20-F
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
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þ |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For
the transition period from
to
Commission file number: 001-33910
ATA Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not applicable
(Translation of Registrants name into English)
Cayman Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
8th Floor, Tower E
6 Gongyuan West Street
Jian Guo Men Nei
Beijing 100005, China
(Address of principal executive offices)
Carl Yeung
Chief Financial Officer
ATA Inc.
8th Floor, Tower E
6 Gongyuan West Street
Jian Guo Men Nei
Beijing 100005, China
Telephone: 8610-6518-1122
Facsimile: 8610-6517-9517
(Name, Telephone E-mail and/or Facsimile
Number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
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Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
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American Depositary Shares, each representing two
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NASDAQ Global Market |
common shares, par value $0.01 per share |
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common
stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 45,675,514 common shares.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule
405 of the Securities
Act. o Yes þ No
If this report is an annual or transaction report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is
not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. o Yes þ No
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. þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
o Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer. See the definitions
of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o |
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Accelerated filer þ |
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Non-accelerated filer o |
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Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the
financial statements included in this filing:
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U.S. GAAP þ
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International Financial Reporting |
Other o |
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Standards as issued by the International Accounting |
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Standards Board o |
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If Other has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which
financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 o Item 18 o
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes þ No
INTRODUCTION
Except where the context otherwise requires and for purposes of this annual report only:
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all references to years are to the calendar year from January 1 to December 31
and references to our fiscal year or years are to the fiscal year or years ended March
31; |
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we, us, our company, our, and ATA refer to ATA Inc. and its
subsidiaries and affiliated PRC entity as the context requires; |
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China, Chinese and PRC refers to the Peoples Republic of China,
excluding, for purposes of this annual report only, Taiwan and the Special
Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau; |
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all references to Renminbi or RMB are to the legal currency of China, and
all references to U.S. dollars, dollars, $ or US$ are to the legal currency of
the United States; |
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U.S. GAAP refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States; and |
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PRC GAAP refers to generally accepted accounting principles in the Peoples
Republic of China. |
This annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited consolidated statements of operation data
for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and audited consolidated balance sheet data as of
March 31, 2008 and 2009. Each of our ADSs represents two common shares. Our ADSs are listed on the
Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol ATAI.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements that are based on our
current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. All
statements other than statements of historical fact in this annual report are forward-looking
statements. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words and phrases
such as may, should, intend, predict, potential, continue, will, expect,
anticipate, estimate, plan, believe, is /are likely to or the negative form of these
words and phrases or other comparable expressions. The forward-looking statements included in this
annual report relate to, among others:
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our goals and strategies; |
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our future prospects and market acceptance of our technologies, products and
services; |
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our future business development and results of operations; |
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projected revenues, profits, earnings and other estimated financial
information; |
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our plans to expand and enhance our products and services; |
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competition in the computer-based testing, educational services and test
preparation and training markets; and |
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Chinese laws, regulations and policies, including those applicable to the
education industry, Internet content providers, Internet content and foreign exchange. |
These forward-looking statements involve various risks, assumptions and uncertainties.
Although we believe that our expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are
reasonable, our expectations may turn out to be incorrect. Our actual results could be materially
different from our expectations. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to
be materially different from our expectations are generally set forth in Item 3.D. of this annual
report, Key information Risk Factors and elsewhere in this annual report.
3
The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information
as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. All forward-looking
statements included herein attributable to us or other parties or any person acting on our behalf
are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in
this section. Except to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations, we undertake no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the
date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
This annual report also contains information and statistics relating to Chinas economy and
the industries in which we operate derived from various publications issued by Chinese governmental
entities and other third parties which have not been independently verified by us. The information
in such third-party sources may not be consistent with other information compiled in or outside
China. We have taken such care as we consider reasonable in the reproduction and extraction of
information from third-party sources.
PART I.
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A. Selected Financial Data
Selected Consolidated Financial Data
The following selected consolidated statements of operations data for the fiscal years ended
March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (other than ADS data), and the selected consolidated balance sheets
data as of March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, are derived from our audited consolidated financial
statements included elsewhere in this annual report and should be read in conjunction with, and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to, these consolidated financial statements and related
notes. Our selected consolidated statements of operations data for the year ended December 31, 2004
and March 31, 2006 (other than ADS data) and the selected consolidated balance sheets data as of
December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2006, are derived from audited consolidated financial statements
not included in this annual report. Our selected consolidated statements of operations data for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 (other than ADS data) and the selected consolidated balance
sheets data as of March 31, 2005 are derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements not
included in this annual report. The following information should also be read in conjunction with
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects. Our audited consolidated financial
statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
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For the |
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Three |
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For the Year |
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Months |
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Ended |
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Ended |
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December 31, |
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March 31, |
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For the Year Ended March 31, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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US$ |
Selected Consolidated
Statements of
Operations Data: |
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Net Revenues |
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Testing services |
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17,351 |
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1,977 |
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18,170 |
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24,628 |
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78,198 |
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137,046 |
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20,057 |
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Test-based educational
services |
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18,369 |
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6,684 |
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35,138 |
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42,804 |
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48,594 |
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42,546 |
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6,227 |
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4
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For the |
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Three |
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For the Year |
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Months |
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Ended |
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Ended |
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December 31, |
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March 31, |
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For the Year Ended March 31, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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US$ |
Test preparation and
training solutions |
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407 |
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17 |
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340 |
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10,076 |
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36,908 |
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25,071 |
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3,669 |
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Other (1) |
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8,394 |
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1,780 |
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15,389 |
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7,373 |
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8,388 |
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12,882 |
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1,885 |
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Total net revenues |
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44,521 |
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10,458 |
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69,037 |
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84,881 |
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172,088 |
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217,545 |
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31,838 |
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Gross profit |
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21,388 |
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3,527 |
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35,049 |
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43,779 |
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105,141 |
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124,937 |
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18,285 |
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Total operating expenses |
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24,967 |
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13,266 |
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36,140 |
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63,375 |
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81,713 |
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98,549 |
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14,423 |
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(Loss) income from
operations (2) |
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(3,579 |
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(9,739 |
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(1,091 |
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(19,596 |
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23,428 |
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26,388 |
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3,862 |
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Interest expense (3) |
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(9,690 |
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(1,143 |
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(22,713 |
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Foreign currency
exchange losses, net |
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(2 |
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(66 |
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(1,050 |
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(909 |
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(236 |
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665 |
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97 |
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Net(loss) income |
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(12,198 |
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(8,683 |
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(24,809 |
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(16,790 |
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20,170 |
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22,810 |
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3,338 |
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Accretion of Series A
redeemable convertible
preferred shares to
redemption value |
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(13,889 |
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Foreign currency
exchange transaction
adjustment on Series A
redeemable convertible
preferred shares |
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3,269 |
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Net (loss) income
(applicable) available
to common shareholders
(4) |
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(12,198 |
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(8,683 |
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(35,429 |
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(16,790 |
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20,170 |
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22,810 |
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3,338 |
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For the |
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Three |
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For the Year |
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Months |
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Ended |
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Ended |
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December 31, |
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March 31, |
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For the Year Ended March 31, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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US$ |
Basic (loss)
earnings per common
share (4) |
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(0.61 |
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(0.50 |
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(2.16 |
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(0.82 |
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0.79 |
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0.50 |
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0.07 |
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Diluted (loss)
earnings per common
share (4) |
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(0.61 |
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(0.50 |
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(2.16 |
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(0.82 |
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0.53 |
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0.49 |
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0.07 |
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Basic (loss)
earnings per ADS
(5) |
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(1.22 |
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(1.00 |
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(4.32 |
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(1.64 |
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1.58 |
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1.00 |
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0.14 |
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Diluted (loss)
earnings per ADS
(5) |
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(1.22 |
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(1.00 |
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(4.32 |
) |
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(1.64 |
) |
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1.06 |
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0.98 |
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0.14 |
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5
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At |
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December 31, |
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At March 31, |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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RMB |
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US$ |
Consolidated Balance
Sheet Data: |
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Cash |
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11,827 |
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93,030 |
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44,624 |
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45,019 |
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332,197 |
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310,503 |
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45,442 |
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Accounts receivable, net |
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10,967 |
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4,354 |
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12,984 |
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16,978 |
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63,502 |
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71,077 |
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10,402 |
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Due from related parties |
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21,381 |
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23,798 |
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4,368 |
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20 |
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Total current assets |
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50,189 |
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125,881 |
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67,989 |
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76,656 |
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403,309 |
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399,002 |
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58,394 |
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Total assets |
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63,986 |
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139,260 |
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88,384 |
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108,165 |
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436,634 |
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471,245 |
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68,967 |
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Note payable, current (6) |
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17,940 |
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18,666 |
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19,000 |
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Due to related parties |
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54,576 |
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46,277 |
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1,644 |
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Deferred revenues, current |
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23,288 |
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20,564 |
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22,340 |
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26,341 |
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36,708 |
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40,238 |
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5,889 |
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Total current liabilities |
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113,575 |
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112,453 |
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53,937 |
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45,620 |
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66,530 |
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85,189 |
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12,467 |
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Note payable, non-current
(6) |
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Deferred revenues,
non-current |
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10,442 |
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8,585 |
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8,555 |
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7,897 |
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7,026 |
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5,626 |
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|
823 |
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Total liabilities |
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124,017 |
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121,038 |
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62,492 |
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53,517 |
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73,556 |
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91,004 |
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13,319 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(84,800 |
) |
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(93,483 |
) |
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(118,292 |
) |
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(135,082 |
) |
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(114,912 |
) |
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(92,102 |
) |
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(13,479 |
) |
Total shareholders
(deficit) equity |
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(60,031 |
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(94,444 |
) |
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25,892 |
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54,648 |
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|
363,078 |
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380,241 |
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|
55,649 |
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(1) |
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In March 2002, our subsidiary, ATA Testing Authority (Beijing) Limited, or ATA Testing,
entered into an agreement with Jiangsu ATA Software Co., Ltd., or ATA Jiangsu to assign ATA
Testings rights and interests in a number of text delivery service contracts to ATA Jiangsu.
ATA Testing collected an RMB6.5 million payment under this agreement in the year ended
December 31, 2002. We initially anticipated that the test delivery service contracts would
generate revenues and ATA Testing would provide ancillary services under the agreement for a
period of ten years. We therefore deferred the recognition of revenue upon receipt of the
payment, and began to recognize the payment into income over a ten year period for the years
ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004. However, on December 27, 2005, the board of directors
of ATA Jiangsu resolved to commence a voluntary winding up of ATA Jiangsu. As a result, we
recognized the remaining deferred revenue of RMB3.9 million into income in December 2005. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes non-cash share-based compensation expenses of RMB1.1 million, RMB6.4 million,
RMB4.2 million, RMB2.5 million, RMB7.3 million and RMB5.6 million for the year ended December
31, 2004, the three months ended March 31, 2005, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006, 2007,
2008 and 2009, respectively. Our non-cash share-based compensation expense for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 includes an expense of RMB6.3 million resulting from the issuance
of 853,941 of our common shares to Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, our co-founder, chairman and chief
executive officer, to reward his past performance. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes interest expense and loan discount charged for the year ended December 31, 2004,
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 of RMB2.6
million, RMB0.7 million and RMB22.7 million, respectively, in connection with an RMB19.0
million loan from a third party that was repaid in full on May 19, 2006. Also includes
earnings attributable and payable to an investor of ATA Learning of RMB7.1 million for the
year ended December 31, 2004. |
|
(4) |
|
Our PRC subsidiaries, ATA Testing, ATA Learning and our consolidated variable interest
entity, or VIE, ATA Online enjoyed tax holidays provided by PRC tax authorities. See Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects A. Operating Results Taxation. If our PRC
subsidiaries had not enjoyed these tax holidays, the effects of the tax holidays on earnings
(loss) per share for the periods indicated are as follows: |
6
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For the |
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Three |
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For the Year |
|
Months |
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Ended |
|
Ended |
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|
December 31 |
|
March, 31 |
|
For the Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
2004 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2009 |
|
|
RMB |
|
RMB |
|
RMB |
|
RMB |
|
RMB |
|
RMB |
|
US$ |
Effect on net
(loss) income
(applicable)
available to common
shareholders |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
(544 |
) |
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
(823 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect on basic
(loss) earnings per
common share |
|
|
(0.001 |
) |
|
|
0.005 |
|
|
|
(0.033 |
) |
|
|
0.008 |
|
|
|
(0.032 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect on diluted
(loss) earnings per
common share |
|
|
(0.001 |
) |
|
|
0.005 |
|
|
|
(0.033 |
) |
|
|
0.008 |
|
|
|
(0.022 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Each ADS represents two common shares. |
|
(6) |
|
Note payable to a third party was repaid in full on May 19, 2006 |
|
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|
For the Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2009 |
Key Operating Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Number of tests
delivered (1) |
|
|
2,212,351 |
|
|
|
2,583,712 |
|
|
|
3,335,701 |
|
|
|
12,787,470 |
|
|
|
5,063,379 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes tests delivered through our test delivery platform and tests using our Dynamic
Simulation Technology. Also includes free tests delivered for business development purpose.
The number of tests delivered excluding the free tests in the fiscal years ended March 31,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 was 1,860,412, 2,067,714, 3,335,701, 3,632,285 and 5,063,379,
respectively. We delivered 9,155,185 free tests in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 for
the on-line nationwide accounting knowledge contest. |
Exchange Rate Information
We conduct our business primarily in China and a substantial majority of our revenues and
expenses are denominated in Renminbi. The conversion of Renminbi into U.S. dollars in this annual
report is based on the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of Renminbi as
certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Unless otherwise noted, all
translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars in this annual report were made at a rate of RMB6.8329
to US$1.00, which was the noon buying rate in effect as of March 31, 2009. The noon buying rate on
September 8, 2009 was RMB6.8275 to US$1.00. We make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S.
dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case
may be, at any particular rate, the rates stated below, or at all. The Chinese government restricts
or prohibits the conversion of Renminbi into foreign currency and foreign currency into Renminbi
for certain types of transactions.
7
The following table sets forth information concerning exchange rates between the Renminbi and
the U.S. dollar for the periods indicated. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and
are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in this annual report.
|
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|
|
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|
Renminbi per U.S. Dollar Noon Buying Rate |
|
|
Average (1) |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Period-end |
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 |
|
|
8.2767 |
|
|
|
8.2773 |
|
|
|
8.2764 |
|
|
|
8.2765 |
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 |
|
|
8.1234 |
|
|
|
8.2765 |
|
|
|
8.0167 |
|
|
|
8.0167 |
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 |
|
|
7.8843 |
|
|
|
8.0300 |
|
|
|
7.7232 |
|
|
|
7.7232 |
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 |
|
|
7.4197 |
|
|
|
7.7345 |
|
|
|
7.0105 |
|
|
|
7.0120 |
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 |
|
|
6.8684 |
|
|
|
7.0185 |
|
|
|
6.7800 |
|
|
|
6.8329 |
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|
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|
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|
Renminbi per U.S. Dollar Noon Buying Rate |
|
|
Average (1) |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Period-end |
Most recent six months: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2009 |
|
|
6.8360 |
|
|
|
6.8438 |
|
|
|
6.8240 |
|
|
|
6.8329 |
|
April 2009 |
|
|
6.8306 |
|
|
|
6.8361 |
|
|
|
6.8180 |
|
|
|
6.8180 |
|
May 2009 |
|
|
6.8235 |
|
|
|
6.8326 |
|
|
|
6.8176 |
|
|
|
6.8278 |
|
June 2009 |
|
|
6.8334 |
|
|
|
6.8371 |
|
|
|
6.8264 |
|
|
|
6.8302 |
|
July 2009 |
|
|
6.8317 |
|
|
|
6.8342 |
|
|
|
6.8300 |
|
|
|
6.8319 |
|
August 2009 |
|
|
6.8323 |
|
|
|
6.8358 |
|
|
|
6.8299 |
|
|
|
6.8299 |
|
September 2009 (period through
September 8) |
|
|
6.8293 |
|
|
|
6.8303 |
|
|
|
6.8275 |
|
|
|
6.8275 |
|
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York and
U.S. Federal Reserve
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Annual averages are calculated using the exchange rates for the last day of each month
during the relevant year. Monthly averages are calculated using daily exchange rates during
the month. |
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Risk Factors
Risks Relating to Our Business
8
We have been growing rapidly and plan to expand our operations significantly over the next few
years. If we fail to address risks or meet new challenges associated with the rapid expansion, we
may not meet internal and external expectations of our future performance.
