052     $ 51,569  
 
Foreign tax credit carryforward
    4,402       4,416  
 
Reserves and allowances
    6,832       5,857  
 
Goodwill
    2,546       2,315  
 
Depreciation
    407       675  
 
Capital loss carryforward
    3,305       3,305  
   
   
 
   
Total gross deferred tax assets
    50,544       68,137  
   
Less valuation allowance
    (50,235 )     (67,029 )
   
   
 
   
Net deferred tax assets
    309       1,108  
Deferred tax liabilities attributable to:
               
 
Other
    309       1,108  
   
   
 
   
Total deferred tax liabilities
    309       1,108  
   
   
 
Net deferred income taxes
  $     $  
   
   
 

      During 2003, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $46.0 million to increase the valuation allowance against net Federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance was recorded in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which requires an assessment of both negative and positive evidence when determining the need for a valuation allowance. Management concluded that the Company’s losses in recent periods represented sufficient negative evidence to require a full valuation allowance against its net Federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets under SFAS No. 109. As of March 31, 2004, the Company has a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets.

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

      As of March 31, 2004, the Company has net operating loss carryfowards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $42.6 million, which are available to offset future federal taxable income through 2023. The Company also has net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $75.3 million, which may be used to offset future state taxable income. The expiration of these loss carryforwards ranges between one and nineteen years. In addition, the Company has foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $97.6 million, of which approximately $82.0 million expire through 2019, and the remainder may be carried forward indefinitely. The Company has foreign tax credit carryforwards of approximately $4.4 million, $3.0 million of which expire in 2007 and the remainder expiring through 2011.

      The Company made net cash payments for income taxes in 2002, 2003 and 2004 of $7.3 million, $3.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

 
(11)  Geographic Data

      The Company operates only in one segment, providing consulting services. Even though the Company has different legal entities operating in various countries, its operations and management are performed on a global basis.

      Data for the geographic regions in which the Company operates is presented below for the periods presented in the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

                             
2002 2003 2004



Net revenues:
                       
 
North America
  $ 103,098     $ 79,278     $ 93,602  
 
Europe
    59,036       50,017       58,861  
 
All other countries
    19,081       3,679       2,322  
   
   
   
 
   
Total net revenues
  $ 181,215     $ 132,974     $ 154,785  
   
   
   
 
Long-lived assets (as of March 31):
                       
 
North America
  $ 22,884     $ 7,920     $ 4,271  
 
Europe
    230,482       3,895       2,682  
 
All other countries
    1,351       436       249  
   
   
   
 
   
Total long-lived assets
  $ 254,717     $ 12,251     $ 7,202  
   
   
   
 

      The segregation of revenue by geographic region is based upon the location of the legal entity performing the services.

 
(12)  Benefit Plans
 
401(k) Plan

      The Company has a defined contribution plan covering all of its North American employees. This plan is qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Company may elect to make contributions to this plan but to date has not done so.

 
(13)  Foreign Exchange Risk Management
 
Objectives and Context

      The Company operates internationally; therefore its earnings, cash flows and financial position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign currency-denominated receivables and payables, forecasted

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Table of Contents

DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

service transactions, and net investments in certain foreign operations. These items are denominated in various foreign currencies, including the euro, the British pound sterling and the Brazilian real.

      Management believes it is prudent to minimize the variability caused by foreign currency fluctuations. Management attempts to minimize foreign currency risk by pricing contracts in the respective local country’s functional currency and by using derivative instruments when necessary. The Company’s financial management continually monitors foreign currency fluctuations and the use of derivative instruments. The Company does not use derivative instruments for purposes other than hedging net investments in foreign subsidiaries.

 
Strategies

      International revenues are generated primarily from sales of services in various countries and are typically denominated in the local currency of each country, most of which now use the euro. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries also incur most of their expenses in the local currency. Accordingly, all foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. As a result, management does not believe that its financial position is significantly exposed to foreign currency fluctuations from foreign currency-denominated receivables and payables or forecasted service transactions.

