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FORM 10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

/x/    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002

OR

/ /    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Commission file number 1-10427

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


DELAWARE

 

94-1648752
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

2884 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, California

 

94025
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (650) 234-6000


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
  Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, Par Value $.001 per Share   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None


        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   X    No     

        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.  /x/

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer.  Yes   X    No     

        As of June 30, 2002, the aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $3,775,400,000 based on the closing sale price on that date. This amount excludes the market value of 13,549,409 shares of Common Stock directly or indirectly held by registrant's directors and officers and their affiliates.

        As of February 28, 2003, there were outstanding 170,820,995 shares of the registrant's Common Stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement to be mailed to stockholders in connection with the registrant's annual meeting of stockholders, scheduled to be held in May 2003, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report. Except as expressly incorporated by reference, the registrant's Proxy Statement shall not be deemed to be part of this report.





PART I

Item 1.    Business

        Robert Half International Inc. is the world's largest specialized provider of temporary and permanent personnel in the fields of accounting and finance. Its divisions include Accountemps® and Robert Half® Finance & Accounting, providers of temporary and permanent personnel, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance. The Company, utilizing its experience as a specialized provider of temporary and permanent personnel, has expanded into additional specialty fields. In 1991, the Company formed OfficeTeam® to provide skilled temporary administrative and office personnel. In 1994, the Company established Robert Half® Technology (formerly called RHI Consulting®) to concentrate on providing temporary and contract information technology professionals in positions ranging from PC support technician to chief information officer. In 1992, the Company acquired The Affiliates®, which focuses on placing temporary and regular employees in paralegal, legal administrative and other legal support positions. In 1997, the Company established Robert Half® Management Resources (formerly called RHI Management Resources®) to provide senior level project professionals specializing in the accounting and finance fields. The Creative Group® provides project staffing in the advertising, marketing and web design fields.

        The Company's business was originally founded in 1948. Prior to 1986, the Company was primarily a franchisor of Accountemps and Robert Half offices. Beginning in 1986, the Company and its current management embarked on a strategy of acquiring franchised locations. Only one of the franchises remains outstanding. The Company has also acquired other local or regional providers of specialized temporary service personnel. Since 1986, the Company has significantly expanded operations at many of the acquired locations and has opened many new locations. The Company believes that direct ownership of offices allows it to better monitor and protect the image of its tradenames, promotes a more consistent and higher level of quality and service throughout its network of offices and improves profitability by centralizing many of its administrative functions. The Company's temporary and permanent staffing services business currently has more than 320 offices in 42 states and the District of Columbia and ten foreign countries and placed approximately 180,000 employees on temporary assignment with clients in 2002.

        In 2002, the Company hired more than 700 professionals who had been affiliated with the internal audit and business and technology risk consulting practice of Arthur Andersen LLP, including more than 50 individuals who had been partners of Andersen. These professionals formed the base of the Company's new Protiviti Inc. subsidiary. ProtivitiSM has enabled the Company to enter the market for independent internal audit and business and technology risk consulting services, which market the Company believes offers synergies with its traditional lines of business.

Accountemps

        The Accountemps temporary services division offers customers a reliable and economical means of dealing with uneven or peak work loads for accounting, tax and finance personnel caused by such predictable events as vacations, taking inventories, tax work, month-end activities and special projects and such unpredictable events as illness and emergencies. Businesses increasingly view the use of temporary employees as a means of controlling personnel costs and converting such costs from fixed to variable. The cost and inconvenience to clients of hiring and firing permanent employees are eliminated by the use of Accountemps temporaries. The temporary workers are employees of Accountemps and are paid by Accountemps only when working on customer assignments. The customer pays a fixed rate only for hours worked.

        Accountemps clients may fill their permanent employment needs by using an Accountemps employee on a trial basis and, if so desired, "converting" the temporary position to a permanent position. The client typically pays a one-time fee for such conversions.

OfficeTeam

        The Company's OfficeTeam division, which commenced operations in 1991, places temporary and permanent office and administrative personnel, ranging from word processors to office managers. OfficeTeam operates in much the same fashion as the Accountemps and Robert Half divisions.

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Robert Half Finance & Accounting

        The Company offers permanent placement services through its office network under the name Robert Half Finance & Accounting. The Company's Robert Half Finance & Accounting division (formerly the Robert Half division) specializes in placing accounting, financial, tax and banking personnel. Fees for successful permanent placements are paid only by the employer and are generally a percentage of the new employee's annual compensation. No fee for permanent placement services is charged to employment candidates.

Robert Half Technology

        The Company's Robert Half Technology division, which commenced operations in 1994, specializes in providing information technology contract consultants and placing regular employees in areas ranging from multiple platform systems integration to end-user support, including specialists in programming, networking, systems integration, database design and help desk support.

The Affiliates

        Since 1992, the Company has been placing temporary and permanent employees in attorney, paralegal, legal administrative and legal secretarial positions through its The Affiliates division. The legal profession's requirements (the need for confidentiality, accuracy and reliability, a strong drive toward cost-effectiveness, and frequent peak workload periods) are similar to the demands of the clients of the Accountemps division.

Robert Half Management Resources

        The Company's Robert Half Management Resources division, which commenced operations in 1997, specializes in providing senior level project professionals in the accounting and finance fields, including chief financial officers, controllers, and senior financial analysts, for such tasks as financial systems conversions, expansion into new markets, business process reengineering and post-merger financial consolidation.

The Creative Group

        The Creative Group division commenced operations in 1999 and serves clients in the areas of advertising, marketing and web design and places project consultants in a variety of positions such as creative directors, graphics designers, web content developers, web designers, media buyers, and public relations specialists.

Protiviti

        Protiviti provides independent internal audit and business and technology risk consulting services. Protiviti helps clients identify, measure, and manage operational and technology-related risks they face within their industries and throughout their systems and processes. Protiviti offers a full spectrum of professional consulting services, technologies, and skills for business and technology risk management and the continual transformation of internal audit functions.

Marketing and Recruiting

        The Company markets its temporary and permanent staffing services to clients as well as employment candidates. Local marketing and recruiting are generally conducted by each office or related group of offices. Local advertising directed to clients and employment candidates consists primarily of yellow pages advertisements, classified advertisements, websites, trade shows and advertising on the Internet. Direct marketing through e-mail, regular mail and telephone solicitation also constitutes a significant portion of the Company's total advertising. National advertising conducted by the Company consists primarily of radio, television, print advertisements in national newspapers, magazines and certain trade journals. The Company has initiated programs to take advantage of the Internet as a resource for recruiting candidates and filling client orders. Recent Internet initiatives include forging traffic building alliances with leading Internet career search sites. The Company plans to expand its use of the Internet in all aspects of sales and recruitment. Joint marketing arrangements have been entered into with Microsoft, Peachtree Software and Intuit and typically provide for cooperative advertising, joint mailings and similar promotional activities. The Company also actively seeks endorsements and affiliations with professional organizations in the

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business management, office administration and professional secretarial fields. The Company also conducts public relations activities designed to enhance public recognition of the Company and its services. Local employees are encouraged to be active in civic organizations and industry trade groups.

        Protiviti markets its risk consulting and internal audit services to a variety of clients in a range of industries. Industry and competency teams conduct targeted marketing efforts, both locally and nationally, including print advertising and branded speaking events, with support from Protiviti management. National advertising conducted by Protiviti consists primarily of print advertisements in national newspapers, magazines and selected trade journals. Protiviti has initiated a national direct mail program to share information with clients on current corporate governance issues. It conducts public relations activities, such as press releases and newsletters, designed to enhance recognition for the Protiviti brand, establish its expertise in key issues surrounding its business and promote its services. Protiviti plans to expand both the services and value added content on the Protiviti.com website and increase traffic through targeted Internet advertising. Local employees are encouraged to be active in civic organizations and industry trade groups.

        The Company and its subsidiaries own many trademarks, service marks and tradenames, including the Robert Half® Finance & Accounting, Accountemps®, OfficeTeam®, The Affiliates®, Robert Half® Technology, Robert Half® Management Resources, The Creative Group® and ProtivitiSM marks, which are registered in the United States and in a number of foreign countries.

Organization

        Management of the Company's temporary and permanent staffing operations is coordinated from its headquarters facilities in Menlo Park and Pleasanton, California. The Company's headquarters provides support and centralized services to its offices in the administrative, marketing, accounting, training and legal areas, particularly as it relates to the standardization of the operating procedures of its offices. The Company conducts its temporary and permanent staffing services operations through more than 320 offices in 42 states and the District of Columbia and ten foreign countries. Office managers are responsible for most activities of their offices, including sales, local advertising and marketing and recruitment.