We are experiencing rapid growth in our operations and technology and services development,
which has placed a significant strain on our management, administrative, operational and financial
infrastructure. This rapid expansion may have caused us to overlook or fail to properly address
latent problems. Rapid expansion also may have led to inefficiencies in our administrative systems
or business operations that have not yet been discovered or addressed.
Furthermore, we anticipate expanding the scope of our operations significantly in the coming
years, including adding new service offerings such as our HR Select employee assessment solution,
distribution and administration of the Test of English for International Communication, or TOEIC in
China and Cambridge ESOL Young Learners English online tutorials. Our future success will depend in
part upon the ability of our senior management to manage this growth effectively. In particular,
our management may face the following challenges managing this growth:
|
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controlling our costs and expenses and maintaining or increasing our margins
and profitability; |
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retaining existing clients and expanding service offerings to those clients; |
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acquiring and retaining new clients, especially for our new service offerings; |
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|
retaining our key relationships with Chinese government controlled entities,
obtaining any governmental approvals required for new service offerings and responding
to changes in the regulatory and policy environment; |
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|
improving our operating, administrative and financial systems and internal controls
and maintaining close cooperation between members of management and heads of
individual departments; |
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increasing the awareness of our brand name and protecting our reputation; |
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|
keeping up with evolving industry standards, technologies and market
developments; or |
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|
integrating any acquired business into our business operations and realizing
the potential benefits of our acquisition. |
We rely on a handful of relatively senior managers for much of our marketing and business
development, which includes, among other things, site visits with prospective clients followed by
the signing of non-binding memoranda of understanding or other preliminary arrangements. Since the
number of our senior managers is still small, we may not have a sufficient number of marketing and
business development professionals with the experience and talent to quickly and effectively follow
up with such clients and convert these memoranda of understanding and preliminary arrangements into
final agreements and revenue-generating relationships. If we fail to successfully address these and
other challenges as we expand our operations, we may not meet internal and external expectations of
our future performance, which could result in a decline in the market price of our ADSs.
Our financial results are subject to fluctuations and seasonality related to the revenue
cycles for our products and services, our relatively long and unpredictable sales cycle and other
factors beyond our control, any of which may decrease our revenues in a particular period. As a
result, it is difficult for us to predict our results of operations and you should not rely on our
historical operating results as an indication of our future financial performance.
Our results of operations have varied in the past from period to period, and are likely to
vary in the future, due to the fact that a substantial portion of our sources of revenues are
seasonal. We have experienced seasonality and expect in the future to continue to experience
seasonality in net revenues and accounts receivable related to our test delivery services, with the
quarter ending December 31 typically having the highest net revenues from testing services and the
quarter ending March 31 typically having the lowest net revenues from testing services.
9
Under our contracts with some test sponsors, we have the right to receive payment
approximately one month after a test is delivered, and our clients typically pay us within three to
six months of delivery. We therefore may experience substantial increases in our accounts
receivable balance at the end of the quarter ending December 31 of each year. Revenues from our
degree major and single course programs may experience seasonal declines during the quarter ending
September 30 of each fiscal year, which includes the summer holiday months of July and August,
since we do not recognize revenues in July and August for the last year of each degree major course
program and for most single course programs. We also expect some seasonality in our accounts
receivable related to degree major programs, because we collect from our clients typically around
the months of October to November, and a large portion of our clients settle payment with us two to
five months after that time. In addition, we have expanded our business into the test preparation
and training market. We believe demand for test preparation and training solutions are generally
highest close to test and certification requirement deadlines, which are typically during the
quarter ending December 31. Therefore we expect revenues from test preparation and training
solutions to be the highest in the quarter ending December 31.
In addition, our sales cycles are generally long and unpredictable. A clients decision to
purchase our products and services often involves a lengthy evaluation process. Throughout the
sales cycle, we often spend considerable time educating and providing information to prospective
clients regarding the use and benefits of our products and services. Moreover, budget constraints
and the need for multiple approvals within large enterprises, governmental agencies and educational
institutions may also delay purchasing decisions. The inability to obtain the required approval for
a course taught using one of our course programs or for procurement of our other products or
services may not be known until the negotiation process has progressed for many months. As a
result, the sales cycle for our computer-based testing services and career-oriented educational
services may last a year or longer. Such a lengthy sales cycle, and any future increases in our
sales cycle, could lead to higher sales and marketing expenses and adversely affect our cash flow
from operations. In addition, the lengthy sales cycle has made, and may continue to make, our
financial results prone to fluctuations or decrease our revenues in a particular period.
If our revenues for a particular quarter are lower than we expect, we may be unable to reduce
our operating expenses for that quarter by a corresponding amount, which could negatively affect
our operating results for that quarter. As a result, you should not rely on our quarter-to-quarter
comparisons of our operating results as indicators of likely future performance. Our operating
results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors in one or more future
quarters. If that occurs, the market price of our ADSs could decline and you could lose part or all
of your investment. Fluctuations of our quarterly financial results may also lead to increased
volatility in the market price of our ADSs.
The Chinese market for computer-based testing services and career-oriented services is still
emerging and evolving rapidly. If market acceptance of our products and services declines or fails
to grow, our revenue growth may slow or we may experience a decrease in revenues.
As the Chinese market for computer-based testing services and career-oriented educational
services is still emerging, our success will depend to a large extent on our ability to convince
our clients that our technologies and services are valuable and that it is more cost-effective for
them to utilize our services than for them to develop similar services in-house. We must address
the following concerns, among others, with our clients as they decide to implement our
computer-based testing and career-oriented educational services and to use our technologies and
services:
|
|
|
concern over the commitment of time, personnel and funding necessary to
implement our computer-based testing services and career-oriented educational
services; |
|
|
|
|
ability of clients to develop their own computer-based testing services or
career-oriented educational services; |
|
|
|
|
possible perceived security and academic integrity risks associated with
computer-based testing services and third-party curriculum providers; |
|
|
|
|
reluctance of the academic community to adopt computer-based learning
materials and computer-based tests; and |
10
|
|
|
reluctance of educational institutions to depend on third-party providers of
curricula and academic certifications. |
A decline in the demand for computer-based testing services and education services by test
sponsors or educational institutions would negatively affect demand for our computer-based testing
services and technologies, as well as our degree major and course programs, which incorporate
computer-based tests. Even if demand for computer-based testing services and education services
continues to grow, this demand may not grow as quickly as we anticipate.
If we are not successful in achieving market acceptance for our new service offerings, our
revenues may grow more slowly or decline.
In order to increase our revenue sources, we have allocated, and intend to continue to
allocate, time, effort and capital to expand our service offerings, including developing and
expanding our HR Select employee assessment solution, distribution and administration of TOEIC exam
in China and Cambridge ESOL Young Learners English online tutorials. Each of these new service
offerings is targeting a separate market and client base from our current service offerings. As the
markets for these offerings are new for us, we cannot assure you that we will succeed in adapting
to client needs in these markets or effectively deal with risks associated with this expansion. It
may be difficult for us to accurately predict demand for these and other new service offerings we
develop. Furthermore, the Chinese government may enact unforeseen regulations and policies that
could limit our ability to provide or expand certain services, such as prohibitions on
foreign-invested entities engaging in certain businesses. Additional risks which we face expanding
in this market include the following:
|
|
|
we may underestimate the amount of capital, personnel and other resources
required to carry out our expansion plans, which may affect the success of our
expansion and/or negatively impact the quality of our other product and service
offerings; |
|
|
|
|
if we are unsuccessful in the relevant new market, it may negatively affect
our reputation and the status of our brand in our other markets; |
|
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|
|
we may fail to develop sufficient payment collection, technical support and
other administrative capabilities necessary to successfully develop and manage our new
service offerings on an increasingly large scale. |
The success of our new service offerings going forward also depends on our ability to gain and
maintain relevant business relationships, such as our relationship with Educational Testing
Services, or ETS in relation to our distribution and administration of TOEIC exams in China and our
relationship with the Ministry of Education and Cambridge ESOL in relation to our Cambridge ESOL
Young Learners English online tutorials.
Breaches or perceived breaches of our security measures relating to test collection, scoring
and storage or unauthorized disclosure or misuse of personal data through breach of our computer
systems or otherwise could cause us to receive negative publicity, and lose clients and expose us
to protracted and costly litigation.
As part of our service offerings, we collect, process, transmit and store highly confidential
information, including personal information and test questions, answers and scores. Maintaining the
security and confidentiality of the information we handle as part of our testing services is
essential to protecting the integrity and accuracy of the test taking process and retaining our
client base. Any breach or perceived breach in our security measures pertaining to the collection,
processing, transmission or storage of such information as a result of third-party action, employee
error, and malfeasance or otherwise could result in liability claims and have a negative impact on
our reputation. Additionally, we could be subject to liability claims or regulatory penalties for
misuses of information collected from clients or students or for the unauthorized disclosure or
unauthorized or inappropriate use of such information. Any such negative publicity or liability
claims could have a significant negative impact on our future business, cause us to lose clients
and expose us to costly litigation.
Any failure by us to obtain new business from our existing clients or maintain our
relationships with key Chinese government controlled entities may decrease our market share and
revenues.
11
The success of our business going forward will rely in large part on our ability to continue
to obtain business from our existing clients and maintain our relationships with key Chinese
government controlled entities including governmental agencies, educational institutions and
industry associations controlled by the Chinese government. For the fiscal years ended March 31,
2008 and 2009, 58.3% and 72.3% respectively, of our total net revenues were generated from
licensing and service fees from Chinese government-controlled entities. Our contracts for
computer-based testing services generally allow for termination without cause on three months to
one years written notice. Furthermore, educational institutions offering our career-oriented
educational programs are under no contractual obligation to enroll students in our programs. We
must therefore market our technologies and services to new and existing clients not only to expand
our operations, but also to maintain our existing client base and revenues.
The willingness of Chinese test sponsors and educational institutions to use our technologies
and services is to some extent a result of our longstanding relationships with the Ministry of
Human Resources and Social Security and Education, which significantly enhance our name brand and
reputation among our client base. At the same time, maintaining a strong relationship with the
Ministry of Education is important for marketing our career-oriented educational services, as each
program requires approval by the Ministry of Education before it may be introduced into schools in
China. If our relationships with these two ministries or their local branches were to deteriorate,
it could significantly reduce our revenues and harm our brand and reputation.
Reductions in public funding available to our clients that are governmental agencies and
educational institutions funded by the Chinese government could adversely impact demand by these
agencies and institutions for our products and services.
We have derived a significant portion of our total net revenues from licensing and services
fees from Chinese governmental agencies and educational institutions funded by the Chinese
government. Demand and ability to pay for our products and services by these agencies and
institutions are affected by government budgetary cycles, funding availability and government
policies. Funding reductions, reallocations or delays could adversely impact demand for our
products and services by our clients or reduce the fees these clients are willing to pay for our
products and services. For example, our revenues from the sale of our NTET Tutorial Platform in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 decreased due to lower approved budgets by relevant governmental
agencies for procuring this software as the deadline for the national NTET test has been deferred.
A limited number of our clients have accounted and are expected to continue to account for a
high percentage of our revenues. The loss of or significant reduction in orders from any of these
clients could significantly reduce our revenues and have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations.
Our two largest clients in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, the Securities Association
of China and the China Banking Association,
accounted for 26.2% and 24.8%, respectively, of our net revenues for that period. Our top
five clients for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 accounted for 66.4%
of our net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Due to our dependence on a limited
number of clients, any one of the following events, among others, could cause material fluctuations
or declines in our revenues and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations:
|
|
|
a reduction, delay or cancellation of contracts or product or service orders
from one or more of our significant clients; |
|
|
|
|
a decision by one or more of our significant clients to award contracts or
orders to one of our competitors; and |
|
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|
|
a decision by one or more of our major clients to significantly reduce the
price they are willing to pay for our services or products. |
Any of these events could occur due to causes outside of our control, such as macro-economic
conditions, changes in a clients management or the personnel with whom we interact, changes in
technology, the actions of our competitors, changes in governmental regulations and policies and
changes in a clients budgeting or financial prospects.
12
A significant portion of our revenues are dependent on market acceptance of our E-testing
platform and other computer-based testing technologies, and if we are unable to anticipate and meet
our clients technological needs and challenges from new technologies and industry standards, our
products and services may lose market acceptance or become obsolete, and our margins and results of
operations may be adversely affected.
Our advanced technologies for the creation and delivery of computer-based tests, including our
E-testing platform and our performance-based testing technologies, are a key factor in growing and
maintaining our relationships with test sponsors, educational institution clients and educational
program content providers. Our future success depends on our ability to upgrade our systems,
develop new technologies and anticipate and meet the technical needs of our clients on a regular
basis. The emergence in the market of new test creation and delivery technologies or substitute
products and services could reduce the competitiveness or result in the obsolescence of our current
technologies and services. Moreover, if other companies develop similar technologies offering
functionality comparable to that of our technologies, pricing pressure may increase and our margins
and results of operations may be adversely affected. Additionally, industry standards such as
standard interfaces and data exchange protocols may be developed for testing technologies, and if
these industry standards are incompatible with our technologies, demand for our technologies,
products and services may decline significantly. To the extent we are unable to maintain our market
leadership position in key testing technologies or anticipate and respond to technological
developments and changes in industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner, our products
and services may lose market acceptance or become obsolete.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from course programs using materials licensed
from Microsoft China and Adobe, and the loss of the right to use these course materials could
materially harm our revenues and results of operations.
A substantial portion of our single course programs and the individual courses that comprise
our degree major course programs use course materials licensed from IT vendors including Microsoft
China and Adobe. Moreover, our degree major and single course programs are attractive to our
educational institution clients and their students largely because they offer students the
opportunity to obtain a professional certification, such as a Microsoft Certified Professional or
Delphi certification, at the same time that they earn academic credit from their school. We expect
our revenues from these sources to continue to account for a substantial portion of our revenues.
Our contracts for providing course programs and delivering certification exams in China for
Microsoft China and Adobe generally have a term of one or two years and are automatically renewable
for an additional one or two years. However, our Microsoft China contract is terminable at will
without cause by either party with 90 days prior written notice, while our Adobe contract is
terminable upon breach or mutual agreement of the parties. We cannot assure you that these IT
vendors will renew or will not terminate these contracts and licenses, as they may decide in the
future to work with other testing service providers, provide the testing services themselves or
license course materials to another course program developer or to the schools directly. If we were
to lose the right to offer certification tests or course programs for these IT vendors, our
revenues and results of operations could be materially harmed.
Substantial defaults by our clients on accounts receivable could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our accounts receivable as of March 31, 2009 were RMB71.1 million ($10.4 million). We had
accounts receivable aged over one year of RMB12.7 million ($1.9 million), including accounts
receivable from sales of NTET Tutorial Platform software. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009
we had a RMB6.5 million ($1.0 million) bad debt allowance related to accounts receivable. If
clients which owe us accounts receivable were to become insolvent or otherwise unable to pay for
our services or make payments in a timely manner, our liquidity would be adversely affected and we
would have to write off accounts receivable or increase provisions against our accounts receivable,
any of which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial conditions.
Any actions that are in violation of the law or otherwise harmful to our business or our
reputation by independent distributors who sell our NTET Tutorial Platform software could
negatively impact our brand image and our results of operations.
We offer our NTET Tutorial Platform software through independent distributors. We sell all
title and distribution rights to the distributors upon delivery. We do not provide upgrades or any
additional post-contract
13
services, which are the responsibility of the distributors who sell our NTET Tutorial
Platform. We do not have any control over the business activities of the independent distributors
after our sale of the software to them. If one or more of our distributors engages in activities
that violate applicable laws and regulations or that are otherwise harmful to our business or our
reputation in the market, it could expose us to negative publicity and damage our brand image.
Moreover, if our distributors fail to provide adequate, satisfactory and effective after-sales
support, our brand image may suffer, and our business and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected.
If Microsoft exercises its contractual option to acquire the source code of our Dynamic
Simulation Technology, or DST, Microsoft or a company to which Microsoft licenses or sells such
technology may be able to more effectively compete with us.
