Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. Provides Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results (Preliminary and Unaudited), Releases Full Year 2023 Guidance

Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCSI) today reported preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.

Results in this press release represent continuing operations, and where appropriate, results from discontinued operations have been disclosed.

Restatement of Financial Statements Included in the Q3 2022 10-Q for the Period Ended September 30, 2022

During the preparation of its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company identified unintentional errors primarily relating to (i) to a legacy accounting practice, inherited from the spin transaction in its SoHo business that grossed up revenue by $1.9 million and $5.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, with a corresponding offset to bad debt expense (“SoHo Error”) and (ii) the timing of revenue recognition of $2.2 million and $2.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022, respectively, which after review, the Company has concluded should be reclassified as deferred revenue (“Deferred Revenue Error”). The correction of the SoHo Error has no impact on the Company’s operating income, net income, EBITDA or cash flows for the relevant periods. The correction of the Deferred Revenue Error affects the timing of revenue recognition for the applicable arrangement, but not the amount of revenue that will be recognized over time for the applicable arrangement. Neither error has any impact on the Company’s cash or cash equivalents.

On February 21, 2023, as a result of the unintentional errors noted above, the audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the board of directors of the Company reached a determination to restate its unaudited financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022. The identified errors had the following effects on the consolidated statements of income of the Company for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to previously reported amounts: (i) a reduction in revenue of $4.1 million, or 4.3%, a reduction in operating expenses of $1.9 million, or 4.2%, a reduction in income from continuing operations of $1.7 million, or 9.9%, a reduction in net income of $1.7 million or 9.9% and a reduction in net income per basic and diluted common share from continuing operations of $0.09 or 9.9%. The identified errors had the following effects on the consolidated statements of income of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to previously reported amounts: (i) a reduction in revenue of $7.8 million, or 2.8%, a reduction in operating expenses of $5.3 million, or 4.5%, a reduction in income from continuing operations of $1.9 million, or 3.3%, a reduction in net income of $1.9 million or 3.3% and a reduction in net income per basic and diluted common share from continuing operations of $0.10 or 3.3%. The reduction in income from continuing operations, net income, and net income per basic and diluted common share from continuing operations is attributable solely due to the Deferred Revenue Error. Management has determined that these errors did not result in any other previously issued financial statements being materially misstated.

FOURTH QUARTER 2022 HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

Q4 2022 GAAP quarterly revenues increased 1.4% to $90.2 million compared to $89.0 million for Q4 2021. Our growth was primarily due to an increase of $4.4 million or 10.1% in our Corporate business (inclusive of $1.6 million due to the Summit acquisition); partially offset by a decline of $2.9 million or 6.4% in our SoHo revenues, including a negative $2.0 million related to the legacy SoHo accounting practice discussed above. On a constant dollar basis, revenues grew by $2.4 million or 2.8% compared to the prior year.

GAAP net income from continuing operations increased to $16.2 million in Q4 2022 compared to $2.0 million for Q4 2021. The increase is primarily due to a charge to sales tax expense of $8.6 million related to the Company’s SoHo revenues and a $8.2 million impairment of one of the Company’s lease facilities, both of which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2021.

GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations ⁽¹⁾ increased to $0.81 in Q4 2022 compared to $0.10 for Q4 2021. The increase is related to the items discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA ⁽²⁾ for Q4 2022 of $49.0 million is unfavorable compared to Q4 2021 of $51.6 million primarily related to planned increased headcount.

Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ for the quarter decreased to $1.13 or 15.7%, compared to $1.34 for Q4 2021. The decrease is related to the items discussed above, as well as a foreign exchange loss in the current period of $0.23 in other (expense) income, net due to the foreign exchange revaluation of intercompany transactions.

Consensus ended the quarter with $94.2 million in cash and cash equivalents after cash outlays related to interest expense payments of approximately $26 million (occurring in Q2 and Q4) and increased compensation costs over the comparable prior period.

Key financial results from continuing operations for Q4 2022 versus Q4 2021 are set forth in the following table. Reconciliations of Adjusted non-GAAP net income, earnings per diluted share and Adjusted EBITDA to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures accompany this press release.

The financial results in the prior period do not include certain costs associated with being a standalone public company, the change in the Company’s debt structure and the related income tax effects. As a result, the Company has provided investors with operating results which include adjustments as discussed below ⁽⁴⁾.

FULL YEAR 2022 HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)

2022 GAAP revenues increased 2.8% to $362.4 million compared to $352.7 million for 2021. Our growth was primarily due to an increase of $22.5 million or 13.2% in our Corporate business (inclusive of $6.8 million due to the Summit acquisition); partially offset by a decline of $12.2 million or 6.7% in our SoHo revenues, including a negative $7.3 million related to the legacy SoHo accounting practice discussed above. On a constant dollar basis, revenues grew by $14.1 million or 4.0% compared to the prior year.

GAAP net income from continuing operations decreased to $72.4 million in 2022 compared to $121.2 million for 2021. The decrease is primarily related to the interest expense associated with the 2026 and 2028 notes, additional costs as a standalone publicly traded company and increased headcount; partially offset by higher revenues.

GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations ⁽¹⁾ decreased to $3.62 in 2022 compared to $6.04 for 2021. The decrease is related to the items discussed above.

Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ for 2022 of $196.7 million is unfavorable compared to 2021 Consensus Adjusted EBITDA of $203.0 million.

Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ for the year decreased to $5.33, or 2.4%, compared to Consensus Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share ⁽²⁾⁽³⁾ of $5.46 for 2021. The decrease is related to the items discussed above, as well as a foreign exchange loss in the current period of $0.09 in other (expense) income, net due to the foreign exchange revaluation of intercompany transactions.

Consensus ended the year with $94.2 million in cash and cash equivalents after cash outlays related to interest expense payments of approximately $52 million (occurring in Q2 and Q4), the acquisition of Summit Healthcare of $12.2 million, share buybacks of $7.6 million and payments of approximately $7 million to the former parent in conjunction with the spin-off.

Key financial results from continuing operations for 2022 versus 2021 are set forth in the following table. Reconciliations of Adjusted non-GAAP net income, earnings per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA and Consensus Adjusted results from operations to their nearest comparable GAAP financial measures accompany this press release.

GUIDANCE ⁽⁶⁾

The following table presents ranges for the Company’s 2023 full year guidance (in millions, except per share amounts):

Notes:

Financial Results are Preliminary

The Company is currently finalizing its financial closing process for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the Company’s audited financial results as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 are not yet available. The unaudited, preliminary consolidated financial data presented above as of December 31, 2022 reflects the Company’s preliminary estimates based on information available as of the date of this release and is subject to change. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance upon these preliminary estimates. The unaudited, preliminary financial data included in this press release has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, the Company’s management. The Company’s auditor has not audited, reviewed, compiled or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to such preliminary financial data. Accordingly, the Company’s auditor does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. Upon completion of its financial closing procedures, the Company’s audited financial results may differ materially from its preliminary estimates.

About Consensus Cloud Solutions

Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCSI) is the world’s largest digital fax provider and a trusted global source for the transformation, enhancement and secure exchange of digital information. We leverage our 25-year history of success by providing advanced solutions for regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, insurance and manufacturing, as well as state and the federal government. Our solutions consist of: cloud faxing; digital signature; intelligent data extraction using natural language processing and artificial intelligence; robotic process automation; interoperability; and workflow enhancement that result in improved healthcare outcomes. Our solutions can be combined with best-in-class managed services for optimal implementations. For more information about Consensus, visit consensus.com and follow @ConsensusCS on Twitter to learn more.

“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors and uncertainties include, among other items: the Company’s ability to grow fax revenues, profitability and cash flows; the Company’s ability to identify, close and successfully transition acquisitions; subscriber growth and retention; variability of the Company’s revenue based on changing conditions in particular industries and the economy generally; protection of the Company’s proprietary technology or infringement by the Company of intellectual property of others; the risk of adverse changes in the U.S. or international regulatory environments, including but not limited to the imposition or increase of taxes or regulatory-related fees; general economic and political conditions, including political tensions and war (such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine); the risks identified in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on the date of this press release relating to the Company’s restatement of its financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2022 and related matters the Company’s finalization of its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the numerous other factors set forth in Consensus’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Consensus, refer to the 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Consensus on April 15, 2022, or when filed, the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K to be filed by Consensus and the other reports filed by Consensus from time-to-time with the SEC, each of which is available at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements provided in this press release are subject to change. Although management’s expectations may change after the date of this press release, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements.

About non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use the following Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted non-GAAP net income, Adjusted non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.

We use these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management believes that these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses and expenditures that may not be indicative of our recurring core business operating results. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting, and analyzing future periods. These Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision-making and (2) they are used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the health of our business.

For more information on these Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures, please see the appropriate GAAP to Adjusted non-GAAP reconciliation tables included within the attached Exhibit to this Release.

⁽¹⁾ The prior period includes cash flows from discontinued operations of the non-Consensus business.

^* The reconciliation of net income per share from GAAP to Adjusted non-GAAP may not foot since each is calculated independently.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement its unaudited consolidated financial statements, the Company uses the following Non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted non-GAAP Net Income and Adjusted non-GAAP Diluted EPS (collectively the “Non-GAAP financial measures”). The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company uses these Non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes that they provide useful information about core operating results, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making.

(1) Share-based compensation. The Company excludes stock-based compensation because it is non-cash in nature and because the Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding the operational performance of the business. The Company further believes this measure is useful to investors in that it allows for greater transparency to certain line items in its financial statements. In addition, excluding this item from the Non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results and comparisons to peers, many of which similarly exclude this item.

(2) Amortization. The Company excludes amortization of patents and acquired intangible assets because it is non-cash in nature and because the Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding the operational performance of the business. In addition, excluding this item from the Non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results and comparisons to peers, many of which similarly exclude this item.