        The day-to-day operations of Protiviti are managed by a committee consisting of key operating personnel, with operational and administrative support provided by individuals located in Pleasanton and Menlo Park, California. Protiviti has more than 30 offices in 20 states, the District of Columbia and four foreign countries.

Competition

        The Company's temporary and permanent staffing services face competition in attracting clients as well as high-quality specialized employment candidates. The temporary and permanent placement businesses are highly competitive, with a number of firms offering services similar to those provided by the Company on a national, regional or local basis. In many areas the local companies are the strongest competitors. The most significant competitive factors in the temporary and permanent placement businesses are price and the reliability of service, both of which are often a function of the availability and quality of personnel. The Company believes it derives a competitive advantage from its long experience with and commitment to the specialized employment market, its national presence, and its various marketing activities.

        Protiviti faces competition in its efforts to attract clients and win proposal presentations. The risk consulting and internal audit businesses are highly competitive due to many new firms entering the market and the evolution of established firms in the business space. In addition, the changing regulatory environment is increasing opportunities for non-attestation audit and risk consulting services. The principal competitors of Protiviti remain the "big four" accounting firms. Significant competitive factors include reputation, technology, tools, project methodologies, price of services and depth of skills of personnel. Protiviti believes its competitive strengths lie in its unique ability to couple the deep skills and proven methodologies of its "big four" heritage with the customer focus and attention of a smaller organization.

Employees

        The Company has approximately 6,900 full-time staff employees, including approximately 700 engaged directly in Protiviti operations. The Company placed approximately 180,000 employees on

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temporary assignments with clients during 2002. Temporary employees placed by the Company are the Company's employees for all purposes while they are working on assignments. The Company pays the related costs of employment, such as workers' compensation insurance, state and federal unemployment taxes, social security and certain fringe benefits. The Company provides voluntary health insurance coverage to interested temporary employees.

Other Information

        The Company's current business constitutes three business segments. (See Note M of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for financial information about the Company's segments.)

        The Company is not dependent upon a single customer or a limited number of customers. The Company's temporary and permanent staffing services operations are generally more active in the first and fourth quarters of a calendar year. Protiviti has been in operation only since May 2002, so there does not exist sufficient information to determine to what extent, if any, its business may be seasonal. Order backlog is not a material aspect of the Company's temporary and permanent staffing services business. While backlog is of greater importance to Protiviti, the Company does not believe, based upon the length of time of the average Protiviti engagement, that backlog is a material aspect of the Protiviti business. No material portion of the Company's business is subject to government contracts.

        Information about foreign operations is contained in Note M of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. The Company does not have export sales.

Available Information

        The Company's Internet address is www.rhi.com. Beginning with this report, the Company makes available, free of charge, through its website, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and its Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as is reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Risk Factors

        The Company's business prospects are subject to various risks and uncertainties that impact its business. The most important of these risks and uncertainties are as follows:

        Business Highly Dependent Upon the State of the Economy.    The demand for the Company's services, in particular its temporary and permanent staffing services, is highly dependent upon the state of the economy and upon the staffing needs of the Company's clients. Any variation in the economic condition or unemployment levels of the U.S. or of any of the foreign countries in which the Company does business, or in the economic condition of any region of any of the foregoing, or in any specific industry may severely reduce the demand for the Company's services and thereby significantly decrease the Company's revenues and profits.

        Availability of Candidates.    The Company's temporary and permanent staffing services business consists of the placement of individuals seeking employment. There can be no assurance that qualified candidates for employment will continue to seek employment through the Company. Qualified candidates generally seek temporary or permanent positions through multiple sources, including the Company and its competitors. Any shortage of qualified candidates could materially adversely affect the Company.

        Highly Competitive Business.    The temporary and permanent staffing services business is highly competitive and, because it is a service business, the barriers to entry are quite low. There are many competitors, some of which have greater resources than the Company, and new competitors are entering the market all the time. In addition, long-term contracts form a negligible portion of the Company's revenue. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain clients or market share in the future. Nor can there be any assurance that the Company will, in light of competitive pressures, be able to remain profitable or, if profitable, maintain its current profit margins.

        Potential Liability to Employees and Clients.    The Company's temporary services business entails employing individuals on a temporary basis and placing such individuals in clients' workplaces. The Company's ability to control the workplace environment is limited. As the employer of record of its temporary employees, the Company incurs a risk of liability to its temporary employees for various workplace events, including claims of physical injury, discrimination or harassment. While such claims have

4



not historically had a material adverse effect upon the Company, there can be no assurance that such claims in the future will not result in adverse publicity or have a material adverse effect upon the Company. The Company also incurs a risk of liability to its clients resulting from allegations of errors, omissions or theft by its temporary employees. The Company maintains insurance with respect to many of such claims. While such claims have not historically had a material adverse effect upon the Company, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be able to obtain insurance at a cost that does not have a material adverse effect upon the Company or that such claims (whether by reason of the Company not having insurance or by reason of such claims being outside the scope of the Company's insurance) will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company.

        Dependence Upon Personnel.    The Company is engaged in the services business. As such, its success or failure is highly dependent upon the performance of its management personnel and employees, rather than upon technology or upon tangible assets (of which the Company has few). There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain the personnel that are essential to its success.

        Government Regulation.    The Company's business is subject to regulation or licensing in many states and in certain foreign countries. While the Company has had no material difficulty complying with regulations in the past, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to obtain all necessary licenses or approvals or that the cost of compliance will not prove to be material. Any inability of the Company to comply with government regulation or licensing requirements could materially adversely affect the Company.

        Government Regulation of the Workplace.    The Company's temporary services business entails employing individuals on a temporary basis and placing such individuals in clients' workplaces. Increased government regulation of the workplace or of the employer-employee relationship could materially adversely affect the Company.

        Reliance on Short-Term Contracts.    Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company's temporary and permanent staffing services business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or extrapolating past results.

        Protiviti Recently Established.    Protiviti was established in May 2002. While its professionals have many years of experience in other organizations, there can be no assurance that they will be able to operate successfully in the Protiviti environment.

        Impact of Protiviti on Corporate Management and Costs.    Integrating the recently hired professionals into Protiviti and establishing an infrastructure and procedures for Protiviti has caused the Company to incur significant costs and the diversion of significant amounts of management time. Such costs and expenditures of time can be expected to adversely impact the operations of the Company as a whole. There can be no assurance if, or when, such costs and diversion of time will decrease.

        Protiviti Operating Losses.    Protiviti has only recently begun operations. It has not yet generated an operating profit, and there can be no assurance that the business will become profitable in the future.

        Protiviti Dependence on Personnel.    Protiviti is a services business, and is dependent upon its ability to attract and retain personnel. While Protiviti has retained its key personnel to date, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.

        Protiviti Competition.    Protiviti operates in a highly competitive business. As with the Company's temporary and permanent staffing services business, the barriers to entry are quite low. There are many competitors, some of which have greater resources than Protiviti and many of which have been in operation far longer than Protiviti. In particular, Protiviti faces competition from the "big four" accounting firms, which have been in operation for a considerable period of time and have established reputations and client bases. Because the principal factors upon which competition is based are reputation, technology, tools, project methodologies, price of services and depth of skills of personnel, there can be no assurance that Protiviti will be successful in attracting and retaining clients.

        Protiviti Capitalization.    The Company incurred certain capitalizable costs in connection with the establishment of Protiviti. Because there can be no assurance that Protiviti will ultimately be successful, or, if so, that it will attain any specified level of success, some or all of the capitalizable costs incurred in connection with the establishment of Protiviti may ultimately become impaired and, therefore, written off.

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        Potential Liability.    The business of Protiviti consists of providing internal audit and business and technology risk consulting services. Liability could be incurred or litigation could be instituted against the Company or Protiviti for claims related to these activities or to prior transactions or activities. Because Protiviti has been in operation for less than one year, the Company cannot estimate the extent to which such liability or litigation may occur. There can be no assurance that such liability or litigation will not have a material adverse impact on Protiviti or the Company.


Item 2.    Properties

        The Company's headquarters operations are located in Menlo Park and Pleasanton, California. Placement activities are conducted through more than 320 offices located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Protiviti has more than 30 offices in the United States, France, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom. All of the offices are leased.


Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

        The Company is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to its business.