Under our Simulation Technology License Agreement with Microsoft, Microsoft has the right to
acquire for $3.0 million a perpetual royalty-free license to the source code of our Dynamic
Simulation Technology, or DST, along with the right to freely sell, license or sublicense the DST
source code to third parties. The contract does not restrict which entities to which Microsoft may
sell, license or sublicense the DST source code. While Microsofts exercise of this option would
generate $3.0 million in revenue to us upon exercise, it may materially adversely affect our future
revenues if Microsoft or any company to which Microsoft sells or licenses the technology uses it to
directly compete with us.
In addition, Microsoft has the right to obtain more limited rights to the source code in the
event ATA is in continuing breach of any of its obligations regarding technical support and
correction of programming errors. Upon the occurrence of a continuing breach, Microsoft would
obtain the right to freely install, make, use, reproduce, copy, modify, translate, edit and
otherwise create derivative works of the DST source code and to sublicense any of the foregoing
rights to third parties, excluding certain of our competitors in the computer-based testing
services market.
Technical errors or failures in relation to computer-based tests delivered through our test
delivery platform could result in negative publicity, loss of clients, liability claims and costly
and disruptive litigation.
Due to the complexity of the technologies we have developed and use to create and deliver
computer-based tests for our clients, there is a risk that technical errors or failures may occur
in relation to these services. These may include errors, failures or bugs in our self-developed
software applications and test security technologies, breakdowns or failures of our servers and
computer networks, and connectivity failures between our networks. While we have not to date
experienced major problems due to errors, breakdowns, failures, bugs or defects, we cannot assure
you that we will not experience such problems in the future. If such a problem were to occur, it
could disrupt or compromise the integrity of the test taking process or of test content and
results, which could lead to negative publicity and loss of clients and may subject us to liability
claims. Although we have established a formal crisis management system to respond to technical
problems, it has never been tested in a real crisis situation. Any litigation or negative publicity
resulting from an error or failure, with or without merit, could result in substantial costs and
divert managements attention and resources from our business and operations.
If we fail to maintain a strong brand identity, our business may not grow and our financial
results may be adversely impacted.
We believe that maintaining and enhancing the value of the ATA brand is important to
attracting clients. Our success in maintaining brand awareness will depend on our ability to
consistently provide high quality, value-adding, user-friendly and secure products and services. As
we develop our test preparation and training solutions, we plan to accelerate our efforts to
establish a wider recognition of the ATA brand to attract students from all over China and around
the world to our test preparation and training solutions. To establish a wider recognition of our
ATA brand among students and test takers, we may need to spend significant resources on
advertising and distribution channels. As we have limited experience with advertising and other
activities required to establish a widely recognized brand, we cannot assure you that we will
effectively allocate our resources for these activities or succeed in maintaining and broadening
our brand recognition and appeal. If we fail to maintain a strong brand identity, our business may
not grow and our financial results may be adversely impacted.
Actions by our authorized test centers could lead to damage to our brand and reputation, which
could cause us to incur substantial costs and strain our relationships with our clients.
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As of March 31, 2009, we had contractual relationships with 1,925 authorized test centers. We
do not own these centers and their employees are not our employees. Under our contracts with these
test centers, we require them to provide sufficient facilities to properly administer
computer-based tests and to follow prescribed guidelines for facility maintenance and test
administration. We also conduct regular reviews of their facilities and operations and provide
consulting services on test administration. However, our contractual arrangements with the test
centers provide us with only limited ability to oversee their activities, and most test centers
engage in other activities, such as serving as classrooms, when not administering tests. If a test
center were to engage in unauthorized or unlawful conduct, whether related to administering
computer-based tests or otherwise, our clients, prospective clients and the general public may
associate this conduct with our brand, and negative publicity associated with this conduct could
harm our reputation and lessen overall demand for computer-based testing services. Furthermore, our
business may also be adversely affected if our authorized test centers do not maintain their
premises, administer our computer-based tests in a manner consistent with our standards and
requirements, or hire qualified personnel and train them properly. In addition, a liability claim
against an ATA authorized test center or any center personnel may result in unfavorable publicity
for us, our products and services and our other test centers, and could damage our brand and
reputation, whether or not the claim is successful. While we may terminate our contracts and
relationships with our authorized test centers if any of these events were to occur, we may not be
able to identify problems or take action quickly enough to prevent harm to our reputation.
We may face increasing competition from international and Chinese competitors, and may face
increasing competition from domestic rivals. If we fail to successfully compete, our revenues and
market share may decrease, and our results of operations may be adversely affected.
We face a number of Chinese international competitors. Some of these competitors have longer
operating histories, better recognized brands, larger technical staffs, stronger relationships with
our existing IT industry clients and/or greater financial, technical and marketing resources than
we possess. In addition, because the markets for the services we offer are relatively new and
growing rapidly, we anticipate that new entrants, both domestic and international, will try to gain
market share from us. In the future, competitors may introduce new technologies, products and
services that have better performance, offer lower prices and gain broader acceptance than our
technologies, products and services. Such new products may reduce the overall market for our
products and services.
In the computer-based testing services market, Prometric and Pearson VUE are our main
competitors. We compete with these and other computer-based testing services providers primarily on
the basis of technology, price, management experience and established infrastructure. In the
future, as more companies enter this market, we believe pricing may become increasingly competitive
as well. For our HR Select employee assessment solution, many recruitment service companies in
China, such as 51jobs.com, ChinaHR and Zhaopin.com, provide similar testing services to help
employers screen candidates. However, we believe their main business focus is in the area of job
postings and candidate search, while we focus on offering more professional testing services with
proprietary testing technologies. While TOEIC is well-established globally as a leading business
English assessment tool, there is a broad range of competing English certification programs
available in China, including the Chinese government-administered College English Test, or CET 4
and 6 exams, one of the most popular English certification programs developed domestically and
taken by over ten million test takers a year, and other international commercial English
certifications such as Business English Certificates, or BEC, and Business Language Testing
Service, or BULTAS, from Cambridge ESOL. In relation to our career-oriented educational services,
we face competition from international companies, such as Aptech Limited and NIIT Limited. Aptech
Limited operates in China primarily through its joint venture with BeiDa Jade Bird. Although these
two companies offer IT-related courses to post-secondary educational institutions in China, based
on our market experience and client communications we believe they do not directly compete with our
products and services. For example, these two companies design their own course content and exams
and provide passing students with their own proprietary certifications, rather than offering course
content and certifications designed by well-known IT vendors, as we do. Traditional Chinese test
preparation material providers, such as publishing companies, indirectly compete with our test
preparation and training solutions. Increased competition could cause us to lose clients or make it
necessary for us to reduce our prices in order to retain our clients, which may negatively affect
our revenues and results of operations.
We depend on our key personnel and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their
services and are unable to replace them.
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Our future success is dependent upon the continued services of our key executives, as we rely
on their industry experience and expertise in our business operations. In particular, we rely
heavily on our co-founders Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, our chairman and chief executive officer, and Walter
Lin Wang, our president, for their business vision, management skills, technical expertise,
experience in the testing, IT and education industries and working relationships with many of our
clients, shareholders and other participants in the testing, IT and education industries. If either
Mr. Ma or Mr. Wang was unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, or if they
joined a competitor or formed a competing company in violation of their employment agreements, we
may not be able to replace them easily and our business may be severely disrupted. We do not
maintain key-man life insurance for Mr. Ma or Mr. Wang or for any of our other employees.
Because competition for highly skilled employees is intense, we may not be able to attract and
retain the highly skilled employees we need to support our planned growth.
Due to intense market competition for highly skilled workers, we have faced difficulties
locating experienced and skilled personnel in certain areas, such as administration, marketing,
product development, sales, finance and accounting. In particular, we have had difficulty finding
personnel with experience in the relatively new computer-based testing services market. We cannot
assure you that we will be able to attract or retain the key personnel that we will need to achieve
our business objectives. Even if we can find qualified candidates, they may be subject to
non-competition agreements with their prior employers that prevent us from hiring them. In
addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our current skilled personnel.
According to our contracts with our employees, all of our employees are prohibited from engaging in
any activities that compete with our business during the period of their employment and for two
years after termination of their employment with us. Furthermore, all employees are prohibited, for
a period of two years following termination, from soliciting other employees to leave us and, for a
period of five years following termination, from soliciting our existing clients. However, we may
have difficulty enforcing these non-competition and non-solicitation provisions in China because
the Chinese legal system, especially with respect to the enforcement of such provisions, is still
developing.
Many of our contracts with governmental agencies and public educational institutions take the
form of framework agreements and offer little contractual or legal protections, and it may be
impractical for us to pursue or obtain legal remedies against these clients.
Many governmental agencies and other public sector entities in China require the use of simple
framework agreements for the procurement of products and services from us that lack many of the
detailed aspects of our business arrangement. For example, the terms of service may lack the
clarity we would normally have in our contracts with commercial enterprises, or contract terms to
protect our intellectual property may not be as clear and detailed as we would normally have in our
contracts with commercial enterprises. Moreover, it may not be feasible or practicable under
current Chinese law and practice for us to take legal action against our government and public
sector clients to enforce our contractual rights. As a result, we may lack the same contractual or
legal protections, or ability to enforce such protections, that we would normally have under the
contracts we typically enter into with our other clients.
Unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties, including infringement of our
ATA brand, and the expenses incurred in protecting our intellectual property rights, may
adversely affect our business.
Our copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property are important to our
success. In particular, we believe that our ATA brand name represents a valuable asset as we have
sought to gain a reputation for high quality and secure testing services and advanced testing
technologies within our markets. Unauthorized use of any of our intellectual property may adversely
affect our business and reputation. We rely on trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection
and confidentiality agreements with our employees, clients, business partners and others to protect
our intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, it may be possible for third parties to obtain and
use our intellectual property without authorization. The unauthorized use of intellectual property
is common and widespread in China and enforcement of intellectual property rights by Chinese
regulatory agencies is inconsistent. Moreover, litigation may be necessary in the future to enforce
our intellectual property rights. Future litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion
of our managements attention and resources, and could disrupt our business, as well as have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Given the relative
unpredictability of Chinas legal system and potential difficulties
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enforcing a court judgment in China, there is no guarantee that we would be able to halt the
unauthorized use of our intellectual property through litigation.
We may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims, which may force us to incur
substantial legal expenses and, if determined adversely against us, may materially disrupt our
business.
We cannot assure you that our software and other technologies do not or will not infringe upon
patents, valid copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. We may
become subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time relating to the intellectual
property of others in the ordinary course of our business. If we are found to have violated the
intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property,
and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternatives. In addition, we may incur
substantial expenses, and may be forced to divert management and other resources from our business
operations, to defend against these third-party infringement claims, regardless of their merit.
Successful infringement or licensing claims against us may result in substantial monetary
liabilities or may materially disrupt the conduct of our business by restricting or prohibiting our
use of the intellectual property in question.
We may be subject to liability claims for any inaccurate or inappropriate content in our
course programs, which could cause us to incur legal costs and damage our reputation.
For some IT vendors we license the content for our course programs from the IT vendor, while
for others we develop the content ourselves in cooperation with IT vendors and other subject-matter
experts. We generally do not require that these content development partners indemnify or otherwise
compensate us for inaccurate or inappropriate materials included in the course programs.
Furthermore, our agreements for delivery of our course programs do not exclude or limit our
liability for inaccurate or inappropriate course content. Therefore, we may face civil,
administrative or criminal liability if an individual or corporate, governmental or other entity
believes that the content of any of our course programs violates any laws, regulations or
governmental policies or infringes upon its legal rights. Even if such a claim were not successful,
defending such a claim may cause us to incur substantial costs. Moreover, any accusation of
inaccurate or inappropriate conduct could lead to significant negative publicity, which could harm
our reputation and future business prospects.
Because there is limited business insurance coverage in China, any business disruption or
litigation we experience might result in our incurring substantial costs and diverting significant
resources to handle such disruption or litigation.
The insurance industry in China is not fully developed. Insurance companies in China offer
limited business insurance products. While business disruption insurance may be available to a
limited extent in China, we have determined that the risks of disruption and the difficulties and
costs associated with acquiring such insurance render it commercially impractical for us to have
such insurance. As a result, we do not have any business liability, disruption or litigation
insurance coverage for our operations in China. Any business disruption or litigation might result
in our incurring substantial costs and the diversion of resources.
We may face difficulties implementing our acquisition strategy, including identifying suitable
opportunities and integrating acquired businesses and assets with our existing operations, which
could interrupt our business operations or adversely affect our results of operations.
As part of our business strategy, we may seek to broaden our service offerings, obtain
additional clients and strengthen our service quality by acquiring other companies or businesses.
However, our ability to implement our acquisition strategy will depend on a number of factors,
including the availability of suitable acquisition candidates at an acceptable cost or at all, our
ability to compete effectively to attract and reach agreement with acquisition candidates or joint
venture partners on commercially reasonable terms, and the availability of financing to complete
acquisitions or joint ventures as well as our ability to obtain any required government approvals
or licenses. In addition, we cannot assure you that any particular acquisition or joint venture
transaction will produce the intended benefits or synergies. For example, we may not be successful
in integrating acquisitions with our existing operations and personnel. Moreover, the acquisitions
we pursue may require us to expend significant management and other resources, which may result in
interruption to our business operations.
There are other risks associated with acquisitions, including:
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unforeseen or hidden liabilities, including exposure to legal proceedings,
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failure to generate sufficient revenues to offset the costs and expenses of
acquisitions; |
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integration of the management of the acquired business into our own; |
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potential impairment losses or amortization expenses relating to goodwill and
intangible assets arising from any of such acquisitions, which may materially reduce
our net income or result in a net loss; |
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potential conflicts with our existing employees as a result of our integration
of newly acquired companies; and |
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Furthermore, raising capital to finance acquisitions could cause earnings or ownership
dilution to your shareholding interests, which in turn could result in losses to you. Any one or a
combination of the above risks could interrupt our business operations and adversely affect our
results of operations.
We may need additional capital and any failure by us to raise additional capital on terms
favorable to us, or at all, could limit our ability to grow our business and develop or enhance our
product and service offerings to respond to market demand or competitive challenges.
Capital requirements are difficult to plan in our rapidly changing industry. We believe that
our current cash, expected future cash flows from operations, particularly from testing services
and test preparation and training solutions, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated working
capital and capital expenditures for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future beyond that
point. We may, however, require additional cash resources due to changed business conditions or
other future developments, including any investments or acquisitions we may decide to pursue. If
our sources of liquidity are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell
additional equity or debt securities or obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity
securities could result in dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness would
result in increased debt service obligations and could require us to agree to operating and
financing covenants that would restrict our operations. Our ability to obtain additional capital on
acceptable terms is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:
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investors perception of, and demand for, securities of computer-based testing
and education companies; |
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conditions of the U.S. and other capital markets in which we may seek to raise
funds; |
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our future results of operations and financial condition; |
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Chinese government regulation of foreign investment in China; |
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economic, political and other conditions in China; and |
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Chinese government policies relating to the borrowing and remittance outside
China of foreign currency. |
We cannot assure you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us,
if at all. Any failure by us to raise additional funds on terms favorable to us, or at all, could
limit our ability to grow our business and develop or enhance our product and service offerings to
respond to market demand or competitive challenges.
If we fail to establish an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we
may not be able to accurately and timely report our financial results or detect or prevent fraud.
In addition, investor confidence in us and the market price of our ADSs may be adversely impacted
if we find that, or our
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independent registered public accounting firm reports that, our internal control over
financial reporting is ineffective in accordance with the requirements of Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
We are subject to reporting obligations under the U.S. securities laws. The Securities and
Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring every public company to include a management report
on such companys internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains
managements assessment of the effectiveness of the companys internal control over financial
reporting. In addition, an independent registered public accounting firm must report on our
internal control over financial reporting. These requirements are being first applied to this
annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
Our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective
as of March 31, 2009. Our independent registered public accounting firm also issued a report on the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. See Item 15. Control and
Procedures. However, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in
the future, our management and our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to
conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting. Moreover, effective
internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to produce reliable and timely
financial reports, and are important to help prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and
maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor
confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business
and negatively impact the trading price of our ADSs.
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse
U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares.