      DiamondCluster has net investments in foreign operations located throughout Europe and Latin America. In order to mitigate the impact of foreign currency movements on the Company’s financial position, in some cases the Company hedges its euro exposures through the use of euro/ U.S. dollar forward contracts. These contracts have been designated and have qualified as hedging instruments of the foreign currency exposure related to the Company’s net investment in its foreign operations. Accordingly, the net amount of gains or losses on these forward foreign exchange contracts offset losses and gains on the Company’s exposure to foreign currency movements related to its net investments in its foreign operations and are reflected in the cumulative translation adjustment account and included as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). At March 31, 2002, the Company had one euro/U.S. dollar forward contract outstanding in the notional principal amount of EUR 62.8 million. On June 28, 2002, the Company settled its euro/U.S. dollar forward contract for EUR 62.8 million. As noted above, the Company entered into this contract to mitigate the effect of an adverse movement of foreign exchange rates. As a result of the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro in the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company recorded a net loss on the forward exchange contract of $7.4 million in the cumulative translation adjustments account which was offset by the related gain on the net investment in the foreign operations during the period. As of March 31, 2004 and 2003, there were no open euro/U.S. dollar or other foreign currency contracts outstanding.

 
(14)  Related Party Transactions

      It is the Company’s policy to reimburse the business use of private airplanes in connection with Company business in order to minimize the time spent by employees traveling to client sites, provided the cost of such travel is at or below prevailing market rates for private or chartered aircrafts. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, in accordance with this policy, the Company reimbursed the chief executive officer of the Company $200 thousand for business-related travel on an airplane he owned.

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 
(15)  Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

      The following table presents the unaudited quarterly financial information for fiscal 2003 and 2004 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                 
Quarter Ended

June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31 Mar 31




Year Ended March 31, 2003
                               
Revenue before out-of-pocket expense reimbursements (net revenue)
  $ 38,327     $ 38,107     $ 30,077     $ 26,463  
Total revenue (including out-of-pocket expense reimbursements)
    43,793       44,692       33,528       30,292  
Loss from operations
    (26,510 )     (35,056 )     (25,792 )     (110,774 )
Loss before income taxes and the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (26,809 )     (35,132 )     (25,455 )     (110,592 )
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
    (140,864 )                  
Net loss
    (165,758 )     (27,755 )     (20,917 )     (145,631 )
Basic loss per share
  $ (5.21 )   $ (0.89 )   $ (0.67 )   $ (4.59 )
Diluted loss per share
  $ (5.21 )   $ (0.89 )   $ (0.67 )   $ (4.59 )
 
Year Ended March 31, 2004
                               
Revenue before out-of-pocket expense reimbursements (net revenue)
  $ 34,030     $ 38,213     $ 39,510     $ 43,032  
Total revenue (including out-of-pocket expense reimbursements)
    39,217       43,366       44,790       49,741  
Income (loss) from operations
    (9,944 )     738       1,061       2,351  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (9,542 )     951       1,350       2,484  
Net income (loss)
    (10,053 )     461       980       3,201  
Basic income (loss) per share
  $ (0.31 )   $ 0.01     $ 0.03     $ 0.10  
Diluted income (loss) per share
  $ (0.31 )   $ 0.01     $ 0.03     $ 0.09  

      Quarterly income (loss) per share amounts are calculated independently and may not sum to the full year totals due to rounding and changes in shares outstanding.

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Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

The Stockholders Board of Directors

DiamondCluster International, Inc.:

      We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DiamondCluster International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2003 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2004. In connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also audited the related financial statement schedule. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the schedule based on our audits.

      In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

  /s/ KPMG LLP

Chicago, Illinois

April 25, 2004

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DIAMONDCLUSTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                   
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E





Balance at Charged to Balance at
Beginning Costs and End of
Description of Period Expenses Deductions Period





(Amounts in thousands)
For the Year Ended March 31, 2004:
                               
 
Deducted from accounts receivable for uncollectible accounts
  $ 1,597     $ 413     $ 360     $ 1,650  
For the Year Ended March 31, 2003:
                               
 
Deducted from accounts receivable for uncollectible accounts
  $ 1,089     $ 3,324     $ 2,816     $ 1,597  
For the Year Ended March 31, 2002:
                               
 
Deducted from accounts receivable for uncollectible accounts
  $ 2,028     $ 1,810     $ 2,749     $ 1,089  

See accompanying independent auditors’ report.

S-2