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

        No matter was submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

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PART II

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

        The Company's Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "RHI". On December 31, 2002, there were approximately 2,010 holders of record of the Common Stock.

        Following is a list by fiscal quarters of the sales prices of the stock, adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a stock dividend in June 2000:

 
  Sales Prices

2002

  High
  Low
4th Quarter   $21.65   $11.94
3rd Quarter   $25.20   $15.37
2nd Quarter   $29.30   $22.00
1st Quarter   $30.90   $23.50
 
  Sales Prices

2001

  High
  Low
4th Quarter   $27.89   $18.50
3rd Quarter   $27.71   $18.60
2nd Quarter   $30.90   $20.30
1st Quarter   $27.75   $20.94

        No cash dividends were paid in 2002 or 2001. The Company, as it deems appropriate, may continue to retain all earnings for use in its business or may consider paying a dividend in the future.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Plan Category

  Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
A

  Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
B

  Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column A)
C

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders   13,241,929   $ 13.04     3,545,690(b)(c)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(a)   15,823,963   $ 16.38     8,031,073(d)    
Total   29,065,892   $ 14.78   11,576,763          

(a)
These plans, by their terms, expressly prohibit any grants to directors or executive officers.

(b)
The Outside Directors' Option Plan, which has been approved by stockholders, provides for the automatic grant of an option to each outside director on the date of each Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The grant is 30,000 shares for new directors and 24,000 shares for continuing directors. The plan has no termination date. The table reflects the number of shares expected to be granted in 2003.

(c)
The Equity Incentive Plan, which has been approved by stockholders, makes available for stock option or restricted stock grants that number of shares that is equal to 2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of January 1 of that year. The aggregate authorization during any year may be granted in any combination of stock option or restricted stock grants. Any unused portion of an annual authorization expires at the end of the year. Grants may not be made under such plan subsequent to December 31, 2005. The table reflects the number of shares authorized for grant in 2003.

(d)
Includes 450,317 shares that may be issued in the form of restricted stock grants pursuant to the Restricted Stock Plan for Field Employees, which plan is described below.

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Description of Equity Plans Not Approved by Stockholders

        StockPlus Plan.    The StockPlus Plan authorizes the grant of stock options to employees other than directors and executive officers. No option may have a term of more than ten years.

        Stock Option Plan for Field Employees.    The Stock Option Plan for Field Employees authorizes the grant of stock options to employees or consultants other than directors and executive officers. No option may have a term of more than ten years.

        Restricted Stock Plan for Field Employees.    The Restricted Stock Plan for Field Employees authorizes the grant of shares of restricted stock to employees or consultants other than directors and executive officers. Recipients of awards do not pay for the stock, but the grants are subject to time-based vesting conditions.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

        Following is a table of selected financial data of the Company for the last five years:

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 

 

 

2002


 

2001


 

2000


 

1999


 

1998


 
 
  (in thousands)

 
Income Statement Data:                                
Net service revenues   $ 1,904,951   $ 2,452,850   $ 2,699,319   $ 2,081,321   $ 1,793,041  
Direct costs of services, consisting of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for temporary and risk consulting employees     1,190,216     1,436,272     1,538,556     1,219,270     1,070,834  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin     714,735     1,016,578     1,160,763     862,051     722,207  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     709,542     823,478     864,418     628,405     501,626  
Amortization of intangible assets     6,281     5,335     5,157     4,990     4,993  
Interest income, net     (4,585 )   (8,519 )   (10,439 )   (6,041 )   (5,588 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes     3,497     196,284     301,627     234,697     221,176  
Provision for income taxes     1,329     75,177     115,524     93,256     89,596  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income   $ 2,168   $ 121,107   $ 186,103   $ 141,441   $ 131,580  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Years Ended December 31,

 

 

2002


 

2001


 

2000


 

1999


 

1998

 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net Income Per Share:                              
  Basic   $ .01   $ .69   $ 1.05   $ .78   $ .72
  Diluted   $ .01   $ .67   $ 1.00   $ .77   $ .69
Shares:                              
  Basic     172,484     174,489     177,750     180,446     183,300
  Diluted     177,791     181,489     186,068     184,589     189,643
 
  December 31,

 

 

2002


 

2001


 

2000


 

1999


 

1998

 
  (in thousands)

Balance Sheet Data:                              
Intangible assets, net   $ 161,912   $ 160,632   $ 168,050   $ 175,747   $ 178,363
Total assets   $ 935,671   $ 994,162   $ 971,029   $ 777,188   $ 703,719
Debt financing   $ 2,480   $ 2,682   $ 3,764   $ 3,495   $ 4,712
Stockholders' equity   $ 744,966   $ 805,696   $ 718,539   $ 576,103   $ 522,470

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

        Certain information contained in Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other parts of this report may be deemed forward-looking statements regarding events and financial trends that may affect the Company's future operating results or financial positions. These statements may be identified by words such as "estimate", "forecast", "project", "plan", "intend", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", or variations or negatives thereof or by similar or comparable words or phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in levels of unemployment and other economic conditions in the U.S. or foreign countries where the Company does business, or in particular regions or industries; reduction in the supply of qualified candidates for temporary employment or the Company's ability to attract qualified candidates; the entry of new competitors into the marketplace or expansion by existing competitors; the ability of the Company to maintain existing client relationships and attract new clients in the context of changing economic or competitive conditions; the impact of competitive pressures, including any change in the demand for the Company's services, on the Company's ability to maintain its profit margins; the possibility of the Company incurring liability for its activities, including the activities of its temporary employees or for events impacting its temporary employees on clients' premises; the success of the Company in attracting, training and retaining qualified management personnel and other staff employees; whether governments will impose additional regulations or licensing requirements on personnel services businesses in particular or on employer/employee relationships in general; future success of the new Protiviti subsidiary will depend on its ability to retain employees and attract clients; significant costs and diversion of management time could be incurred in integrating key personnel into Protiviti; certain capitalizable costs associated with the Protiviti employment arrangements could become impaired and written off; failure of Protiviti to produce projected revenues could adversely affect financial results; and the possibility of involvement in litigation relating to prior transactions or activities. Further information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is contained in Item 1. Business under the heading "Risk Factors". Because long-term contracts are not a significant part of the Company's business, future results cannot be reliably predicted by considering past trends or extrapolating past results.

        In response to the SEC's Release No. 33-8040, "Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies," we identified the Company's most critical accounting policies to be those that involve subjective decisions, assessments or estimates.

        Accounts Receivable Allowances.    The Company maintains accounts receivable allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Estimates used in determining the accounts receivable allowances were based on current trends and historical loss statistics. Actual results may differ from these estimates, which may materially affect the Company's future financial results.

        Income Tax Assets and Liabilities.    In establishing its deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the Company makes judgments and interpretations based on the enacted tax laws and published tax guidance that are applicable to its operations. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities and evaluates the need for valuation allowances to reduce the deferred tax assets to realizable amounts. The likelihood of a material change in the Company's expected realization of these assets is dependent on future taxable income, its ability to use foreign tax credit carryforwards and carrybacks, final U.S. and foreign tax settlements, and the effectiveness of its tax planning strategies in the various relevant jurisdictions. While management believes that its judgments and interpretations regarding deferred income tax assets and liabilities are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience may materially affect the future financial results of the Company.

        Employee Retirement Plans.    The determination of the Company's obligations for certain employee retirement plans is dependent upon various assumptions, including, among others, interest rates, service periods, and future compensation levels. Management believes its assumptions are appropriate, however significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the Company's future financial results.

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        Goodwill Impairment.    In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142") the Company assesses the impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets annually, or more often if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. This assessment is based upon a discounted cash flow analysis. The estimate of cash flow is based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance and an appropriate discount rate determined by management. The Company's estimates of discounted cash flow may differ from actual cash flow due to, among other things, economic conditions, changes to its business model or changes in its operating performance. Significant differences between these estimates and actual cash flow could materially affect the future financial results of the Company. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test during the year ended December 31, 2002 and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required.

        Workers' Compensation.    The Company has established reserves for workers' compensation claims based on historical loss statistics. The Company self-insures or retains a portion of the exposure for losses related to workers' compensation. It is the Company's policy to record self-insurance reserves based upon claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. While management believes that its assumptions and estimates are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect the Company's future financial results.