We believe that we were not a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes for our taxable year ended March 31, 2009, and we do not expect to be a PFIC in
any future taxable year. However, PFIC status is tested each year and depends on the composition of
our assets and income and the value of our assets from time to time. Since we currently hold, and
expect to continue to hold, a substantial amount of cash and other passive assets and, since the
value of our assets is to be determined in large part by reference to the market prices of our ADSs
and ordinary shares, which is likely to fluctuate over time, there can be no assurance that we will
not be a PFIC for any future taxable year. If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a
U.S. investor held our ADSs or ordinary shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax
consequences would apply to the U.S. investor. See Item 10. Additional Information E. Taxation
United States Federal Income Taxation Passive Foreign Investment Company.
Risks Relating to Regulation of Our Business
Changes to Chinese government regulation of, or policies relating to, tuition fees may have a
material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, 50.4%, 28.2% and 19.6%,
respectively, of our total net revenues came from license fees charged to vocational schools and
other educational institutions in China for our career-oriented test-based educational services. We
receive license fees for our educational services on a per-student basis. If the tuition fees
chargeable by our educational institution clients were to decline, we may have difficulty
maintaining or raising the per-student fees we charge for our educational services. As tuition fees
are heavily regulated in China, any change in policy lowering or eliminating tuition fees
chargeable by vocational schools or other educational institutions may have a negative impact on
our pricing power and revenues generated from the license of our educational services. The Chinese
government has tightened controls on tuition and other fees collected by certain types of
educational institutions in China. While this has not had a noticeable impact on tuition fees
chargeable for courses taught using our educational services, in the future there may be changes to
Chinese policies and regulations regarding tuition fees that will have a negative impact on our
business and results of operations.
Changes to preferential policies adopted by the Chinese government related to vocational
education may negatively affect our business and results of operations.
The Chinese government has adopted preferential policies for the development of vocational
schools in China, including The Decision to Enhance the Promotion of the Reform and Development of
Vocational
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Education and The Decision to Enhance the Development of Vocational Education published by
the State Council in September 2002 and October 2005, respectively. These decisions require all
levels of government in China to intensify their support for vocational education and to gradually
increase the financial resources that local and provincial governments allocate to vocational
education. We believe that these governmental policies have encouraged clients to purchase our
services and increased the funding available for purchasing our course programs. If these
preferential policies were to be reduced or eliminated, it may negatively affect our business and
results of operations.
Substantial uncertainties and restrictions exist with respect to the application and
implementation of Chinese laws and regulations relating to Internet content distribution. If the
Chinese government finds that the structure for our online test preparation services and other
services we provide through the Internet do not comply with Chinese laws and regulations, we could
be subject to penalties and may not be able to continue those businesses.
The Chinese government regulates Internet access, the distribution of online information, the
conduct of online commerce and the provision of online services through strict business licensing
requirements and other government regulations. These laws and regulations also include limitations
on foreign ownership of Chinese companies that provide Internet content. Specifically, foreign
investors are not allowed to own more than a 50% equity interest in any Chinese company engaging in
Internet content provision.
Because we are a Cayman Islands company, we and our Chinese subsidiaries and their branch
companies in China are treated as foreign or foreign-invested enterprises under Chinese laws and
regulations. To comply with Chinese laws and regulations, we conduct our online businesses in China
through a series of contractual arrangements entered into among us, ATA Learning (Beijing) Inc., or
ATA Learning and ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited, or ATA Online, which is a
domestic Chinese company incorporated in the PRC and owned by Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, our co-founder,
chairman and chief executive officer and Walter Lin Wang, our co-founder, director and president.
Our contractual arrangements with ATA Online include a technical support agreement and a strategic
consulting service agreement. These contractual arrangements also include an equity pledge
agreement entered into with each of the shareholders of ATA Online and a call option and
cooperation agreement entered into with ATA Online and its shareholders. Under PRC law, a pledge of
equity interests can only be valid after such pledge is registered at the relevant agency. However,
we are not aware that any application for registration of an equity pledge has been processed by
the local administration for industry and commerce in Beijing due to the lack of registration
procedures, and we have therefore not yet registered our equity pledge over ATA Onlines equity.
ATA Online intends to register the equity pledge once the local registration authority implements
registration procedures.
ATA Online holds a Telecommunications and Information Services Operating License, or ICP
license, issued by the Beijing Telecommunications Administration Bureau, a local branch of the
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, or MIIT, which allows ATA Online to provide
Internet content distribution services. This license is essential to the operation of our online
test preparation and training services business, which accounted for 4.1% of our total net revenues
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
The relevant Chinese regulatory authorities have broad discretion in determining whether a
particular contractual structure is in violation of Chinese law. If our ATA Online corporate and
contractual structure is deemed by MIIT to be illegal, either in whole or in part, we may have to
modify such structure to comply with regulatory requirements. However, we cannot assure you that we
can achieve this without material disruption to our business. Further, if our ATA Online corporate
and contractual structure is found to be in violation of any existing or future Chinese laws or
regulations, the relevant regulatory authorities would have broad discretion in dealing with such
violations, including:
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levying fines on us; |
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confiscating any of our income that they deem to be obtained through illegal
operations; |
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shutting down a portion or all of our servers or blocking a portion or all of
our web site; |
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imposing conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply; |
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requiring us to restructure our corporate and contractual structure; |
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restricting or prohibiting our use of the proceeds from our initial public
offering to finance ATA Onlines business and operations; and |
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taking other regulatory or enforcement actions that could be harmful to our
business. |
Realization of any of these events could materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Our contractual arrangements with ATA Online may be subject to scrutiny by the Chinese tax
authorities and create a potential double layer of taxation for our revenue-generating services
conducted by ATA Online.
We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the Chinese tax authorities determine
that our contractual arrangements with ATA Online were not priced at arms length for purposes of
determining tax liability. If the Chinese tax authorities determine that these contracts were not
entered into on an arms-length basis, they may adjust our income and expenses for Chinese tax
purposes in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. A transfer pricing adjustment could result
in a reduction, for Chinese tax purposes, of deductions recorded by ATA Online, which could
adversely affect us by increasing the tax liabilities of ATA Online. This increased tax liability
could further result in late payment fees and other penalties to ATA Online for underpaid taxes.
Any payments we make under these arrangements or adjustments in payments under these arrangements
that we may decide to make in the future will be subject to the same risk.
To date, no specific prices for the services to be performed by ATA Testing Authority
(Beijing) Limited, or ATA Testing, under the contractual arrangements have been set, no such
services have been performed, and no payments have been invoiced or made under any of the contracts
between ATA Testing and ATA Online. Prices for such services will be set prospectively and
therefore we do not currently have a basis to believe that any of the payments to be made under the
contracts will or will not be considered arms length for purposes of determining tax liability.
Prior to setting prices and terms under the contracts, we intend to engage a third party to review
any proposed prices and terms to determine whether they would qualify as arms-length.
Our contractual arrangements with ATA Online and its shareholders do not provide us with
ownership interest in ATA Online. If ATA Online or its shareholders fail to perform their
respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to legally enforce such
arrangements and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and
adversely affected if these arrangements cannot be enforced.
We rely on contractual arrangements with ATA Online and its shareholders for operating, and
for receiving the economic benefits from, our online test preparation services. However, these
contractual arrangements do not provide us with ownership interest in ATA Online.
These contractual arrangements are governed by Chinese or Hong Kong Law and provide for the
resolution of disputes through arbitration in the PRC. Accordingly, these contracts would be
interpreted in accordance with Chinese or Hong Kong Law and any disputes would be resolved in
accordance with Chinese or Hong Kong legal procedures. If ATA Online or its shareholders fail to
perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we may have to (i) incur
substantial costs and resources to enforce such arrangements, and (ii) rely on legal remedies under
Chinese or Hong Kong Law, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming
damages, which we cannot be sure would be effective. For example, if Kevin Xiaofeng Ma were to
terminate his employment with us, he would be obligated pursuant to these contractual arrangements
to transfer his share ownership in ATA Online to us or our designee. If he were to refuse to effect
such a transfer, or if he were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take
legal action to compel him to fulfill his contractual obligations. However, the legal environment
in the PRC is not as developed as in the United States and uncertainties in the Chinese legal
system could limit our ability to enforce
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these contractual arrangements. In the event that we are unable to enforce these contractual
arrangements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and
adversely affected.
The shareholders of ATA Online may have potential conflicts of interest with us, which may
materially and adversely affect our business and financial condition.
The shareholders of ATA Online, Kevin Xiaofeng Ma and Walter Lin Wang, are also beneficial
holders of our common shares. They are also directors of both ATA Online and our company. Conflicts
of interests between their dual roles as shareholders and directors of both ATA Online and our
company may arise. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise, any or all of these
individuals will act in the best interests of our company or that conflicts of interests will be
resolved in our favor. In addition, these individuals may breach or cause ATA Online to breach or
refuse to renew the existing contractual arrangements that allow us to receive economic benefits
from ATA Online. Currently, we do not have existing arrangements to address potential conflicts of
interest between these individuals and our company. We rely on these individuals to abide by the
laws of the Cayman Islands and China, both of which provide that directors owe a fiduciary duty to
the company, which requires them to act in good faith and in the best interests of the company and
not to use their positions for personal gain. If we cannot resolve any conflicts of interest or
disputes between us and the shareholders of ATA Online, we would have to rely on legal proceedings,
which could result in disruption of our business and substantial uncertainty as to the outcome of
any such legal proceedings.
We may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by ATA Online that are important to the
operation of our business if ATA Online goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or
liquidation proceeding.
To comply with PRC laws and regulations relating to foreign ownership restrictions in the
Internet content distribution businesses, we currently conduct our operations in China through
contractual arrangements with ATA Online. As part of these arrangements, ATA Online holds certain
of the assets that are important to the operation of our online test preparation business. If ATA
Online goes bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party
creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of our online test preparation business
operations, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations. If ATA Online undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding,
its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these
assets, thereby hindering our ability to operate our online test preparation business, which could
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and result of operations.
If the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, or another PRC regulatory agency
determines that CSRC approval was required in connection with our initial public offering, we may
become subject to penalties.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the CSRC, promulgated the Provisions
Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule,
which became effective on September 8, 2006. The M&A Rule, among other things, requires that an
offshore company controlled by PRC companies or individuals that has acquired a PRC domestic
company for the purpose of listing the PRC domestic companys equity interest on an overseas stock
exchange must obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such offshore
companys securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006 the CSRC, pursuant to the
M&A Rule, published on its official web site procedures specifying documents and materials required
to be submitted to it by offshore companies seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings.
We believe CSRC approval was not required for our initial public offering in February 2008
because the CSRC approval required under the M&A Rule only applies to an offshore company that has
acquired a domestic PRC company for the purpose of listing the domestic PRC companys equity
interest on an overseas stock exchange, while (i) we obtained our equity interest in each of our
PRC subsidiaries by means of direct investment other than by acquisition of the equity or assets of
a PRC domestic company and (ii) our contractual arrangements with ATA Online do not constitute the
acquisition of ATA Online. However, if it is determined that CSRC approval was required, we may
face regulatory actions or other sanctions from the CSRC or other PRC regulatory agencies. These
regulatory agencies may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our operating
privileges in China, or take other actions that could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation and prospects, as well as the
trading price of our ADSs.
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The M&A Rule establishes more complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by
foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions
in China.
The M&A Rule establishes additional procedures and requirements that could make some
acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including
requirements in some instances that the Ministry of Commerce be notified in advance of any
change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a Chinese domestic
enterprise. In the future, we may grow our business in part by acquiring complementary businesses,
although we do not have any plans to do so at this time. Complying with the requirements of the
M&A Rule to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval
processes, including obtaining approval from the Ministry of Commerce, may delay or inhibit our
ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or
maintain our market share.
Because we may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our current and
future Chinese subsidiaries for our cash requirements, restrictions under Chinese law on their
ability to make such payments could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow, make
investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and otherwise
fund and conduct our businesses.
We have adopted a holding company structure, and our holding companies may rely on dividends
and other distributions on equity paid by our current and future Chinese subsidiaries for their
cash requirements, including the funds necessary to service any debt we may incur or financing we
may need for operations other than through our Chinese subsidiaries. Chinese legal restrictions
permit payments of dividends by our Chinese subsidiaries only out of their accumulated after-tax
profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC GAAP. Our Chinese subsidiaries are also required
under Chinese laws and regulations to allocate at least 10% of their after-tax profits determined
in accordance with PRC GAAP to statutory reserves until such reserves reach 50% of the companys
registered capital. Allocations to these statutory reserves and funds can only be used for
specific purposes and are not transferable to us in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends.
As of March 31, 2008 and 2009, the PRC consolidated entities appropriated RMB0.1 million and RMB3.3 million ($0.5 million), respectively, to the general reserve fund, which is restricted for
distribution to the Company. Any limitations on the ability of our Chinese subsidiaries to
transfer funds to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or
acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends and otherwise fund and conduct
our business.
The discontinuation of any of the preferential tax treatments currently enjoyed by our
subsidiaries in the PRC could materially increase our tax obligations.
Prior to January 1, 2008, the effective date of the new PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or new
EIT Law, both domestic and foreign-invested enterprises were generally subject to an enterprise
income tax rate of 33% in the PRC under the relevant tax laws. Prior to January 1, 2008, our
subsidiaries incorporated in China, ATA Testing and ATA Learning, were governed by the PRC
Enterprise Income Tax Law for Foreign-Invested Enterprises and Foreign Enterprises. Our
consolidated VIE ATA Online was subject to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Provisional Regulations.
However, qualified high-and-new technology enterprises incorporated in high-and-new technology
development zones designated by the State Council might enjoy a reduced enterprise income tax rate
of 15%. As a high-and-new technology enterprise incorporated in the Beijing High-Tech Development
Experimental Zone, which was a designated high-and-new technology development zone, each of ATA
Testing, ATA Learning and ATA Online was entitled to a preferential-enterprise income tax rate of
15%.
Effective from January 1, 2008, the New EIT Law imposes a tax rate of 25% on all enterprises,
including foreign-invested enterprises, and terminates many of the tax exemptions, reductions and
preferential treatments available under previous tax laws and regulations. However, under the New
EIT Law, enterprises that were established before March 16, 2007 and already enjoy preferential tax
treatments will continue to enjoy them (i) in the case of certain preferential tax rates that are
specified by tax legislations, for a transition period of five years from January 1, 2008 or (ii)
in the case of tax exemption or reduction for a specified term, until the expiration of such term.
Under the New EIT Law, qualified advanced-and-new technology enterprises elegible for key support
from the State (ANTE) are entitled to a preferential tax rate of 15%. In January 2009, ATA
Testing successfully obtained its ANTE certificate under the New EIT Law and new high-tech regime
and is therefore recognized as an ANTE and qualified for a preferential tax rate of 15%. However,
the ANTE certificate is only valid for a period of three years starting from 2008 to 2010. The
continued qualification of an ANTE for calendar years of 2009 and 2010 will be subject to annual
evaluation by the relevant government authority in
23
China. In addition, ATA Testing will need to apply for an additional three-year extension
upon the expiration of the current qualification certificate if it desires to continue to enjoy the
15% reduced rate. We cannot assure you that ATA Testing will continue to qualify as an ANTE under
the New EIT Law, or that the local tax authorities will not, in the future, change their position
and revoke any of our past preferential tax treatments.
The discontinuation of any of our preferential tax treatments could materially increase our
tax obligations and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
If we receive dividends from our operating subsidiaries located in the PRC, such dividends may
be subject to PRC withholding tax.
The newly enacted PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the New EIT Law, and the implementation
regulations for the New EIT Law issued by the PRC State Council, became effective as of January 1,
2008. The New EIT Law provides that a maximum income tax rate of 20% may be applicable to dividends
payable to non-PRC investors that are non-resident enterprises, to the extent such dividends are
derived from sources within the PRC if such dividends are derived from profits generated after
January 1, 2008, and the State Council has reduced such rate to 10% through the implementation
regulations. We are a Cayman Islands holding company and may receive dividends from our operating
subsidiaries located in the PRC. Thus, dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries in China may be
subject to the 10% income tax if we are considered as a non-resident enterprise under the New EIT
Law. If we are required under the New EIT Law to pay income tax for any dividends we receive from
our subsidiaries, our income tax expenses will be increased and the amount of dividends, if any, we
may pay to our shareholders and ADS holders may be materially and adversely affected.