(3) Spin-off related costs. The Company excludes certain expenses associated with the spin-off from Ziff Davis, Inc. The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding the operational performance of the business. In addition, excluding this item from the Non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results and comparisons to peers.

(4) Lease Asset Impairments and Other Charges. The Company excludes lease asset impairments and other charges as they are non-cash in nature and because the Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding the operational performance. In addition, excluding this item from the Non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results.

(5) Non-income related sales tax. The Company has excluded certain non-income related sales taxes because this expense is related to our historical sales tax exposure in applicable states that have started to tax Software as a Service (“SaaS”) in recent years. The Company is in the process of remediating the exposure and doesn’t believe it will be recurring. As a result, the Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the operational performance of the business.

(6) Acquisition related integration costs. The Company excludes certain acquisition and related integration costs such as adjustments to contingent consideration, severance, lease terminations, retention bonuses and other acquisition-specific items. The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. In addition, excluding this item from the Non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results and comparisons to peers, many of which similarly exclude this item.

(7) Accounting fees for tax provision. The Company excludes certain costs associated with the preparation for the tax provision because these costs are expected to be nonrecurring. The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding the operational performance of the business.

(8) Gain on sale of assets. The Company excludes the gain on sale of certain of its assets. The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. In addition, excluding this item from the Non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results.

(9) Intra-entity transfers. The Company excludes certain effects of intra-entity transfers to the extent the related tax asset or liability in the financial statement is not recovered or settled, respectively during the year. During December 2019, the Company entered into an intra-entity asset transfer that resulted in the recording of a tax benefit and related tax asset representing tax deductible amounts to be realized in future years which is expected to be recovered over a period of up to 20 years. The Company believes that the Non-GAAP financial measures excluding the cumulative future unrealized benefit of the assets transferred and including the tax benefit in the year of realization provides meaningful supplemental information regarding operational performance. In addition, excluding this item from the Non-GAAP measures facilitates comparisons to historical operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA as calculated above represents earnings before interest, other income, net, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization and the items used to reconcile GAAP to Adjusted non-GAAP financial measures, including (1) share-based compensation; (2) spin-off related costs; (3) lease asset impairment and other charges; (4) non-income related sales tax; (5) acquisition related costs and (6) accounting fees for tax provision. We disclose Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental Non-GAAP financial performance measure as we believe it is a useful metric by which to compare the performance of our business from period to period. We understand that measures similar to Adjusted EBITDA are broadly used by analysts, rating agencies and investors in assessing our performance. Accordingly, we believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors.

Adjusted EBITDA is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, net income, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This Adjusted non-GAAP measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP.

⁽¹⁾ Net cash provided by operating activities during the second quarter and fourth quarter was impacted by cash outlays related to interest expense payments of approximately $26 million (occurring in Q2 and Q4) and other significant payments.

The Company discloses free cash flows as a supplemental Non-GAAP financial performance measure, as it believes it is a useful metric by which to compare the performance of its business from period to period. The Company also understands that this Non-GAAP measure is broadly used by analysts, rating agencies and investors in assessing the Company’s performance. Accordingly, the Company believes that the presentation of this Non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors.

Free cash flows is not in accordance with, or an alternative to, Cash Flows from Operating Activities, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures with similar or even identical names used by other companies. In addition, the Non-GAAP measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. This Non-GAAP measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the amounts associated with the Company’s results of operations determined in accordance with GAAP.

Certain Other Adjusted Financial Information (Unaudited)

⁽¹⁾ Adjustments represents the following:

• Represents incremental costs to be incurred as a standalone public entity and overhead currently shared from Ziff Davis such as legal, accounting, finance, human resource and payroll, net of tax.
• Reflects the interest expense related to debt of $805 million principal amount issued by Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc., on October 7, 2021, in connection with the separation capitalization plan with an interest rate of 6.3% per annum.
• Reflects the effects of the adjustments at the applicable statutory income tax rates.

The following table sets forth certain adjusted financial and operating information for Consensus for the three months and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands, except for percentages):

⁽¹⁾ Represents a monthly ARPA calculated for the quarter or year calculated as follows. Monthly ARPA on a quarterly basis is calculated using our standard convention of dividing revenue for the quarter by the average of the quarter’s beginning and ending customer base and dividing that amount by 3 months. Monthly ARPA on an annual basis is calculated by dividing revenue for the year by the average customer base for the applicable four quarters and dividing that amount by 12 months. Consensus believes ARPA provides investors an understanding of the average monthly revenues we recognize per account associated within Consensus’ customer base. As ARPA varies based on fixed subscription fee and variable usage components, Consensus believes it can serve as a measure by which investors can evaluate trends in the types of services, levels of services and the usage levels of those services across Consensus’ customers.

⁽²⁾ Paid Adds represents paying new Consensus customer accounts added during the quarter or annual period.

⁽³⁾ Monthly churn is defined as a Consensus paying customer accounts that cancelled its services during the period divided by the average number customers over the period. This measure is calculated monthly and expressed as an average over the applicable period.

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