        Stock Option Plans.    The Company has a long history of issuing stock options to employees and directors as an integral part of its compensation programs. Generally accepted accounting principles allow alternative methods of accounting for these plans. The Company has chosen to account for its stock option plans under APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" ("APB 25"). Under APB 25, the intrinsic value of the options is used to record compensation expense and, as a result, no compensation expense related to stock options is included in determining net income and net income per share in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The alternative method of accounting for stock options is prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123. Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements sets forth calculations of pro forma net income and net income per share computed in accordance with this method.

        Temporary and consultant staffing services revenues were $1.8 billion, $2.3 billion and $2.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, decreasing by 22% and 8% during 2002 and 2001, respectively. Permanent placement revenues were $100 million, $189 million and $252 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, decreasing by 47% and 25% in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Staffing services revenue results for year ended December 31, 2002 were adversely impacted by weak labor markets and soft general economic conditions, particularly in the United States. Risk consulting and internal audit services revenues were $42 million for the period May 24, 2002 (inception) to December 31, 2002. We expect total company revenues to continue to be negatively impacted by general macroeconomic conditions in 2003.

        The Company's temporary and permanent staffing services business has more than 320 offices in 42 states, the District of Columbia and ten foreign countries, while Protiviti has more than 30 offices in 21 states and four foreign countries. Revenues from domestic operations represented 83%, 85% and 89% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Revenues from foreign operations represented 17%, 15% and 11% of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

        Gross margin dollars from the Company's temporary and consultant staffing services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for temporary employees. Gross margin dollars from permanent placement staffing services are equal to revenues, as there are no direct costs associated with such revenues. Gross margin dollars for risk consulting and internal audit services represent revenues less direct costs of services, which consist primarily of professional staff payroll, payroll taxes, insurance costs and reimbursable expenses. Gross margin dollars for the Company's temporary and consultant staffing services were $628 million, $828 million and $908 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, decreasing by 24% and 9% in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Gross margin amounts equaled 36% of revenues for temporary and consultant staffing services for the year ended December 31, 2002, and 37% for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000. The lower 2002 temporary and consulting margin percentage is primarily due to lower temp-to-perm conversion fees, which carry higher margins. Gross margin dollars for

11


the Company's permanent placement staffing division were $100 million, $189 million and $252 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively, decreasing by 47% and 25% in 2002 and 2001, respectively. Gross margin dollars for the Company's risk consulting and internal audit division were negative $13 million for the period May 24, 2002 (inception) to December 31, 2002, which reflects fixed payroll costs that were not totally covered by revenues.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses were $710 million in 2002, compared to $823 million in 2001 and $864 million in 2000. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 37%, 34% and 32% for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of staff compensation, advertising, depreciation and occupancy costs. The percentage increase in 2002 was primarily due to negative leverage from fixed operating expenses including depreciation, occupancy costs and administrative compensation.

        For acquisitions, the Company allocates the excess of cost over the fair market value of the net tangible assets first to identifiable intangible assets, if any, and then to goodwill. The Company adopted SFAS 142 on January 1, 2002, resulting in the discontinuance of the amortization of goodwill that was being amortized over 40 years. The methods used for evaluating and measuring impairment of certain intangible assets have changed in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test during the year ended December 31, 2002 and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required. Net intangible assets represented 17% of total assets and 22% of total stockholders' equity at December 31, 2002.

        Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 was $5.5 million, $9.3 million and $11.3 million, respectively, while interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 was $.9 million, $.8 million and $.9 million, respectively. Higher average cash balances in 2002 were more than offset by lower interest rates during the year, yielding lower interest income.

        The provision for income taxes was 38% of income before taxes for each of the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

        The change in the Company's liquidity during the past three years is the net effect of funds generated by operations and the funds used for capital expenditures, the purchase of intangible assets, repurchases of common stock, and principal payments on outstanding notes payable. As of December 31, 2002, the Company has authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of up to 11.1 million additional shares of the Company's common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company repurchased approximately 6.9 million shares of common stock on the open market for a total cost of $132 million. Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable withholding taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2002, such repurchases totaled approximately 0.6 million shares at a cost of $15 million. Repurchases of securities have been funded with cash generated from operations. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company generated $166 million from operations, used $89 million in investing activities and used $107 million in financing activities. This is further enumerated in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

        The Company's working capital at December 31, 2002, included $317 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company's working capital requirements consist primarily of the financing of accounts receivable. While there can be no assurances in this regard, the Company expects that internally generated cash will be sufficient to support the working capital needs of the Company, the Company's fixed payments, and other obligations on both a short- and long-term basis. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had no material capital commitments. In connection with the formation of Protiviti, the Company became the guarantor of certain former Andersen partners' capital notes, which totaled approximately $4 million at December 31, 2002.


Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

        The Company's market risk sensitive instruments do not subject the Company to material market risk exposures.

12



Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 
  December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
 

ASSETS:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

316,927

 

$

346,768

 
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $12,578 and $14,363     223,396     272,886  
Deferred income taxes and other current assets     102,849     66,352  
   
 
 
  Total current assets     643,172     686,006  
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net     161,912     160,632  
Property and equipment, net     130,587     147,524  
   
 
 
  Total assets   $ 935,671   $ 994,162  
   
 
 

LIABILITIES:

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

$

47,807

 

$

33,384

 
Accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations     136,342     143,061  
Current portion of notes payable and other indebtedness     66     202  
   
 
 
  Total current liabilities     184,215     176,647  
Notes payable and other indebtedness, less current portion     2,414     2,480  
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities     4,076     9,339  
   
 
 
  Total liabilities     190,705     188,466  
   
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies              
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:  

Common stock, $.001 par value authorized 260,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 170,909,002 and 174,928,587 shares

 

 

171

 

 

175

 
Capital surplus     543,457     487,083  
Deferred compensation     (46,311 )   (64,792 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income     846     (8,025 )
Retained earnings     246,803     391,255  
   
 
 
  Total stockholders' equity     744,966     805,696  
   
 
 
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 935,671   $ 994,162  
   
 
 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.

13



ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
 

Net service revenues

 

$

1,904,951

 

$

2,452,850

 

$

2,699,319

 
Direct costs of services, consisting of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for temporary and risk consulting employees     1,190,216     1,436,272     1,538,556  
   
 
 
 
Gross margin     714,735     1,016,578     1,160,763  
Selling, general and administrative expenses     709,542     823,478     864,418  
Amortization of intangible assets     6,281     5,335     5,157  
Interest income, net     (4,585 )   (8,519 )   (10,439 )
   
 
 
 
Income before income taxes     3,497     196,284     301,627  
Provision for income taxes     1,329     75,177     115,524  
   
 
 
 
Net income   $ 2,168   $ 121,107   $ 186,103  
   
 
 
 

Basic net income per share

 

$

..01

 

$

..69

 

$

1.05

 
Diluted net income per share   $ .01   $ .67   $ 1.00  

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.

14



ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
COMMON STOCK—SHARES:                    
  Balance at beginning of period     174,929     176,050     176,148  
  Issuances of restricted stock     725     822     1,123  
  Repurchases of common stock     (7,431 )   (5,057 )   (4,606 )
  Exercises of stock options     2,686     3,114     3,385  
   
 
 
 
    Balance at end of period     170,909     174,929     176,050  
   
 
 
 
COMMON STOCK—PAR VALUE:                    
  Balance at beginning of period   $ 175   $ 176   $ 176  
  Issuances of restricted stock     1     1     1  
  Repurchases of common stock and common stock equivalents     (8 )   (5 )   (5 )
  Exercises of stock options     3     3     4  
   
 
 
 
    Balance at end of period   $ 171   $ 175   $ 176  
   
 
 
 
CAPITAL SURPLUS:                    
  Balance at beginning of period   $ 487,083   $ 406,471   $ 303,004  
  Issuances of restricted stock—excess over par value     5,957     22,727     53,427  
  Exercises of stock options—excess over par value     39,300     36,331     25,362  
  Tax impact of equity incentive plans     11,117     21,554     24,678  
   
 
 
 
    Balance at end of period   $ 543,457   $ 487,083   $ 406,471  
   
 
 
 
DEFERRED COMPENSATION:                    
  Balance at beginning of period   $ (64,792 ) $ (72,870 ) $ (54,127 )
  Issuances of restricted stock     (5,958 )   (22,728 )   (53,428 )
  Amortization of deferred compensation     24,439     30,806     34,685  
   
 
 
 
    Balance at end of period   $ (46,311 ) $ (64,792 ) $ (72,870 )
   
 
 
 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:                    
  Balance at beginning of period   $ (8,025 ) $ (4,192 ) $ (2,419 )
  Translation adjustments     8,871     (3,833 )   (1,773 )
   
 
 
 
    Balance at end of period   $ 846   $ (8,025 ) $ (4,192 )
   
 
 
 
RETAINED EARNINGS:                    
  Balance at beginning of period   $ 391,255   $ 388,954   $ 329,469  
  Repurchases of common stock and common stock equivalents—excess over par value     (146,620 )   (118,806 )   (126,618 )
  Net income     2,168     121,107     186,103  
   
 
 
 
    Balance at end of period   $ 246,803   $ 391,255   $ 388,954  
   
 
 
 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:                    
  Net income   $ 2,168   $ 121,107   $ 186,103  
  Translation adjustments     8,871     (3,833 )   (1,773 )
   
 
 
 
    Total comprehensive income   $ 11,039   $ 117,274   $ 184,330  
   
 
 
 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.