Under the New EIT Law, we may be classified as a resident enterprise of China. Such
classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and U.S. holders of our
ADSs or ordinary shares.
Under the New EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with its de facto
management body in China is considered a resident enterprise, meaning that it can be treated the
same as a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. In addition, a recent circular
issued by the State Administration of Taxation on April 22, 2009 regarding the standards used to
classify certain Chinese-invested enterprises established outside of China as resident
enterprises clarified that dividends and other income paid by such resident enterprises will be
considered to be PRC source income, subject to PRC withholding tax currently at a rate of 10%, when
paid to non-PRC enterprise shareholders. This recent circular also subjects such resident
enterprises to various reporting requirements with the PRC tax authorities. Under the
implementation regulations to the enterprise income tax, a de facto management body is defined as
a body that exercises substantial and overall management and control over the manufacturing and
business operations, personnel, and human resources, finances and properties of an enterprise. In
addition, the recent circular mentioned above details that certain Chinese-invested enterprises
will be classified as resident enterprises if the following are located or resident in China:
senior management personnel and departments that are responsible for daily production, operation
and management; financial and personnel decision making bodies; key properties, accounting books,
company seal, and minutes of board meetings and shareholders meetings; and half or more of the
senior management or directors having voting rights.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that our Cayman Islands holding company is a resident
enterprise for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences
could follow. First, we will be subject to enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide
income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. This would mean that income such
as interest on offering proceeds and other non-China source income would be subject to PRC
enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%, in comparison to no taxation in the Cayman Islands. Second,
although under the New EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us by our PRC
subsidiaries would qualify as tax-exempt income, we cannot guarantee that such dividends will not
be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce
the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound
remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax
purposes. Finally, a 10% withholding tax will be imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC
enterprise shareholders, and future guidance may extend the withholding tax to dividends we pay to
our non-PRC individual shareholders and gains derived by our non-PRC shareholders from transferring
our ADSs or ordinary shares. Similar results would follow if our BVI holding company is considered
a PRC resident enterprise. In addition to the uncertainty in how the new resident enterprise
classification could apply, it is also possible that the rules may change in the future, possibly
24
with retroactive effect. We are closely monitoring the development of this area of rules and
are evaluating appropriate arrangements of our management activity to avoid being classified as a
PRC resident enterprise.
Chinese regulation of loans and direct investments by offshore holding companies or their
Chinese subsidiaries or affiliates may restrict our ability to execute our business strategy.
In order to execute our business strategy, we must invest the funds in our Chinese
subsidiaries, through loans or capital contributions, and in our affiliated PRC entity, ATA Online,
through loans. Under applicable Chinese laws, any loan made by us to ATA Testing or ATA Learning,
both of which are foreign-invested enterprises, cannot exceed statutory limits tied to each
companys registered capital and total investment as approved by the Ministry of Commerce or its
local counterpart, and all such loans must be registered with Chinas State Administration of
Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, or its local counterpart. Loans by us to ATA Online, as a domestic PRC
enterprise, must be approved by the relevant government authority and must also be registered with
SAFE. We may also decide to finance ATA Testing or ATA Learning by increasing their registered
capital through capital contributions. The Ministry of Commerce or its local counterpart must
approve any capital contributions to ATA Testing or ATA Learning.
A failure by us to obtain the necessary government approvals or complete any required
registrations for a capital contribution, an increase in approved total investment or a loan on a
timely basis, may restrict our ability to execute our business strategy.
A failure by our shareholders who are Chinese citizens or resident in China to comply with
regulations issued by SAFE could restrict our ability to distribute profits, restrict our overseas
and cross-border investment activities or subject us to liability under Chinese laws, which could
adversely affect our business and prospects.
In October 2005, SAFE, issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign
Exchange in Fund-raising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via
Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or Notice 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005.
Notice 75 states that Chinese residents must register with the relevant local SAFE branch in
connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of
overseas equity financing involving a round-trip investment whereby the offshore entity acquires or
controls onshore assets or equity interests held by the Chinese residents. On May 29, 2007, SAFE
issued the Notice of Operation Guidance for Notice 75, or Notice 106, according to which Chinese
resident shareholders in an offshore company which has at least two years operating history and has
made investment in China can apply for registration under Notice 75. There is no deadline for such
registration.
We have urged our Chinese resident shareholders to register under Notice 75 and they are
currently in the application process. However, we cannot assure you that their applications will
be accepted by SAFE. Failure by such shareholders to comply with Notice 75 could subject us to
fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our
subsidiaries ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure,
which could adversely affect our business and prospects. See Risks Relating to Regulation of Our
Business Because we rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our
current and future Chinese subsidiaries for our cash requirements, restrictions under Chinese law
on their ability to make such payments could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow,
make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and
otherwise fund and conduct our businesses.
Risks Relating to the Peoples Republic of China
Chinese economic, political and social conditions, as well as changes in any government
policies, laws and regulations, could adversely affect the overall economy in China or the
prospects of the industries in which we operate, which in turn could reduce our net revenues.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects are subject, to a significant extent, to
economic, political and social developments in China. The growth of Chinas economy has experienced
a significant slowdown since the second quarter of 2008, when the quarterly growth rate of Chinas
gross domestic product reached 10.4%. A number of factors have contributed to this slowdown,
including the recent global crisis in the financial services and credit markets, which in recent
months has resulted in extreme volatility and dislocation of the global capital markets. In
25
the first half of 2009, the growth rate of Chinas gross domestic product decreased to 7.1% as
compared with the first half of 2008.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects,
including the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of
foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Although the Chinese economy has been transitioning
from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy since the late 1970s, the Chinese
government continues to play a significant role in regulating industry development by imposing
industrial policies. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over Chinas
economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling the incurrence and payment of
foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential
treatment to particular industries or companies. Changes in any of these policies, laws and
regulations could adversely affect the overall economy in China or the prospects of the industries
in which we operate, which could harm our business.
Chinas social and political conditions are also not as stable as those of the United States
and other developed countries. Any sudden changes to Chinas political system or the occurrence of
widespread social unrest could have negative effects on our business and results of operations. In
addition, China has contentious relations with some of its neighbors, most notably Taiwan. A
significant further deterioration in such relations could have negative effects on the Chinese
economy and lead to changes in governmental policies that would be adverse to our business
interests.
The Chinese legal system embodies uncertainties that could limit the legal protections
available to you and us.
Unlike common law systems, the Chinese legal system is based on written statutes and decided
legal cases have little precedential value. In 1979, the Chinese government began to promulgate a
comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall
effect of legislation since then has been to significantly enhance the protections afforded to
various forms of foreign investment in China. Our Chinese operating subsidiaries, ATA Testing and
ATA Learning, are wholly foreign-owned enterprises, which are enterprises incorporated in China and
wholly owned by foreign investors, and both are subject to laws and regulations applicable to
foreign investment in China in general and laws and regulations applicable to wholly foreign-owned
enterprises in particular. Our affiliated entity, ATA Online, is subject to laws and regulations
governing the formation and conduct of domestic PRC companies. Relevant Chinese laws, regulations
and legal requirements may change frequently, and their interpretation and enforcement involve
uncertainties. For example, we may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to
enforce the legal protection that we enjoy either by law or contract. However, since Chinese
administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in interpreting and implementing
statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative
and court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal
systems. Such uncertainties, including the inability to enforce our contracts and intellectual
property rights, could materially and adversely affect our business and operations. In addition,
confidentiality protections in China may not be as effective as in the United States or other
countries. Accordingly, we cannot predict the effect of future developments in the Chinese legal
system, particularly with regard to the computer-based testing services sectors, including the
promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws or the interpretation or enforcement thereof, or
the preemption of local regulations by national laws. These uncertainties could limit the legal
protections available to us and other foreign investors, including you.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively
and the ability of our Chinese subsidiaries to obtain financing.
A substantial majority of our revenues and operating expenses are denominated in Renminbi.
Restrictions on currency exchange imposed by the Chinese government may limit our ability to
utilize revenues generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside China, if any, or
expenditures denominated in foreign currencies. Under current Chinese regulations, Renminbi may be
freely converted into foreign currency for payments relating to current account transactions,
which include among other things dividend payments and payments for the import of goods and
services, by complying with certain procedural requirements. Although the Renminbi has been fully
convertible for current account transactions since 1996, we cannot assure you that the relevant
Chinese government authorities will not limit or eliminate our ability to purchase and retain
foreign currencies for current account transactions in the future.
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Conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies, and of foreign currencies into Renminbi, for
payments relating to capital account transactions, which principally include investments and
loans, generally requires the approval of SAFE and other relevant Chinese governmental authorities.
Restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi for capital account transactions could affect
the ability of our Chinese subsidiaries to make investments overseas or to obtain foreign exchange
through debt or equity financing, including by means of loans or capital contributions from us.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses.
Because substantially all of our revenues and expenditures are denominated in Renminbi,
fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi will affect our balance
sheet and earnings per share in U.S. dollars. In addition, appreciation or depreciation in the
value of the Renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in
U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of
operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend
we issue that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars and earnings from and the value of any U.S.
dollar-denominated investments we make in the future.
The Renminbi has appreciated steadily versus the U.S. dollar since the Chinese government
stopped pegging the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar in July 2005. Although currently the Renminbi
exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar is restricted to a rise or fall of no more than 0.5% per day
and the Peoples Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent
significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the Renminbi may appreciate or depreciate
significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. See Item 3.A. regarding
recent exchange rate movements between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar. In the future Chinese
authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate and lessen
intervention in the foreign exchange market.
Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange
rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to
reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we may decide to enter into hedging
transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these hedging transactions may be
limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our currency
exchange losses may be magnified by Chinese exchange control regulations that restrict our ability
to convert Renminbi into foreign currency.
Any future outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome or avian flu in China, or similar
adverse public health developments, may disrupt our business and operations.
Our business and operations could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of
avian influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, or other similar adverse public health
development. In recent years, there have been reports on the occurrences of avian influenza in
various parts of China and neighboring countries, including a few confirmed human cases. China
reported the occurrence of a number of cases of H1N1 virus in China related to the global outbreak
of H1N1 that began in the first half of 2009. Any prolonged recurrence of an adverse public health
development may result in health or other government authorities requiring the closure of our
offices or the offices of our clients, or the cancellation of exams or classes to avoid students
and others from congregating in closed spaces. Such occurrences would disrupt our business
operations and adversely affect our results of operations. We have not adopted any written
preventive measures or contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of avian flu, SARS or any
other epidemic.
Risks Relating to Our ADS
Our ADS price and the ADS or stock prices of other companies with business operations
primarily in China have fluctuated widely in recent years, which could result in substantial losses
to investors.
The trading prices of our ADSs are volatile, and this volatility may continue. For instance,
between April 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009, our ADS price as reported on Nasdaq ranged between a
low of $2.75 and a high of $17.45. Though we believe the recent fluctuation resulted mainly from
the current worldwide market disruption, numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control,
may cause the market price of our ADSs to fluctuate significantly. In particular, the performance
and fluctuation of the market prices of other technology companies with business operations mainly
in China that have listed their securities in the United States may affect the
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volatility in the price of and trading volumes for our ADSs. In recent years, a number of
Chinese companies have listed their securities, or are in the process of preparing for listing
their securities, on U.S. stock markets. Some of these companies have experienced significant
volatility, including significant price declines in connection with their initial public offerings.
The trading performances of these Chinese companies securities at the time of or after their
offerings may affect the overall investor sentiment towards Chinese companies listed in the United
States and consequently may impact the trading performance of our ADSs. These broad market and
industry factors may significantly affect the market price and volatility of our ADSs, regardless
of our actual operating performance.
In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our ADSs may be
highly volatile for specific business reasons. Factors such as variations in our revenues, earnings
and cash flow, announcements of new investments, cooperation arrangements or acquisitions, and
fluctuations in market prices for our services could cause the market price for our ADSs to change
substantially. Any of these factors may result in large and sudden changes in the volume and price
at which our ADSs will trade. We cannot give any assurance that these factors will not occur in the
future.
The sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of our ADSs could adversely affect
their market price.
Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the public market or the perception that these
sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our ADSs and could materially impair
our future ability to raise capital through offerings of our ADSs.
As of September 14, 2009, there are 45,675,514 common shares outstanding. In addition, there
are outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 3,435,468 common shares, including options to
purchase an aggregate of 2,987,862 common shares immediately exercisable as of the date of this
annual report. All of the ADSs sold in our initial public offering are freely tradable without
restriction or further registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act,
unless held by our affiliates as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act.
Subject to applicable restrictions and limitations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933,
all of our shares outstanding as of the date of this annual report eligible for sale in the public
market. In addition, the common shares subject to options for the purchase of our common shares
will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of
various vesting agreements, the lock-up agreements described below and Rules 144 and 701 under the
Securities Act of 1933. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will
be sold in the public market, the trading price of our common shares could decline.
A significant percentage of our outstanding common shares are held by a small number of our
existing shareholders, and these shareholders may have significantly greater influence on us and
our corporate actions by nature of the size of their shareholdings relative to our public
shareholders.
Four of our existing shareholders, Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, Lijun Mai, Walter Lin Wang and SB Asia
Investment Fund II L.P., beneficially own, collectively, approximately 59.8% of our outstanding
common shares as of August 31, 2009. Each of these shareholders is an affiliate within the meaning
of the Securities Act, due to the size of their respective shareholdings in us. SB Asia Investment
Fund II L.P. has one board representative on our five-director board, and beneficially owns
approximately 29.5% of our outstanding common shares as of August 31, 2009. Accordingly, these
shareholders have had, and may continue to have, significant influence in determining the outcome
of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the shareholders for approval, including
mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of
directors and other significant corporate actions. In addition, without the consent of these
shareholders, we could be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents may discourage our acquisition by a
third party, which could limit your opportunity to sell your shares at a premium.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association include provisions that could
limit the ability of others to acquire control of us, modify our structure or cause us to engage in
change of control transactions, including, among other things, the following:
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provisions that restrict the ability of our shareholders to call meetings and
to propose special matters for consideration at shareholder meetings; and |
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provisions that authorize our board of directors, without action by our
shareholders, to issue preferred shares and to issue additional common shares,
including common shares represented by ADSs. |
These provisions could have the effect of depriving you of an opportunity to sell your ADSs at
a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to acquire
control of us in a tender offer or similar transactions.
The voting rights of holders of ADSs must be exercised in accordance with the terms of the
deposit agreement, the ADRs, and the procedures established by the depositary. The process of
voting through the depositary may involve delays that limit the time available to you to consider
proposed shareholders actions and also may restrict your ability to subsequently revise your
voting instructions.
A holder of ADSs may exercise its voting rights with respect to the underlying common shares
only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement and the ADRs. We do not recognize
holders of ADSs representing our common shares as our shareholders, and instead we recognize the
ADS depositary as our shareholder.
When the depositary receives from us notice of any shareholders meeting, it will distribute
the information in the meeting notice and any proxy solicitation materials to you. The depositary
will determine the record date for distributing these materials, and only ADS holders registered
with the depositary on that record date will, subject to applicable laws, be entitled to instruct
the depositary to vote the underlying common shares. The depositary will also determine and inform
you of the manner for you to give your voting instructions, including instructions to give
discretionary proxies to a person designated by us. Upon receipt of voting instructions of a holder
of ADSs, the depositary will endeavor to vote the underlying common shares in accordance with these
instructions. You may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders meeting for you to withdraw
your common shares and cast your vote with respect to any proposed resolution, as a holder of our
common shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send materials
relating to the meeting and voting instruction forms to you, or to carry out your voting
instructions, in a timely manner. We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials
in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. The additional time
required for the depositary to receive from us and distribute to you meeting notices and materials,
and for you to give voting instructions to the depositary with respect to the underlying common
shares, will result in your having less time to consider meeting notices and materials than holders
of common shares who receive such notices and materials directly from us and who vote their common
shares directly. If you have given your voting instructions to the depositary and subsequently
decide to change those instructions, you may not be able to do so in time for the depositary to
vote in accordance with your revised instructions. The depositary and its agents will not be
responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote
is cast or for the effect of any such vote.
Except in limited circumstances, the depositary for our ADSs will give us a discretionary
proxy to vote our common shares underlying your ADSs if you do not vote at shareholders meetings,
which could adversely affect your interests.