15



ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Net income   $ 2,168   $ 121,107   $ 186,103  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                    
      Amortization of intangible assets     6,281     5,335     5,157  
      Depreciation expense     66,027     67,781     51,482  
      Provision for deferred income taxes     567     (11,419 )   (16,156 )
      Tax impact of equity incentive plans     11,117     21,554     24,678  
    Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:                    
      (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable     50,587     117,483     (80,675 )
      Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued payroll costs     16,052     (58,018 )   60,697  
      Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable         (2,619 )   2,555  
      Change in other assets, net of change in other liabilities, including 2002 deferred compensation amortization of $24,439     12,788     14,626     33,227  
   
 
 
 
    Total adjustments     163,419     154,723     80,965  
   
 
 
 
  Net cash flows provided by operating activities     165,587     275,830     267,068  
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Purchase of intangible assets and other assets     (19,228 )       (3,153 )
  Capital expenditures     (48,300 )   (84,695 )   (73,992 )
  Deposits to trusts for employee benefits and retirement plans     (21,336 )        
   
 
 
 
  Net cash flows used in investing activities     (88,864 )   (84,695 )   (77,145 )
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                    
  Repurchases of common stock and common stock equivalents     (145,665 )   (118,811 )   (126,623 )
  Principal payments on notes payable and other indebtedness     (202 )   (1,082 )   (548 )
  Proceeds from exercises of stock options     39,303     36,334     25,366  
   
 
 
 
  Net cash flows used in financing activities     (106,564 )   (83,559 )   (101,805 )
   
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (29,841 )   107,576     88,118  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     346,768     239,192     151,074  
   
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 316,927   $ 346,768   $ 239,192  
   
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                    
  Cash paid during the year for:                    
    Interest   $ 308   $ 322   $ 336  
    Income taxes, net of refunds   $ 8,803   $ 71,274   $ 101,256  
                     
  Purchase of intangible assets and other assets:                    
    Assets acquired                    
      Intangible assets   $ 17,926   $   $ 4,051  
      Other     1,490         780  
    Liabilities incurred                    
      Notes payable and contracts             (1,132 )
      Other     (188 )       (546 )
   
 
 
 
    Cash paid, net of cash acquired   $ 19,228   $   $ 3,153  
   
 
 
 
    Non-cash items:                    
      Stock repurchases awaiting settlement   $ 963   $   $  

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these financial statements.

16



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

        Nature of Operations.    Robert Half International Inc. (the "Company") provides specialized staffing and risk consulting services through such divisions as Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting, OfficeTeam®, Robert Half® Technology, Robert Half® Management Resources, The Affiliates®, The Creative Group®, and ProtivitiSM. The Company, through its Accountemps, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and Robert Half Management Resources divisions, is the world's largest specialized provider of temporary, full-time, and project professionals in the fields of accounting and finance. OfficeTeam specializes in highly skilled temporary administrative support personnel. Robert Half Technology provides information technology professionals. The Affiliates provides temporary, project, and full-time staffing of attorneys and specialized support personnel within law firms and corporate legal departments. The Creative Group provides project staffing in the advertising, marketing, and web design fields. Protiviti began operations on May 24, 2002, and provides business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services. Protiviti, which primarily employs risk consulting and internal audit professionals formerly associated with major accounting firms, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Revenues are predominantly derived from specialized staffing services. The Company operates in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company is a Delaware corporation.

        Basis of Presentation.    The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included.

        Principles of Consolidation.    The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. All significant intercompany balances have been eliminated.

        Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. As of December 31, 2002, such estimates included reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable, workers' compensation losses, legal claims, income and other taxes, and certain employee retirement plans.

        Revenue Recognition.    Temporary and consultant staffing services revenues are recognized when the services are rendered by the Company's temporary employees. Permanent placement staffing revenues are recognized when employment candidates accept offers of permanent employment. Allowances are established to estimate losses due to placed candidates not remaining employed for the Company's guarantee period, typically 90 days. Risk consulting and internal audit services revenues are recognized as services are provided. Reimbursements, including those relating to travel and out-of-pocket expenses, are included in revenues, and equivalent amounts of reimbursable expenses are included in direct costs of services.

        Costs of Services.    Direct costs of staffing services consist of payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs for the Company's temporary employees. There are no direct costs associated with permanent placement staffing services. Risk consulting and internal audit costs of services include professional staff payroll, payroll taxes and insurance costs, as well as reimbursable expenses.

        Advertising Costs.    The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred.

        Cash and Cash Equivalents.    The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less as cash equivalents.

        Intangible Assets.    Intangible assets primarily consist of the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair market value of their net tangible assets at the date of acquisition, which were being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 40 years through December 31, 2001. The Company adopted SFAS 142 on January 1, 2002, under which goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its estimated useful life. The methods used for evaluating and measuring impairment of certain intangible assets have changed in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 142. The Company completed its annual goodwill

17



impairment test during the year ended December 31, 2002, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required.

        Income Tax Assets and Liabilities.    In establishing its deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the Company makes judgments and interpretations based on the enacted tax laws and published tax guidance that are applicable to its operations. The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities and evaluates the need for valuation allowances to reduce the deferred tax assets to realizable amounts. The likelihood of a material change in the Company's expected realization of these assets is dependent on future taxable income, its ability to use foreign tax credit carryforwards and carrybacks, final U.S. and foreign tax settlements, and the effectiveness of its tax planning strategies in the various relevant jurisdictions.

        Foreign Currency Translation.    The results of operations of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are translated at the monthly average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The financial position of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is translated at the current exchange rates at the end of the period, and the related translation adjustments are recorded as a component of comprehensive income within Stockholders' Equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income, and have not been material for all periods presented.

        Stock Option Plans.    The Company accounts for its stock option plans in accordance with APB 25. Under APB 25, the intrinsic value of the options is used to record compensation expense and, as a result, no compensation expense related to stock options is included in determining net income and net income per share in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements sets forth calculations of pro forma net income and net income per share computed in accordance with the method prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123.

        Property and Equipment.    Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:

Computer hardware   3 years
Computer software   2 to 5 years
Furniture and equipment   5 years
Leasehold improvements   Term of lease, 5 years maximum

        Internal-use Software.    The Company capitalizes direct costs of services used in the development of internal-use software. Amounts capitalized are reported as a component of computer software within property and equipment. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company capitalized approximately $15.6 million of internal-use software development costs.

Note B—New Accounting Pronouncements

        In November 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN 45"), "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others." FIN 45 requires that a liability be recorded in the guarantor's balance sheet upon issuance of a guarantee. In addition, FIN 45 requires disclosures about the guarantees that an entity has issued. The initial recognition and initial measurement provisions of FIN 45 are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002, irrespective of the guarantor's fiscal year-end. The disclosure requirements of FIN 45 are effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods ending after December 15, 2002. The Company believes that the adoption of this standard will have no material impact on its financial statements.

        In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 ("SFAS 148"), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Transition and Disclosure." SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS 148 also requires that disclosures of the pro forma effect of using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation be displayed more prominently and in a tabular format. Additionally, SFAS 148 requires disclosure of the pro forma effect in interim financial statements. The transition and annual disclosure requirements of SFAS 148 are effective

18



for fiscal years ended after December 15, 2002. The interim disclosure requirements are effective for interim periods ending after December 15, 2002. The Company believes that the adoption of this standard will have no material impact on its financial statements.

Note C—Deferred Income Taxes and Other Current Assets

        As of December 31, 2002, deferred income taxes and other current assets consisted primarily of $28.9 million of deferred income taxes, $29.7 million of amounts on deposit in irrevocable grantor trusts related to employee benefit and retirement plans, and $24.1 million of income taxes receivable.

Note D—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net

        The following table sets forth the activity in the intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2002 (in thousands):

 
  Goodwill
  Other Intangible Assets
  Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2001   $ 141,492   $ 19,140   $ 160,632  
Purchase of intangible assets     1,625     16,301     17,926  
Translation adjustments     848         848  
Decrease in unamortized retirement costs         (11,213 )   (11,213 )
   
 
 
 
      143,965     24,228     168,193  

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 


 

 

(6,281

)

 

(6,281

)
   
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2002   $ 143,965   $ 17,947   $ 161,912  
   
 
 
 

        The Company adopted SFAS 142 on January 1, 2002, resulting in the discontinuance of the amortization of goodwill that was being amortized over 40 years. Under SFAS 142, goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its estimated useful life. Had goodwill not been amortized in the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company's pro forma net income and net income per share would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
Net Income                  
  As reported   $ 2,168   $ 121,107   $ 186,103
  Goodwill amortization, net of income tax effects         3,308     3,197
   
 
 
  Pro forma   $ 2,168   $ 124,415   $ 189,300
   
 
 
Net Income Per Share                  
  Basic                  
    As reported   $ .01   $ .69   $ 1.05
    Goodwill amortization         .02     .02
   
 
 
    Pro forma   $ .01   $ .71   $ 1.07
  Diluted                  
    As reported   $ .01   $ .67   $ 1.00
    Goodwill amortization         .02     .02
   
 
 
    Pro forma   $ .01   $ .69   $ 1.02

        The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test during the year ended December 31, 2002, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required. The Company will perform annual assessments for impairment, applying a discounted cash flow-based test to its reportable units, which are its various lines of business.

19



        On May 23, 2002, the Company completed its arrangement to hire professionals formerly associated with a major accounting firm's U.S. risk consulting and internal audit practices. These professionals comprise the talent base of Protiviti Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which provides business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services. The Company paid $16.1 million, including transaction costs, to secure the release of Protiviti employees from their covenants not to compete or solicit. Subsequently, the Company made additional risk consulting business acquisitions of $3.1 million and recorded intangible assets of $2.6 million as a result. Substantially all of these intangible assets are being amortized over 18 months and will become fully amortized in 2003, resulting in estimated 2003 amortization expense of $10.0 million.

Note E—Property and Equipment, Net

        Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
  December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
 
Furniture and equipment   $ 87,154   $ 82,499  
Computer hardware     88,724     79,423  
Computer software     137,182     109,557  
Leasehold improvements     56,851     51,899  
Other     11,027     9,700  
   
 
 
Property and equipment, cost     380,938     333,078  
Accumulated depreciation     (250,351 )   (185,554 )
   
 
 
Property and equipment, net   $ 130,587   $ 147,524  
   
 
 

Note F—Accrued Payroll Costs and Retirement Obligations

        Accrued payroll costs and retirement obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
  December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
Payroll and bonuses   $ 65,944   $ 68,019
Employee benefits and retirement obligations     48,198     54,517
Workers' compensation     14,083     14,841
Payroll taxes     8,117     5,684
   
 
    $ 136,342   $ 143,061
   
 

Note G—Notes Payable and Other Indebtedness

        The Company issued promissory notes as well as other forms of indebtedness in connection with certain acquisitions and other payment obligations. These are due in varying installments, carry varying interest rates and, in aggregate, amounted to $2.5 million at December 31, 2002 and $2.7 million at December 31, 2001. At December 31, 2002, $2.3 million of the notes were collateralized by a standby letter of credit. The following table shows the schedule of maturities for notes payable and other indebtedness at December 31, 2002 (in thousands):

2003   $ 66
2004     71
2005     77
2006     83
2007     89
Thereafter     2,094
   
    $ 2,480
   

20


        At December 31, 2002, the notes carried fixed rates and the weighted average interest rate for the above was approximately 8.5%, 8.2% and 8.3% for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Note H—Income Taxes

        The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
Current:                    
  Federal   $ (5,132 ) $ 63,941   $ 104,876  
  State     2,101     11,634     18,518  
  Foreign     3,793     11,021     8,286  
Deferred—principally domestic     567     (11,419 )   (16,156 )
   
 
 
 
    $ 1,329   $ 75,177   $ 115,524  
   
 
 
 

        Income (loss) before the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
Domestic   $ (5,717 ) $ 171,216   $ 281,546
Foreign     9,214     25,068     20,081
   
 
 
    $ 3,497   $ 196,284   $ 301,627
   
 
 

        The income taxes shown above varied from the statutory federal income tax rates for these periods as follows:

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
Federal U.S. income tax rate   35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit   .8   3.4   3.4  
Amortization of intangible assets     .5   .3  
Tax-free interest income   (12.4 ) (.5 ) (.4 )
Non-deductible expenses   22.5   .5   .4  
Non-U.S. income taxed at different rates, net of foreign tax credits   (2.6 ) (.4 ) (.1 )
Other, net   (5.3 ) (.2 ) (.3 )
   
 
 
 
Effective tax rate   38.0 % 38.3 % 38.3 %
   
 
 
 

21


        The deferred portion of the tax provision consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
Amortization of franchise rights   $ 509   $ (72 ) $ (75 )
Amortization of other intangibles     (2,087 )        
Accrued expenses, deducted for tax when paid     6,675     (9,475 )   (17,779 )
Capitalized costs for books, deducted for tax     6,069     9,388     9,704  
Depreciation     (7,627 )   (12,254 )   (8,375 )
Other, net     (2,972 )   994     369  
   
 
 
 
    $ 567   $ (11,419 ) $ (16,156 )
   
 
 
 

        The deferred income tax amounts included on the balance sheet are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 
  December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
Current deferred income tax assets, net   $ 28,893   $ 33,447
Long-term deferred income tax assets, net     4,591     604
   
 
    $ 33,484   $ 34,051
   
 

        The components of the deferred income tax amounts at December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows (in thousands):

 
  December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
 
Amortization of intangible assets   $ (12,949 ) $ (14,528 )
Accrued expenses, deducted for tax when paid     17,998     23,767  
Property and equipment basis differences     21,103     13,476  
Provision for bad debts     4,644     5,349  
Other, net     4,577     5,987  
Net operating loss carryforward—valuation allowance     (1,889 )    
   
 
 
      $ 33,484   $ 34,051  
   
 
 

        The company has net operating loss carryforwards in a number of states. The tax benefit of these net operating losses is $3.4 million. These net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2007 and later. The company has a foreign tax credit of $1.4 million which expires in 2006. Accrued expenses, deducted for tax when paid include approximately $6.1 million related to 2002 property and equipment additions.

        Except for Canada, U.S. income taxes were not provided for on earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries. The Company intends to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in operations outside the United States.

Note I—Commitments and Contingencies

        Rental expense, primarily for office premises, amounted to $69.7 million, $62.8 million and $47.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively. The approximate

22



minimum rental commitments for 2003 and thereafter under non-cancelable leases in effect at December 31, 2002 were as follows (in thousands):

2003   $ 61,671
2004   $ 55,990
2005   $ 50,367
2006   $ 40,015
2007   $ 30,390
Thereafter   $ 79,454

        The Company is involved in a number of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. While management does not expect any of these matters to have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows, litigation is subject to certain inherent uncertainties.

        In connection with the formation of Protiviti, the Company became the guarantor of certain employee notes totaling $4 million at December 31, 2002.

Note J—Stockholders' Equity

        Stock Repurchase Program.    As of December 31, 2002, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase, from time to time, of up to 11.1 million additional shares of the Company's common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company repurchased approximately 6.9 million shares on the open market for a total cost of $132 million. Since the inception of the repurchase program in 1997, the Company has repurchased approximately 26.9 million shares of common stock on the open market pursuant to this program. Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of applicable withholding taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2002, such repurchases totaled approximately 0.6 million shares at a cost of $15 million.

Note K—Stock Plans

        Under various stock plans, officers, employees and outside directors may receive grants of restricted stock or options to purchase common stock. Grants are made at the discretion of the Stock Plan Committee of the Board of Directors. Grants generally vest between two and four years.

        Options granted under the plans have exercise prices ranging from 85% to 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant and may consist of both incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options under the Internal Revenue Code. The terms range from 27 months to 10 years.

        Recipients of restricted stock do not pay any cash consideration to the Company for the shares, have the right to vote all shares subject to such grant, and receive all dividends with respect to such shares, whether or not the shares have vested. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Vesting is accelerated upon the death or disability of the recipients.