Under the deposit agreement for the ADSs, the depositary will give us a discretionary proxy to
vote our common shares underlying your ADSs at shareholders meetings if you do not vote, unless we
notify the depositary that:
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we do not wish to receive a discretionary proxy; |
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we think there is substantial shareholder opposition to the particular
question; or |
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we think the subject of the particular question would have a material adverse
impact on our shareholders. |
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The effect of this discretionary proxy is that, absent the situations described above, you
cannot prevent our common shares underlying your ADSs from being voted and it may make it more
difficult for shareholders to influence the management of our company. Holders of our common shares
are not subject to this discretionary proxy.
You may not receive distributions on our common shares or any value for them if such
distribution is illegal or if any required government approval cannot be obtained in order to make
such distribution available to you.
The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or other distributions
it or the custodian for our ADSs receives on our common shares or other deposited securities after
deducting its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number
of our common shares your ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible to make a
distribution available to any holders of ADSs if it decides that it is unlawful to make such
distribution. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it
consisted of securities that required registration under the Securities Act but that were not
properly registered or distributed pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. The
depositary is not responsible for making a distribution available to any holders of ADSs if any
government approval or registration required for such distribution cannot be obtained after
reasonable efforts made by the depositary. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit
the distribution of our ADSs, common shares, rights or anything else to holders of our ADSs. This
means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our common shares or any value for them
if it is unlawful or unreasonable from a regulatory perspective for us to make them available to
you. These restrictions may have a material adverse effect on the value of your ADSs.
You may be subject to limitations on transfer of your ADSs.
Your ADSs represented by ADRs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the
depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in
connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may close its books from time to time
for a number of reasons, including in connection with corporate events such as a rights offering,
during which time the depositary needs to maintain an exact number of ADS holders on its books for
a specified period. The depositary may also close its books in emergencies, and on weekends and
public holidays. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of our ADSs
generally when the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary
thinks it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or any government or government
body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
We are a Cayman Islands company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of
shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than under U.S. federal or state laws, you
may have less protection of your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. federal or state
laws.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association, the Cayman Islands Companies Law and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights
of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the
fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent
governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived
in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as from English
common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman Islands. The
rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Cayman Islands
law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some
jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of
securities laws than the United States. In addition, some jurisdictions, such as Delaware, have
more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Cayman Islands. As
a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their
interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or
controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.
Certain judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.
We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the
United States. Nearly all of our current operations are conducted in China. In addition, most of
our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A
substantial portion of the assets of these
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persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to
effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for
you to enforce in U.S. court judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability
provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, none of
whom is resident in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets is located
outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the
Cayman Islands or China would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts against us or such
persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States
or any state. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether such Cayman Islands or Chinese courts
would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Cayman Islands or China against us or
such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause
dilution to your holdings.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire
our securities. However, we cannot make rights available to you in the United States unless we
register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an
exemption from the registration requirements is available. We are under no obligation to file a
registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a
registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, you may be unable to participate
in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in your holdings.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company
Our predecessor company, American Testing Authority, Inc., a New York company, began
operations in 1999, and in that same year established ATA Testing Authority (Beijing) Limited, or
ATA Testing, as a wholly owned subsidiary in China. In November 2001 our founders established ATA
Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited, or ATA BVI, in the British Virgin Islands. The following year
American Testing Authority, Inc. merged into ATA BVI and ATA BVI became our holding company.
In June 2003, we established a Chinese joint venture company, ATA Learning (Beijing) Inc., or
ATA Learning, with Yinchuan Holding. Initially, we held a 40% equity interest in ATA Learning. We
also had a call option to acquire Yinchuan Holdings 60% equity interest for RMB30 million, and
Yinchuan Holding had a put option that would have obligated us, if exercised, to purchase Yinchuan
Holdings 60% equity interest for RMB30 million. In May 2005, we exercised our call option and
converted ATA Learning into a wholly owned subsidiary of ATA BVI. As the primary beneficiary of ATA
Learning, we have consolidated ATA Learnings results of operations in our U.S. GAAP consolidated
financial statements since ATA Learnings establishment.
We incorporated ATA Inc. in the Cayman Islands in September 2006 as our listing vehicle. ATA
Inc. became our ultimate holding company in November 2006 when it issued shares to the existing
shareholders of ATA BVI in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of ATA BVI.
ATA Learning (Wuxi) Inc., or ATA Wuxi was established in January 2008, as a subsidiary of ATA
Learning to operate our pre-occupational training programs business.
In February 2009, we completed the acquisition of the entire equity interests of Beijing
Jindixin Software Technology Company Limited, or Beijing JDX, and JDX Holdings Limited, or JDX BVI, which
are related companies incorporated in China and the British Virgin Islands, respectively, engaged
in the development and marketing of software for computer-based tests.
We and our subsidiaries also previously held equity interests in the following entities:
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In December 2001, ATA Testing established and held a 50% interest in a Chinese
joint venture company, Beijing Sai Er Xingyuan Leadership Ability Testing Technologies
Development Co. Ltd., or Sai Er Testing, with one other joint venture partner. In
October 2005, ATA Testing sold its 50% equity interest in Sai Er Testing. |
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In April 2002, ATA Testing established a Chinese joint venture company,
Jiangsu ATA Software Co. Ltd., or ATA Jiangsu, with two other joint venture partners,
with ATA Testing holding 30% of the equity interest in ATA Jiangsu. In May 2006, ATA
Jiangsu completed a voluntary winding up. |
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In April 2005, ATA Learning established Xiamen Wendu Software Education
Investment Co. Ltd., or Wendu Education, with two other partners, with ATA Learning
holding 40% of the equity interest in Wendu Education. In August 2007, ATA Learning
completed the sale of its 40% equity interest in Wendu Education. |
We disposed these interests to eliminate these entities from our corporate structure and
streamline our operations.
For additional information on our organizational structure, see Item 4.C. Organizational
Structure.
Our principal executive offices are located at 8th Floor, Tower E, 6 Gongyuan West Street,
Jian Guo Men Nei, Beijing 100005, Peoples Republic of China, and our telephone number is (86-10)
6518-1122. Our web site address is http://www.ata.net.cn. The information on our web site does not
form a part of this annual report. On February 1, 2008, we completed our initial public offering,
which involved the sale by us of 4,874,012 of our ADSs, representing 9,748,024 of our common
shares. Our agent for service of process in the United States in CT Corporation System, located at
111 Eight Avenue, New York, New York 10011.
B. Business overview
Overview
We believe that we are the leading provider of computer-based testing services in China. We
offer comprehensive services for the creation and delivery of computer-based tests utilizing our
nation-wide test delivery platform, proprietary testing technologies and extensive experience
providing testing services in China. Our computer-based testing services are used for professional
licensure and certification tests in various industries, including IT services, banking,
securities, teaching, insurance and accounting. Our computer-based testing services clients
principally include professional associations, such as the China Banking Association and the
Securities Association of China, and Chinese governmental agencies, including the PRC Ministry of
Human Resources and Social Security.
Our test center network, which we believe is the largest test center network of any commercial
testing service provider in China, comprised 1,925 authorized test centers located throughout China
as of March 31, 2009. Combined with our test delivery technologies, this network allows our clients
to administer large-scale nationwide computer-based and paper-based tests in a consistent, secure
and cost-effective manner. From our inception in 1999 through March 31, 2009, we have delivered
over 29 million tests, including approximately ten million free tests for business development
purposes. Over the course of two days on May 31 and June 1, 2008, we delivered tests to more than
470,000 test takers for the China Banking Association, demonstrating our ability to administer
computer-based tests across the country on a massive scale through our nationwide test delivery
platform. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, approximately 5.1 million tests were
delivered using our computer-based testing technologies and services.
Our proprietary computer-based testing technologies include our E-testing platform for
delivering computer-based tests and our content creation and management technologies. Our E-testing
platform is composed of a set of self-developed tools and applications for facilitating the
computer-based testing process, and is capable of handling large-scale tests and quickly and
securely transmitting, processing and storing large amounts of data. Our self-developed test
content creation and management technologies include our Dynamic Simulation Technology, an advanced
performance-based testing technology which leading IT certification sponsors, including Microsoft,
have adopted for their computer-simulated tests given around the world. We have also developed
content creation technologies for the conversion of paper-based tests into computer-based formats.
Leveraging our testing platform, technologies and expertise, we have expanded our service
offerings beyond our core computer-based testing services to include test-focused services targeted
at educational institutions, students and companies in China. Since 2002, we have marketed to
educational institutions in China
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career-oriented educational course programs designed to prepare students to pass certification
exams in the IT industry and other vocations. We also offer targeted test preparation and training
solutions for certain professional licensure and certification tests in the securities, insurance
and teaching industries. ATA Online has launched online test preparation Internet web sites in
coordination with the Securities Association of China and the China Banking Association to help
candidates across China prepare for these organizations professional licensure and certification
tests, which are delivered through our test delivery platform. In March 2009, we launched HR
Select, our self-developed online system that utilizes our proprietary software and a large
inventory of test titles to assist companies in streamlining and optimizing their employee
selection and assessment processes. HR Select offers tools for filtering and categorizing employee
candidates, testing candidates and analyzing the test results. Since March 2009, we have been the
exclusive agent for delivering the Test of English for International Communication, or TOEIC, in
China. More recently, we have entered into a business partnership with the PRC Ministry of
Education to develop and provide online tutorials to students enrolled in Cambridge ESOLs
Cambridge Young Learners English programs in China.
Our total net revenues have increased from RMB84.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2007 to RMB172.1 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and RMB217.5 million ($31.8
million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. See Item 5.A. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects Operating Results Net Revenues for detailed disclosure regarding net revenues broken
down by the main category of services performed for each of the last three fiscal years. We had net
loss of RMB16.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, and net income of RMB20.2 million
and RMB22.8 million ($3.3 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Our Test Delivery Platform and Technologies
We offer our clients a comprehensive platform and suite of technologies for the development
and delivery of computer-based tests. Our E-testing platform integrates all aspects of the test
delivery process for computer-based tests, from test form compilation to test scoring and results
analysis. Our test delivery services are further enhanced by our nation-wide network of test
centers, which allows us to deliver both computer-based and paper-based tests on a large scale in a
consistent, secure and cost-effective manner. We also offer our clients advanced technologies and
software applications for the creation of sophisticated computer-based tests, including advanced
performance-based tests. By combining our advanced test content creation technologies with our test
delivery platform and network of test centers, we can offer our clients a comprehensive and
integrated solution to enhance the effectiveness of the entire testing process, as shown in the
following diagram.
Our E-Testing Platform
Our E-testing platform incorporates a number of technologies and protocols designed to ensure
the stable, cost-effective, secure, accurate, fast and easy-to-manage delivery of computer-based
tests on a large scale. It is flexible and is easily customized for many types of test content and
the specific requirements of the test sponsor. Tests delivered through our E-testing platform may
be conducted at our ATA authorized test centers or at other locations at the test sponsors
discretion. Our E-testing platform is composed of a set of tools and applications for facilitating
the computer-based testing process, including a network sub-system for managing and transferring
test content, test taker information and test results data in a secure and efficient manner. Our
E-testing platform software applications are designed to handle large-scale testing environments
and are capable of transmitting, receiving, processing and storing large amounts of information in
a short time span. We currently have the capability to deliver more than 1,000,000 tests per day
using our 30 servers. We periodically upgrade our equipment and software applications to handle
increasing testing volume as required.
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Our ATA Authorized Test Center Network
To help our clients reach a broad base of test takers, we have established a large network of
authorized test centers across China and in Hong Kong, which we refer to as our ATA authorized test
centers. As of March 31, 2009, we had contractual relationships with 1,925 ATA authorized test
centers, of which 1,347 had hosted tests delivered through our testing platform during the
preceding 24-month period. 1,358 of our authorized test
centers possess the right to use our ATA brand name and logo. Our network of ATA authorized
test centers provides the means for delivering and administering tests nationally both
simultaneously and on a regularly scheduled basis under consistent and secure testing conditions.
The following map shows the geographic distribution of our ATA authorized test centers as of
March 31, 2009:
We do not own any of our ATA authorized test centers but instead enter into a standard form of
contract with qualified independent operators to act as ATA authorized test centers. Most of our
ATA authorized test centers are owned by Chinese vocational schools, which we believe enhances the
quality and dependability of the centers. Under our contracts with the test centers, we license our
ATA E-testing platform technology and provide ongoing technical support and training during the
contract period. We require each test center to provide sufficient facilities to properly
administer computer-based tests and to follow prescribed guidelines for facility maintenance and
test administration. We also conduct regular reviews of their facilities and operations. We assist
our clients in liaising and coordinating testing arrangements with our ATA authorized test centers.
Our ATA authorized test centers are divided into general test centers, which offer a wide
range of tests and have the right to use our ATA brand name and logo, and special test centers,
such as Microsoft Learning Centers, with which we enter into contracts to carry out specific tests
for specific test sponsor clients. We receive license fees from our test center operators in the
form of either a single initial license fee or a combination of initial license fee and annual
continuing license fees. Under either fee arrangement, our licensees can extend their licensing
agreement with us indefinitely.
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Our Test Content Creation and Management Technologies
We offer our clients advanced technologies and software applications for the creation of
sophisticated computer-based tests, including advanced performance-based tests.
Our Dynamic Simulation Technology is a performance-based testing technology that provides the
format for creating, illustrating, running and scoring tests in a virtual computer environment that
accurately and realistically simulates the operating environment and functions of the software
applications being tested without requiring the installation or use of those applications. Our
Dynamic Simulation Technology is designed to provide maximum interactivity and allow the test taker
to go down multi-level testing paths where each response will lead the test taker to a different
set of questions and problems. The current version of Dynamic Simulation Technology, version 5.0,
is an interpreter-based simulation technology, which represents our fifth generation of simulation
testing technologies, as shown in the table below:
Interpreter-based simulation offers high flexibility, adaptability to most applications, low
disk space usage and short lead times for developing new tests once the system is in place. Based
on feedback from our clients, we believe we are the only company in the world that has developed
and is marketing interpreter-based simulation technology for testing and educational use. For this
reason, we believe our Dynamic Simulation Technology is the worlds leading technology for the
creation and illustration of performance-based tests through simulation.
We have also developed two non-simulation testing technologies: Real Environment Technology
and ATA Markup Language. Our Real Environment Technology is used for creating, illustrating and
running performance-based tests and learning exercises that operate within the actual operating
system or software application being tested. We have also developed our ATA Markup Language for the
creation and illustration of knowledge-based test items that require the test taker to respond to
specific questions in a traditional question-and-answer format. While less sophisticated than our
performance-based testing technologies, ATA Markup Language remains a key technology for our large
base of clients who contract with us for the conversion of paper-based tests to computer-based
tests. In addition, many performance-based tests also include traditional multiple-choice questions
created and run using our ATA Markup Language and related software applications.
We have developed test item authoring tool applications for our Dynamic Simulation Technology,
Real Environment Technology and ATA Markup Language. We have also developed other authoring tools,
such as user interface cloning and translation software, for increasing the efficiency of the test
content creation and revision process. To meet individual client needs, we have developed test
engine applications for integrating tests using our testing technologies on multiple testing
platforms. For instance, we have developed test engine applications that allow running Dynamic
Simulation Technology tests on our own test delivery platform, on Microsofts test port and on
other test platforms.
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All of our computer-based testing technologies have been developed in-house, and none
incorporates any third-party intellectual property.
In addition to incorporating our technologies into our test service offerings, we also
directly generate revenue from our Dynamic Simulation Technology and related simulation authoring
tools by licensing them to international IT certification sponsors, such as Microsoft, and
third-party test preparation companies for the creation of test items and test preparation course
exercise items for Microsoft Learning Products, including Microsoft Certified Professional Exams,
delivered to students and test takers all over the world.