        The Company accounts for these plans under APB 25. Therefore, the intrinsic value of the options is used to record compensation expense and, as a result, no compensation expense has been recognized for its stock option plans. Had compensation expense for the stock options granted subsequent to January 1, 1995, been based on the estimated fair value at the award dates, as prescribed by Statement of Financial

23



Accounting Standards No. 123, the Company's pro forma net income and net income per share would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
Net Income (Loss)                  
  As reported   $ 2,168   $ 121,107   $ 186,103
  Stock-based employee compensation expense, net of income tax effects     32,335     29,977     22,012
   
 
 
  Pro forma   $ (30,167 ) $ 91,130   $ 164,091
   
 
 

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Basic                  
    As reported   $ .01   $ .69   $ 1.05
    Pro forma   $ (.17 ) $ .52   $ .92
  Diluted                  
    As reported   $ .01   $ .67   $ 1.00
    Pro forma   $ (.17 ) $ .51   $ .89

        The pro forma amounts do not include amounts for stock options granted before January 1, 1995. Therefore, the pro forma amounts may not be representative of the disclosed effects on pro forma net income and net income per share for future years.

        The fair value of each option is estimated, as of the grant date, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions used for grants in 2002, 2001 and 2000: no dividend yield for any year; expected volatility of 48% to 60%; risk-free interest rates of 2.3% to 6.8%; and expected lives of 1.5 to 5.8 years.

        The following table reflects activity under all stock plans from December 31, 1999 through December 31, 2002, and the weighted average exercise prices (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
   
  Stock Option Plans
 
  Restricted
Stock Plans

  Number of
Shares

  Weighted
Average Price
Per Share

Outstanding, December 31, 1999   5,454   25,573   $ 12.05
  Granted   1,006   5,567   $ 17.92
  Exercised     (3,382 ) $ 7.49
  Restrictions lapsed   (1,502 )    
  Forfeited   (77 ) (1,922 ) $ 15.64
   
 
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2000   4,881   25,836   $ 13.60
  Granted   1,083   6,889   $ 22.45
  Exercised     (3,113 ) $ 11.82
  Restrictions lapsed   (1,643 )    
  Forfeited   (270 ) (2,875 ) $ 19.16
   
 
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2001   4,051   26,737   $ 15.80
  Granted   1,069   6,683   $ 20.24
  Exercised     (2,686 ) $ 16.96
  Restrictions lapsed   (1,286 )    
  Forfeited   (332 ) (1,668 ) $ 21.13
   
 
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2002   3,502   29,066   $ 16.38
   
 
 

24


Note K—Stock Plans (Continued)

        The following table summarizes information about options outstanding as of December 31, 2002 (in thousands, except number of years and per share amounts):

 
  Options Outstanding
  Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices

  Number
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2002

  Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life

  Weighted Average
Exercise Price

  Number
Exercisable as of
December 31, 2002

  Weighted Average
Exercise Price

$1.03 to $10.41   6,702   3.74   $ 7.43   6,155   $ 7.17
$11.28 to $16.11   6,253   6.52   $ 13.39   3,682   $ 12.46
$16.69 to $19.95   6,257   7.28   $ 18.50   3,543   $ 18.98
$19.97 to $22.56   6,697   6.08   $ 21.90   3,309   $ 21.84
$22.70 to $34.75   3,157   7.11   $ 25.44   712   $ 25.66
   
 
 
 
 
    29,066   6.00   $ 16.38   17,401   $ 14.24
   
 
 
 
 

        At December 31, 2002, the total number of available shares to grant under the plans (consisting of either restricted stock or options) was 8.0 million. Of the 29.0 million options outstanding at December 31, 2002, 17.4 million options were vested with a weighted average exercise price of $14.24, and 11.6 million options were unvested with a weighted average exercise price of $19.59.

Note L—Net Income Per Share

        The calculation of net income per share for the three years ended December 31, 2002 is reflected in the following table (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
Net Income   $ 2,168   $ 121,107   $ 186,103
Basic:                  
  Weighted average shares     172,484     174,489     177,750
   
 
 
Diluted:                  
  Weighted average shares     172,484     174,489     177,750
  Common stock equivalents—stock options     5,307     7,000     8,318
   
 
 
  Diluted shares     177,791     181,489     186,068
   
 
 
Net Income Per Share:                  
  Basic   $ .01   $ .69   $ 1.05
  Diluted   $ .01   $ .67   $ 1.00

        The weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2002 excludes the dilutive effect of approximately 5.2 million options, since such options have an exercise price in excess of the 2002 average market value of the Company's common stock. Had such options been included, the dilutive effect would have been calculated using the treasury method.

Note M—Business Segments

        The Company has three reportable segments: temporary and consultant staffing, permanent placement staffing, and risk consulting services. The temporary and consultant segment provides specialized staffing in the accounting and finance, administrative and office, information technology, legal, advertising, marketing and web design fields. The permanent placement segment provides full-time personnel in the accounting, finance, administrative and office, and information technology fields. The risk consulting segment provides business and technology risk consulting and internal audit services.

        The accounting policies of the segments are set forth in Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The Company evaluates performance based on profit or loss from operations before interest income, intangible amortization expense, and income taxes.

25



        The following table provides a reconciliation of revenue and operating profit by reportable segment to consolidated results (in thousands):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
 
Net service revenues                    
  Temporary and consultant staffing   $ 1,763,218   $ 2,264,162   $ 2,446,869  
  Permanent placement staffing     100,029     188,688     252,450  
  Risk consulting and internal audit services     41,704          
   
 
 
 
    $ 1,904,951   $ 2,452,850   $ 2,699,319  
   
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)                    
  Temporary and consultant staffing   $ 47,404   $ 172,763   $ 232,411  
  Permanent placement staffing     (6,852 )   20,337     63,934  
  Risk consulting and internal audit services     (35,359 )        
   
 
 
 
      5,193     193,100     296,345  

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

6,281

 

 

5,335

 

 

5,157

 
Interest income, net     (4,585 )   (8,519 )   (10,439 )
   
 
 
 
Income before income taxes   $ 3,497   $ 196,284   $ 301,627  
   
 
 
 

        The Company does not report total assets by segment. The following table represents identifiable assets by business segment (in thousands):

 
  December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
Accounts receivable            
  Temporary and consultant staffing   $ 208,731   $ 262,968
  Permanent placement staffing     15,559     24,281
  Risk consulting and internal audit services     11,684    
   
 
    $ 235,974   $ 287,249
   
 

        The Company operates internationally, with operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The following tables represent revenues and long-lived assets by geographic location (in thousands):

 
  Years Ended December 31,
 
  2002
  2001
  2000
Revenues                  
  Domestic   $ 1,573,152   $ 2,089,222   $ 2,397,065
  Foreign     331,799     363,628     302,254
   
 
 
    $ 1,904,951   $ 2,452,850   $ 2,699,319
   
 
 
 
  December 31,
   
 
  2002
  2001
   
Assets, long-lived            
  Domestic   $267,444   $282,439    
  Foreign   25,055   25,717    
   
 
   
    $292,499   $308,156    
   
 
   

26


Note N—Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

        The following tabulation shows certain quarterly financial data for 2002 and 2001 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
  Quarter
   
2002

  Year Ended December 31,
  1
  2
  3
  4
Net service revenues   $ 468,471   $ 473,121   $ 484,778   $ 478,581   $ 1,904,951
Gross margin   $ 184,901   $ 183,118   $ 175,436   $ 171,280   $ 714,735
Income (loss) before income taxes   $ 14,697   $ 5,153   $ (4,954 ) $ (11,399 ) $ 3,497
Net income (loss)   $ 9,112   $ 3,195   $ (3,072 ) $ (7,067 ) $ 2,168

Basic net income (loss) per share

 

$

..05

 

$

..02

 

$

(.02

)

$

(.04

)

$

..01
Diluted net income (loss) per share   $ .05   $ .02   $ (.02 ) $ (.04 ) $ .01
 
  Quarter
   
2001

  Year Ended December 31,
  1
  2
  3
  4
Net service revenues   $ 719,273   $ 648,404   $ 574,690   $ 510,483   $ 2,452,850
Gross margin   $ 310,986   $ 272,763   $ 230,565   $ 202,264   $ 1,016,578
Income before income taxes   $ 77,077   $ 61,128   $ 37,516   $ 20,563   $ 196,284
Net income   $ 47,557   $ 37,716   $ 23,147   $ 12,687   $ 121,107

Basic net income per share

 

$

..27

 

$

..22

 

$

..13

 

$

..07

 

$

..69
Diluted net income per share   $ .26   $ .21   $ .13   $ .07   $ .67

27



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of Robert Half International Inc.:

        In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2002 and the related consolidated statements of income, of stockholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Robert Half International Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. The financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2001, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2001, were audited by other independent accountants who have ceased operations. Those independent accountants expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements in their report dated January 18, 2002.