Our Service Offerings
Testing Development and Delivery Services
Computer-based test creation, delivery and analysis services. Our test delivery platform and
technologies allow us to offer our clients a comprehensive set of services for the creation,
delivery and analysis of computer-based tests as well as logistical services such as test
registration, scheduling and fee collection. We have assisted our clients in creating and
delivering a wide range of computer-based tests, including:
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licensure tests administered by governmental agencies that test the competence
of candidates for positions with various governmental agencies or for certain types of
jobs, and public exams administered by provincial-level human resources bureaus; |
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professional association or qualifications tests required by governmental
agencies or industry associations that test the competence of individuals who operate
in certain industries that require technical expertise and which carry professional
titles, such as: |
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the Certification of China Banking Professionals Exam, designed and
administered by the China Banking Association under the supervision of the
China Banking Regulatory Commission; |
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the Qualifications Exam for Individuals Engaged in the Securities
Industry, designed and administered by the Securities Association of China
under the supervision of the China Securities Regulatory Commission; |
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the Insurance Agent Qualifications Exam, designed and administered by the
Insurance Association of China under the supervision of the China Insurance
Regulatory Commission; |
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IT vendor tests that assess the technical skills and competence of IT
professionals in relation to specific types of IT applications, computer
operating systems or other IT skill sets, and that allow test takers to obtain
a professional license or certification in a specific subject area, job title
or career path; and |
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enterprise assessment tests that various enterprises use for recruitment
and internal personnel assessment purposes. |
Utilizing our computer-based test content creation technologies, we assist our clients in
developing sophisticated computer-based tests, including performance-based tests. Creation of
effective and user-friendly computer-based tests involves a multi-step process, including:
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Test design. Our content development consultants work together with the client
to determine the test purpose, intended audience, test objectives and required
competency level to formulate an overall test outline. We then arrange for the client
to work with our subject matter experts, or to engage outside subject matter experts
with specific experience in the subject area, to work with us on the scope of
knowledge covered by the test and to design and author specific testing items for
required knowledge points. |
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Test item authoring. Based on the test outline and using our advanced test
engine technologies, we work together with subject matter experts to create test items
designed to determine a test |
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takers proficiency and speed in solving both practical and conceptual problems.
The test items are designed to support immediate test scoring and results analysis.
Test items generally fall into two types: multiple-choice items and
performance-based items. Once all of the test items have been created, our content
development consultants and subject matter experts commence a review to ensure the
validity of each test item, clarity of language and overall quality. All of the
test items are deposited in a master test item pool. |
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Test form and item bank construction. Once the test items are ready, we set
test item parameters to be used for building up test item banks to enable test forms
to be formulated. Test forms with equal level of difficulty are generated through
random item selection from the test item bank based on the pre-defined blueprint of
the test to ensure fairness across test forms. |
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Final user acceptance beta test. Before publication, the test undergoes a
final user acceptance beta test during which volunteer test takers take the test and
provide feedback. Based on the test results from the beta test, we are able to
evaluate the efficacy of the test, eliminate problematic test items and otherwise fine
tune the test items to ensure quality. |
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Continuous upgrades through analysis and user feedback. As we deliver tests in
real-world environments, we monitor and analyze the quality and adequacy of the test
content and make upgrades as we develop or adopt new technologies and techniques. We
also communicate with test users and collect feedback from the test sponsors and test
takers to ensure that desired improvements are made in a timely manner. |
Depending on the clients needs, we can perform some or all of the above steps for each
client. For example, in some cases, clients may have already created all of the test items and may
only require us to build the test using our ATA E-testing platform. Computer-based tests can also
be designed for delivery as on-going tests, which can be taken by the test taker at any time at his
or her choice, for example by downloading the test from the clients web site, or as regularly
scheduled tests, which must be taken by test takers at a specified time with advanced scheduling
required.
Our computer-based testing delivery services generally include the following, subject to the
test sponsors specific needs:
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installing our ATA E-testing platform on the clients computer system to
assist with centralizing administrative matters relating to the test or, in the case
of repeat clients, upgrading the existing platform as necessary, for new tests; |
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providing technical support throughout the testing process; |
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uploading test information and performing test rehearsals and final testing
environment control; and |
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processing test scores, summarizing and analyzing test scores and results. |
We also offer a number of logistical support services relating to test administration that we
incorporate into the licensing fee for our test delivery platform based on a clients individual
needs. These support services include:
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managing test taker registration and scheduling; |
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managing test taker fee collection; |
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arranging test stations and pre-test training of staff at each ATA authorized
test center; |
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providing test data management, such as test score publishing; and |
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preparing and delivering certificates for test takers who have passed the test
sponsor certification requirements. |
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We usually offer test content creation services and test delivery services as an integrated
package and collect a fixed fee per test per test taker. The fee we charge depends on the length
and complexity of the test, the amount of effort it takes to transform the testing content into a
computer-based test format and other factors in the test development and administration process,
such as security levels and the amount of logistical services provided.
Distribution and administration of TOEIC exams in China. In March 2009, we signed a
cooperation agreement with ETS, the worlds largest educational research and assessment
organization, to become the exclusive distributor and test administrator of ETSs TOEIC exams in
China. Originally designed in 1979 by ETS for governmental agencies and corporations, TOEIC
measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to communicate in English in the workplace.
According to ETS, the TOEIC exam has been used by over 5,000 organizations around the world in more
than 60 countries, with more than five million TOEIC exams administered around the world each year.
TOEIC has become the top professional English language assessment tool in the world, according to
ETS.
TOEIC tests include large-scale tests open to the general public for a set fee as well as
on-demand tests given for specific enterprises or organizations. We administered our first TOEIC
exam in March 2009, in which 3,909 exam takers participated in three cities across China. We
collect a per-test taker fee for each test delivered. TOEIC exams in China are currently only
delivered in a paper-based format. However, we are undergoing feasibility studies with ETS to
develop computer-based TOEIC exams to be delivered in China in the future through our ATA
authorized test center network.
Career-Oriented Educational Services
Our career-oriented educational services include single course programs, degree major course
programs and pre-occupational training programs focusing on preparing students to pass IT and other
vocational certification tests. We market these educational services to universities and vocational
schools throughout China to provide to their students. These course programs package the testing
and certification component of our testing services with licensed learning materials to provide an
integrated learning and assessment solution. Many of the tests contained in our course programs
have incorporated our advanced performance-based testing technologies to encourage hands-on
real-world interactive learning experiences.
Our educational services allow academic institutions to provide more career-oriented content
and practical skills to assist their students in more easily securing employment. At the same time,
our educational services are attractive to IT vendors and other certification providers as they
help to increase the market prevalence and acceptance of the software applications and technologies
taught in the course program by hooking students onto those technologies and by motivating
employers to adopt the technologies due to the larger talent pool proficient in operating them.
Single course programs. Each single course program we offer is typically centered on a
specific type of computer software application or other technology that requires significant
training and practice to master and for which certification is offered. We work closely with both
the certification providers, which are usually well-known IT vendors, and the academic institutions
to ensure the course and final exam content fully satisfies all of their respective requirements
and maximizes the students learning experience. Upon successful completion of the course work and
related computer-based examination, the student will obtain a qualification certification from the
IT vendor or other certification provider as well as academic credit from the students school. We
contract with academic institutions to license the course program for the course period, which
usually lasts for one academic semester. The license can be subsequently renewed for each new
course semester. We generally provide the following services to the academic institution as part of
our course programs:
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installing the ATA E-testing platform on the schools computer system or, in
the case of a renewal of the course license, performing an upgrade of the existing
platform for the new course; |
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at the beginning of each course period, providing students and teachers with
course materials, which include textbooks, compact disks, visual lab equipment,
slides, flash video case studies and exercise items; |
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during the course period, providing ongoing support relating to the course and
test software and the course materials, such as content updates, software upgrades,
telephone support for teachers and students, online support including downloadable
teaching guides, articles by well-known instructors and sample test materials
available at our web site; |
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at the end of each course period, uploading authorization information to
permit the school to administer the final exam; |
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delivering a second exam at no extra charge to each enrolled student who fails
the final exam on the first try; |
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on request and subject to additional fees, providing training sessions for
course teachers during the summer or winter holidays for a separate fee charged to the
schools, which we record as training revenue; and |
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where necessary, preparing and delivering certificates for test takers who
have passed the test certification requirement. |
We charge educational institutions a fixed fee for these services on a per-student, per-course
basis based on our perceived market value of the certification to be awarded to the student at the
completion of the course.
Degree major course programs. Our degree major course programs are designed to help graduates
prepare for particular types of jobs and career paths. These programs are essentially combinations
of multiple single course programs designed to help students acquire a cluster of skill sets.
Generally, the entire degree major course program can be completed within two to three years and
comprises all courses necessary for the students college major. Our contracts with academic
institutions for degree major course programs are similar to our contracts for single course
programs. We license the various single course programs contained within the degree major course
program to the schools for the duration of the degree major course program period. We also provide
substantially the same support and other services as we provide for single course programs.
Pre-occupational training programs. Vocational school students in China are generally required
to spend one semester prior to graduation in an internship. However, many students have difficulty
finding quality internships that provide the opportunity to hone practical skills prior to entering
the job market. To provide these students with more alternatives, we have worked with vocational
schools and our IT vendor clients to develop pre-occupational training programs to help meet the
internship requirement. These programs provide students with a simulated internship environment
replicating what these students would experience in an actual internship and that are designed to
prepare students for actual job positions. Students are organized into small groups and given a
series of specific job tasks, with each students role within the small group changing at intervals
during the program period. A typical pre-occupational training program will last two to three
months. Software applications using our performance-based testing technology help guide and monitor
the students progress in completing the required tasks and are able to provide constant feedback
to enhance the learning experience and improve the students performance. Our pre-occupational
training programs are offered principally to students enrolled in schools offering our course
programs and are particularly well-suited for students taking one of our degree major course
programs.
Test Preparation and Training Solutions
In late 2006, we began offering test preparation and training solutions by integrating our
testing and assessment technologies with test preparation content targeted at professional
licensure and certification tests in China. Building on our established reputation in, and in-depth
understanding of, the Chinese market for professional licensure and certification tests in the
securities, futures, banking, insurance and teaching industries, we began offering test preparation
and training programs and services to test candidates preparing to take professional certification
tests in these industries.
Online test preparation and training platform for the securities, insurance and banking
industries. Leveraging the increased scale of ATA-delivered securities, insurance and banking
professional licensure and certification tests, in November 2006, ATA Online launched online test
preparation Internet web sites in coordination with the Securities Association of China. These web
sites were launched to provide a flexible and
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scalable platform aimed at helping test candidates
across China to practice and prepare for professional licensure and certification tests delivered
by ATA. Test preparation customers gain access to Internet web sites that contain the latest test
related topics, preparation materials provided by the test sponsors and streaming video teaching
sessions and practice tests developed by ATA. A stored value card-based credit system allows each
customer unlimited use of online mock testing during a specified service period, which normally
ranges from 90 to 180 days from the date of activation of the card. These cards are sold directly
to test candidates or to our test sponsor clients, who then distribute the stored value cards
nationwide to interested test candidates.
Starting in 2007, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, with our assistance, began to
more vigorously track and enforce mandatory continuing professional training requirements for
licensed securities professionals. Each licensed securities professional must satisfy an annual
minimum hourly training requirement to maintain their securities license. In response, ATA Online
upgraded its securities test preparation web site to allow securities professionals to meet the
continuous professional training hours requirement. We plan to market similar test preparation and
training web sites to our other test delivery clients to assist them in launching nationwide,
scalable and flexible test preparation and training programs.
NTET Tutorial Platform test preparation software for the teaching industry. In November
2006, we began offering software comprising a comprehensive set of training materials for preparing
teachers for certification under the NTET test, which is conducted by Chinas Ministry of Education
and delivered through our test delivery platform and test center network. This software package,
which we refer to as our NTET Tutorial Platform, is installed on a schools computer system and
offers teachers access to user-friendly and interactive tutorial programs, practice questions and
learning exercises through the schools intranet. Our revenues from the sale of our NTET Tutorial
Platform in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 decreased due to lower approved budgets by
relevant governmental agencies for procuring this software as the deadline for the national NTET
test has been deferred.
Cambridge ESOL Young Learners English online tutorials. In September 2008, we entered into an
agreement with Ministry of Education to develop and provide online tutorial programs to students
enrolled in its Cambridge Young Learners English programs in China, which are generally targeted at
children ages four to 12. We expect to launch this service during our fiscal year ending March 31,
2010.
HR Select Employee Assessment Solution
In March 2009, we launched our self-developed HR Select employee assessment solution. HR
Select is an online system that utilizes our proprietary software and a large inventory of test
titles to help employers in China maximize the efficiency and accuracy of their employee
recruitment process. HR Select covers the entire employee selection process from resume filtering
to talent assessment and skills testing to test results analysis.
HR Select incorporates sophisticated database technologies for retaining and categorizing key
candidate data, allowing human resource managers to effectively and efficiently process and filter
a large number of candidate resumes. More importantly, we believe HR Selects platform for testing,
comparing and analyzing general, industry-specific and position-specific capabilities and
skill-sets makes it a unique offering in the market. Employers using HR Select can choose to adopt
any of a multitude of evaluation parameters, including:
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General skills, including among others foreign language skills, software
application skills, management skills, reading comprehension ability and data
processing skills; |
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Position-specific skills, including customized tests for IT, finance,
management, customer service, administrative and sales positions; and |
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Compatibility traits, which look at non-skills elements that indicate a
candidates likelihood of success, such as personal values, self-image,
self-motivation and other personality traits. |
HR Select leverages our computer-based testing technologies and expertise to allow employers
to evaluate candidates on each of these parameters and to analyze and categorize the results to
make effective recruitment decisions. We have also leveraged our particular expertise in certain
industries where we have been delivering computer-based tests and educational services, including
the IT and finance industries, to provide targeted services to employer clients. HR Select
currently offers tailored evaluation tests for 600 positions with
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over 1,000 evaluation modules and
a sample test item bank containing millions of test questions. For example, TOEIC and SHL
assessment titles are available via the HR Select service to assess a candidates business English
skill and job aptitude respectively. Employers may adopt ready-made tests available in the HR
Select system, or use their own self-developed tests. If they use their own tests, they can choose
to keep the test confidential or permit other HR Select clients to view the tests. By allowing test
content to be shared, we believe HR Select can facilitate standardization of recruitment criteria
within industries. HR Select incorporates our computer-based testing technologies to allow clients
to deliver the evaluation tests online in a secure, accurate and easy-to-manage manner.
Our current HR Select clients principally include large domestic and foreign-invested
companies in highly skill-intensive industries such as insurance and banking. We expect to market
HR Select to the large and growing small and medium enterprise market in China where recruitment
resources are limited and where the consequences of poor hiring decisions are greater. Pricing
starts at a volume-limited RMB3,880 annual subscription, with additional fees charged depending on
volume, specific test titles utilized and whether ATA authorized test centers are used.
Data Storage and Security
One of the most important aspects of our computer-based testing services is ensuring the
integrity and security of the test-taking process. To accomplish this, we use multiple technologies
and methods to ensure the security of test content, test results and other sensitive data used or
obtained in relation to our services.
We have developed and implemented the following technologies and measures to protect security
throughout all stages of test development and delivery:
Preparation and Storage of Test Items
To reduce the risks associated with potential unauthorized disclosure or misuse of test
questions by ATA personnel during the process of creating test item banks, we divide test item
authoring and management tasks among multiple persons and limit each persons access to the test
item content through the use of access permissions. Each test item author is only responsible for
creating a limited amount of test item content and is permitted access only to that content for
which that person is responsible. As a result, no one has full access to the contents beyond his or
her scope of work. Test item bank managers receive limited permissions and are not given access to
view the content of individual test items. Moreover, our test item authoring and test item bank
management tools record and track all access and modifications to test items or the test item pool
to detect any breaches to the security protocols. Once the test item banks are created, the content
is encrypted and stored on our secure central servers or the clients servers. Our servers are
located in a central machine room operated by one of the most well-established server hosting
service providers in China. These servers are protected by firewalls and stored using NetApp tm
equipment, which permits real-time back-up. We encrypt all test item banks using our self-developed
encryption technologies, which prevent decryption or reverse engineering through the use of
electronic fingerprinting, anti-tracking and trapping technologies.
Creation of Test Forms and Transmission of Test Materials to the Test Site
Our software applications automatically compile individual test forms from the test item bank
according to the test blueprint and pre-arranged parameters. During this process, no access or
viewing of the content of individual test items is permitted and all steps in the process are
digitally recorded. The encrypted test forms are delivered to the test sites server either on hard
disc or through a secure network, generally one day before the day of the test. The relevant
information on each test taker is separately transferred in encrypted format to the test site via
the Internet. A hardware dongle containing an encrypted time stamp is used to ensure that the test
begins and ends on time. A hardware dongle is a hardware device that must be inserted into the USB
port of the test sites central computer to decrypt and operate the test content. We design our own
hardware dongles, which incorporate ATA-owned integrated circuit technology, and outsource its
production to multiple factories in China. A decryption algorithm used along with the hardware
dongle to complete decryption of test materials and commence the test.