        As further described in Note D to the financial statements, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," became effective for calendar year filing companies on January 1, 2002. As a result, the Company ceased amortizing goodwill as of January 1, 2002 and as required by SFAS 142, amended its footnote disclosure to provide comparative pro-forma information for the two years ended December 31, 2001. As discussed above, the financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2001, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2001, were audited by other independent accountants who have ceased operations. We audited the pro forma disclosures described in Note D. In our opinion, the pro forma disclosures for 2001 and 2000 in Note D are appropriate. However, we were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2001 or 2000 financial statements of the Company other than with respect to such disclosures and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2001 or 2000 financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Francisco, California
January 22, 2003

28


        This is a copy of the audit report previously issued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with Robert Half International Inc.'s filing on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. This audit report has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with this filing on Form 10-K. See Exhibit 23.2 for further discussion. This audit report was issued before our adoption of SFAS 142 on January 1, 2002.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors
of Robert Half International Inc.:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Robert Half International Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Robert Half International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.


 

 

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

San Francisco, California
January 18, 2002

29



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

        Prior to April 24, 2002, Arthur Andersen LLP served as the Company's independent accountants. On April 24, 2002, the Company reached a tentative agreement with Andersen to hire partners and other employees within Andersen's U.S. internal audit and business risk consulting practices. Andersen and the Company's Board of Directors and Audit Committee determined that execution of the agreement would cause Andersen to no longer be independent. The Company's auditing relationship with Andersen was therefore severed by mutual agreement effective April 24, 2002.

        During the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000, and the subsequent interim periods through the termination of the relationship with Andersen, there was no disagreement between Andersen and the Company, as defined in Item 304 of Regulation S-K, on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to Andersen's satisfaction, would have caused Andersen to make reference to the subject matter of such disagreement in connection with its reports, and there occurred no reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

        The audit reports of Andersen on the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2000 did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

        The Company provided Andersen with a copy of the foregoing statements. Exhibit 16 is a copy of Andersen's letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission dated April 26, 2002, stating its agreement with such statements.

        On July 16, 2002, the Company engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as its independent accountant. From January 1, 2000, through such date, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted PricewaterhouseCoopers regarding either (a) the application of accounting principles to any specified transaction, either completed or proposed, (b) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company's financial statements or (c) any disagreement or reportable event described in Section 304(a) of Regulation S-K.


PART III

        The information required by Items 10 through 13 of Part III is incorporated by reference from Item 5 of this Report and from the registrant's Proxy Statement, under the captions "Nomination and Election of Directors," "Beneficial Stock Ownership," "Compensation of Directors," "Compensation of Executive Officers" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation and Certain Transactions," which Proxy Statement will be mailed to stockholders in connection with the registrant's annual meeting of stockholders which is scheduled to be held in May 2003.


Item 14. Controls and Procedures

        During the 90-day period prior to the filing date of this report, management, including the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

        There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date that the Company carried out its evaluation.


PART IV

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

(a)
1.    Financial Statements

        The following consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in Item 8 of this report:

30



2.
Financial Statement Schedules
3.
Exhibits

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit


   
3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2001.

3.2

 

By-Laws, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1999.

4.1

 

Indenture dated as of October 1, 1972, as amended, between IDS Realty Trust and First National Bank of Minneapolis, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 6(t) and 6(v) to the Form S-14 Registration Statement of the Registrant (formerly known as Boothe Interim Corporation) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 31, 1979.

4.2

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.1).

*10.1

 

Form of Power of Attorney and Indemnification Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2002.

*10.2

 

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Harold M. Messmer, Jr., incorporated by reference to (i) Exhibit 10.(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1985, (ii) Exhibit 10.2(b) to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-15171), (iii) Exhibit 10.2(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987, (iv) Exhibit 10.2(d) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, (v) Exhibit 28.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1990, (vi) Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1991, (vii) Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1993, (viii) Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993, (ix) Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1995, (x) Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, (xi) Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, (xii) Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, (xiii) Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and (xiv) Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.

*10.3

 

Key Executive Retirement Plan—Level II, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

 

 

 

31



*10.4

 

Restated Retirement Agreement, as amended, between the Registrant and Harold M. Messmer, Jr. incorporated by reference to (i) Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 and (ii) Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.

*10.5

 

Excise Tax Restoration Agreement dated November 5, 1996, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

*10.6

 

Outside Directors' Option Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2000.

*10.7

 

Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2000.

*10.8

 

Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989.

*10.9

 

Annual Performance Bonus Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2000.

*10.10

 

Severance Agreement dated as of August 2, 2000, between Registrant and Paul F. Gentzkow, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2000.

*10.11

 

Agreement dated as of July 31, 1995, between Registrant and Paul F. Gentzkow, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2000.

*10.12

 

Severance Agreement dated as of October 1, 1991, between Registrant and Paul F. Gentzkow, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2000.

*10.13

 

Form of Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.

*10.14

 

Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.

*10.15

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to (i) Exhibit 10.27 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989 and (ii)  Exhibit 10.19 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993.

*10.16

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement for Executive Officers of Registrant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2000.

*10.17

 

Senior Executive Retirement Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

*10.18

 

Collateral Assignment of Split Dollar Insurance Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2000.

*10.19

 

Form of Part-Time Employment Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2001.

10.20

 

StockPlus Plan.

 

 

 

32



10.21

 

Restricted Stock Plan for Field Employees.

10.22

 

Stock Option Plan for Field Employees.

16

 

Letter re Change in Certifying Accountant, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 16 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 2002.

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1

 

Accountant's Consent.

23.2

 

Notice Regarding Consent of Former Accountants.

99.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

99.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

*
Management contract or compensatory plan.

(b)
Reports on Form 8-K

33



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.

  ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC.
                          (Registrant)

Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
M. KEITH WADDELL      
M. Keith Waddell

Vice Chairman, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)

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


Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
HAROLD M. MESSMER, JR.      
Harold M. Messmer, Jr.
Chairman of the Board, President,
Chief Executive Officer,
and a Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
ANDREW S. BERWICK, JR.      
Andrew S. Berwick, Jr., Director

Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
FREDERICK P. FURTH      
Frederick P. Furth, Director

Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
EDWARD W. GIBBONS      
Edward W. Gibbons, Director

Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
THOMAS J. RYAN      
Thomas J. Ryan, Director

Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
J. STEPHEN SCHAUB      
J. Stephen Schaub, Director

Date: March 26, 2003

By:

 

/s/  
M. KEITH WADDELL      
M. Keith Waddell
Vice Chairman, Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer and a Director
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)

34


Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Harold M. Messmer, Jr., certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Robert Half International Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c)
presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)
all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
6.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

        Date: March 26, 2003

    /s/  HAROLD M. MESSMER, JR.      
Harold M. Messmer, Jr.
Chairman, President & CEO
   

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, M. Keith Waddell, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Robert Half International Inc.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this annual report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have:

a)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared;

b)
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c)
presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
5.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)
all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
6.
The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

        Date: March 26, 2003

    /s/  M. KEITH WADDELL      
M. Keith Waddell
Vice Chairman, Treasurer & CFO
   

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

        To the Board of Directors of Robert Half International Inc.:

        Our audit of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated January 22, 2003 appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K also included an audit of the data for the year ended December 31, 2002 included in the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, the data for the year ended December 31, 2002 included in this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
San Francisco, California
January 22, 2003

S-1



Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(in thousands)

 
  Balance at
Beginning of
Period

  Charged to
Expenses

  Deductions
  Balance at
End of Period

Year Ended December 31, 2000                    
  Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable   $ 13,424   14,778   10,995   $ 17,207

Year Ended December 31, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable   $ 17,207   12,432   15,276   $ 14,363

Year Ended December 31, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable   $ 14,363   17,392   19,177   $ 12,578

S-2




QuickLinks

PART I
PART II
ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (in thousands, except share amounts)
ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands, except per share amounts)
ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (in thousands)
ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
PART III
PART IV
SIGNATURES
Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (in thousands)