Conduct of the Test
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We train all test center personnel on protocols and supervision techniques to be used during
test time. Test center administrators confirm test takers identities through photographs,
fingerprints and other biometric data. We also issue to each test taker upon registration a
password that must be inputted on the test day to start the test. Once the test session has begun,
software installed as part of each test tracks all actions and operations taken during the test and
records them on the test site central server in real time. The testing software prevents test
takers from accessing any network during test time. When a test taker opens up a question, it is
decrypted and displayed. To protect against cheating, the order in which test answer choices appear
is randomly generated with each answer choice encoded as a unique number and letter chain.
Immediately upon the test takers completion of each test item, the data recorded is re-encoded and
re-encrypted.
Transmission, Reading and Storage of Test Results
In most instances, tests are scored on the test site server immediately following conclusion
of the test and subsequently uploaded to our central servers. All transferred data is encrypted and
data code integrity is verified using MD5 and Hash technologies. Following scoring, we store all
test content and results on our firewall-protected central servers.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property protections, including copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets are
important to our success. We rely on copyright and trademark law, trade secret protection and
confidentiality agreements with our employees, clients, business partners and others to protect our
intellectual property rights. All of our senior management and engineering employees are required
to sign agreements to acknowledge that all inventions, trade secrets, works of authorship,
innovations and other processes generated by them that relate to our business are our property, and
to assign to us any ownership rights in those works. Despite our efforts, it may be possible for
third parties to obtain and use our intellectual property without authorization.
We have registered 51 software copyrights relevant to our product and service offerings with
the Copyright Protection Center of China.
Our ATA trademark has been registered with the China Trademark Office. We have also
registered 21 domain names relating to our web sites, including www.ata.net.cn , the primary URL
for our web site, with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers and the China
Internet Network Information Center, a domain name registration service provider in China.
We have chosen not to obtain any patents for our testing technologies for a number of reasons.
Principally, we believe it is the industry norm in China not to obtain patents for technologies
that are not in the form of hardware. The process for patenting technologies is cumbersome and
generally takes approximately 18 months or more, and due to the prevalence of intellectual property
infringement and relatively weak enforcement mechanisms in China, we believe the risks involved in
obtaining a patent, which would be publicly accessible, outweigh the potential benefits. Expertise
underlying our testing technologies enjoys protection in China as trade secrets under Chinas
Anti-Unfair Competition Law.
Clients
The quality and flexibility of our product and service offerings has attracted a broad base of
clients. Our clients principally include Chinese governmental agencies, professional associations,
well-known IT vendors and Chinese educational institutions as well as individual test preparation
services consumers. The China Banking Association and the Securities Association of China accounted
for 24.8% and 26.2%, respectively, of our total net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31,
2009. No other client accounted for more than 10% of our total net revenues for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2009.
As of March 31, 2009, we had 164 contracts with test sponsors for our computer-based testing
services. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, our five largest computer-based testing
services clients based on revenue were:
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the China Banking Association, which has been designated by the China Banking
Regulatory Commission as the sole administrator of banking industry qualification
tests in China; |
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the Securities Association of China, which has been designated by the China
Securities Regulatory Commission as the sole administrator of securities industry
qualification tests in China; |
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the Professional Skills Qualification Center of the PRC Ministry of Human
Resources and Social Security; |
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the China Futures Association, which has been designated by the China
Securities Regulatory Commission as the sole administrator of futures industry
qualification tests in China; and |
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the Testing Center of the PRC Ministry of Education. |
These five clients represented an aggregate of 57.9% of our total net revenues for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2009.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, 220 Chinese educational institutions were
offering our course programs, of which 148 were offering our degree major course programs and 94
were offering our single course programs.
Sales and Business Development
Our sales and business development department, primarily composed of members of our senior
management and professional sales team, is responsible for identifying and developing new markets
and client opportunities for our product and service offerings. For our computer-based testing
services, we target key governmental agencies, professional associations, enterprises and other
potential clients to help them develop standardized certification, qualification or assessment
policies. Once we have identified a potential client, we generally submit an initial proposal
outlining the services we can provide based on our analysis of their test-related needs. We may
develop and conduct trial tests tailored to the clients needs based on the terms of a memorandum
of understanding signed with the client. We generally enter into a final contract with the client
only after successful completion of the trial tests. During the entire selling cycle, we also
actively seek opportunities to cross-sell and up-sell our services, including test preparation
services and ancillary testing services to the client. The following diagram illustrates the key
stages in our testing services business development process.
Marketing
To generate demand and market awareness, we engage in a variety of marketing activities to
promote our product and service offerings. We host and invite potential clients, such as key
governmental agencies and governing bodies, to industry conferences on topics such as the
development of computer-based testing technologies. We also attend conferences and trade shows to
demonstrate and promote our technologies and product and service offerings. We conduct marketing
for our career-oriented educational services through promotional activities in cooperation with
local governmental departments and educational institutions and through our local sales agents. Our
on-campus marketing activities include promoting the IT vendors certification tests together with
our course programs and other career-oriented educational services, while linking both to our ATA
brand name, through prominently placed marketing materials like posters and other advertising
means. We promote wider recognition of our ATA brand by placing our logo prominently outside ATA
authorized test centers and in test and course program materials. We are also developing joint
marketing efforts with certain independent operators of our ATA authorized test centers. In
connection with our launch of HR Select and distribution of TOEIC, we have redirected most of our
educational services sales and marketing efforts since March 2009 to design and operate marketing
efforts toward private enterprises. We have launched advertising campaigns across all major resume
service providers web sites in China to market HR Select and TOEIC.
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Competition
In relation to computer-based testing services, we compete with domestic Chinese and
international computer-based testing service providers. Prometric and Pearson VUE are our main
competitors in China. We compete with them primarily based on technology, price, management
experience and established infrastructure. We believe our overall testing services and technologies
compare favorably with the services and technologies offered by these competitors. Moreover, we
believe that our nationwide test center network and test delivery platform provides us with a
significant competitive advantage over these two competitors. We believe we are currently the
market leader in computer-based testing services in China due to the combination of our experience
in and familiarity with the China computer-based testing services market, our advanced technology,
our large nationwide network of test centers, our established relationships with key test sponsors
and governmental agencies and our competitive cost levels.
For our HR Select employee assessment solution, many recruitment service companies in China,
such as 51jobs.com, ChinaHR and Zhaopin.com, provide similar testing services to help employers
screen candidates. However, we believe their main business focus is in the area of job postings and
candidate search, while we focus on offering more professional testing services with proprietary
testing technologies. We also believe the large inventory of test titles and availability of a
nationwide test center network set us apart from these recruitment service providers. While TOEIC
is well-established globally as a leading business English assessment tool, there is a broad range
of competing English certification programs available in China, including the Chinese
government-administered CET 4 and 6 exams, one of the most popular English certification programs
developed domestically and taken by over ten million test takers a year, and other international
commercial English certifications such as BEC and BULTAS from Cambridge ESOL.
In relation to our career-oriented educational services, we face competition from
international companies, such as Aptech Limited and NIIT Limited. Aptech Limited operates in China
primarily through its joint venture with BeiDa Jade Bird. Although these two companies offer
IT-related courses to post-secondary educational institutions in China, based on our market
experience and client communications we believe they do not directly compete with our products and
services. For example, these two companies design their own course content and exams and provide
passing students with their own proprietary certifications, rather than offering course content and
certifications designed by well-known IT vendors, as we do.
Traditional Chinese test preparation material providers, such as publishing companies,
indirectly compete with our test preparation and training solutions. However, we are not aware of
any significant competitors in China in the online test preparation and training solutions
business. In relation to our simulation technologies, there are a few U.S.-based companies
providing performance-based testing technologies, including Certiport, Inc.
We are aware of only a handful of other simulation testing technology developers, which
primarily focus on the training and test preparation business market in the United States. We
believe, based on communications with our clients and others in the industry that our simulation
testing technology compares favorably to those offered by other companies and in other countries,
including the United States.
While we anticipate new market entrants and increased efforts by existing international
players to expand their presence in China, we believe that relatively high entry barriers, such as
the time and costs associated with establishing a large-scale test center network and developing
course and test content for educational programs, will make it difficult for new entrants or
international competitors to quickly gain market share from us in China. We believe potential
domestic entrants lack the technology and commercial relationships that we have already developed
with domestic and international test sponsors. International competitors will likely face
challenges in establishing effective relationships with key Chinese government and industry test
sponsors or local educational institutions.
Seasonality
We have experienced seasonality and expect in the future to continue to experience seasonality
in net revenues and accounts receivable related to our test delivery services, with the quarter
ending December 31 typically having the highest net revenues from testing services and the quarter
ending March 31 typically having the lowest net revenues from testing services. Under our contracts
with test sponsors, we have the right to receive payment approximately one month after a test is
delivered, and our clients pay us within three to six months of
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delivery. We therefore may
experience substantial increases in our accounts receivable balance at the end of the quarter
ending December 31 of each year. Also, revenues from our degree major and single course programs
may experience seasonal declines during the quarter ending September 30 of each fiscal year, which
includes the summer holiday months of July and August, since we do not recognize revenues in July
and August for the last year of each degree major course program and for most single course
programs. In addition, we have expanded our test preparation and training solutions business. We
believe demand for test preparation and training solutions are generally highest close to test and
certification requirement deadlines, which are typically during the quarter ending December 31.
Therefore we expect revenues from test preparation and training solutions to be the highest in the
quarter ending December 31. We also expect some seasonality in our accounts receivable related to
degree major programs, because we collect from our clients typically around the months of October
to November, and a large portion of our clients settle payment with us two to five months after
that time.
Regulation
This section sets forth a summary of the most significant laws, regulations, policies and
requirements that affect our business activities in China, the industries in which we operate, and
our shareholders right to receive dividends and other distributions from us.
Regulation of the Software Industry
In China, holders of computer software copyrights enjoy protection under the Copyright Law of
the Peoples Republic of China, or the Copyright Law. Under the Copyright Law, Chinas State
Council and the State Copyright Administration have also promulgated various regulations relating
to the protection of software copyrights in China. Under these regulations, computer software that
is independently developed and exists in a physical form will be protected, and software copyright
owners may license or transfer their software copyrights to others. Registration of software
copyrights and exclusive licensing and transfer contracts with the Copyright Protection Center of
China (previously, the State Copyright Administration) or its local branches are encouraged. Such
registration is not mandatory under Chinese law, but can enhance the protections available to the
registering parties. For example, the registration certificate serves an evidentiary function
enabling the registering parties to prove they have protectable rights. We have registered 51
software copyrights with the Copyright Protection Center of China.
Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (and its predecessors), or MIIT, has
promulgated regulations to regulate the production, sale, import or export of software products in
China. Under these regulations, all domestically produced software products to be operated or sold
in China must be duly registered and filed with the provincial branches of MIIT. We have complied
with the registration and filing requirements necessary to sell our software products in China.
These registrations generally remain in effect for five years and are subject to renewal.
Regulation of Vocational Education
Chinese laws and regulations impose restrictions on foreign investment in educational
institutions in China. However, Chinese laws and regulations do not impose restrictions on foreign
investment in companies providing course and test content or related products and services to
educational institutions. In addition, the Chinese government has issued a series of circulars and
regulations promoting the development of vocational education, including The Decision to Enhance
the Promotion of the Reform and Development of Vocational Education and The Decision to Enhance
the Development of Vocational Education published by the State Council, respectively, on September
24, 2002 and October 28, 2005. These circulars and regulations require all levels of governments in
China to intensify their support for vocational education and to gradually increase the financial
resources that local and provincial governments allocate to vocational education.
Restrictions on Telecommunications Industry
The telecommunications industry, including computer information and Internet access services,
is highly regulated by the Chinese government. Regulations issued or implemented by the State
Council, MIIT and other relevant government authorities cover virtually every aspect of
telecommunications network operations, including entry into the telecommunications industry, the
scope of permissible business activities, interconnection and transmission line arrangements,
tariff policy and foreign investment.
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Since March 1998, the National Peoples Congress of the PRC has directed MIIT to assume
responsibility for, among other things:
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formulating and enforcing telecommunications industry policy, standards and
regulations; |
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granting licenses to provide telecommunications and Internet services; |
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formulating tariff and service charge policies for telecommunications and
Internet services; |
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supervising the operations of telecommunications and Internet service
providers; and |
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maintaining fair and orderly market competition among operators. |
In addition to the regulations promulgated by the Chinese central government, some local
governments have also promulgated local rules applicable to Internet companies operating within
their respective jurisdictions.
Foreign Ownership Restrictions on Internet Content Provision Businesses
In September 2000, the State Council promulgated the Telecommunications Regulations. The
Telecommunications Regulations categorize all telecommunications businesses in China as either
infrastructure telecommunications businesses or value-added telecommunications businesses. In
February 2003, MIIT amended the original classification of telecommunications business with
Internet content provision services being classified as value-added telecommunications businesses.
The Telecommunications Regulations also set forth extensive guidelines with respect to different
aspects of telecommunications operations in China.
In December 2001, in order to comply with Chinas commitments with respect to its entry into
the World Trade Organization, the State Council promulgated the Administrative Rules on
Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, which was amended in September 2008. The
Administrative Rules on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises set forth detailed
requirements with respect to capitalization, investor qualifications and application procedures in
connection with the establishment of a foreign invested telecommunications enterprise. Pursuant to
the Administrative Rules on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises, the ultimate capital
contribution ratio of the foreign investor or investors in a foreign-funded telecommunications
enterprise that provides value-added telecommunications services shall not exceed 50%. In addition,
pursuant to the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue, the permitted foreign investment
ratio of value-added telecommunications services is no more than 50%.
However, for a foreign investor to acquire any equity interest in a value-added
telecommunication business in China, it must satisfy a number of stringent performance and
operational experience requirements, including demonstrating a track record and experience in
operating value-added telecommunication business overseas. Moreover, foreign investors that meet
these requirements must obtain approvals from MIIT and the Ministry of Commerce or their authorized
local counterparts, which retain considerable discretion in granting approvals.
On July 26, 2006, MIIT publicly released the Notice on Strengthening the Administration of
Foreign Investment in Operating Value-added Telecom Business, dated July 13, 2006, or the MIIT
Notice, which reiterates certain provisions under the 2002 Administrative Rules on Foreign-Invested
Telecommunications Enterprises. According to the MIIT Notice, if any foreign investor intends to
invest in a Chinese telecommunications business, a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise
shall be established and such enterprise shall apply for the relevant telecommunications business
licenses. Under the MIIT Notice, domestic telecommunications enterprises are prohibited from
renting, transferring or selling a telecommunications license to foreign investors in any form.
As a result of current Chinese laws and regulations that impose substantial restrictions on
foreign investment in the Internet businesses in China, we conduct our online test preparation
business in China through a series of contractual arrangements entered into among us, ATA Learning,
and our newly formed affiliated PRC entity, ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited, or
ATA Online, which is a domestic Chinese company incorporated in the PRC and owned by Kevin Xiaofeng
Ma, our chairman and chief executive officer, and Walter Lin Wang, our director and president, both
of whom are PRC citizens. See Item 4.C. Organizational
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Structure. ATA Online has obtained the
licenses and approvals that are required to operate the online test preparation business.
Our contractual arrangements with ATA Online include a technical support agreement and a
strategic consulting service agreement. In addition, ATA Learning has entered into an equity pledge
agreement with each of the shareholders of ATA Online pursuant to which each of the shareholders
has pledged all of his or her interest in ATA Online to ATA Learning as security for the
performance of ATA Onlines obligations under the technical support agreement and the strategic
consulting service agreement. Pursuant to a call option and cooperation agreement with ATA Online
and its shareholders, ATA BVI or any third party designated by ATA BVI has the right to acquire, in
whole or in part, the respective equity interests in ATA Online of its shareholders or ATA Onlines
assets when permitted by applicable PRC laws and regulations. However, we do not have any direct
ownership interests or direct voting rights in ATA Online.
In the opinion of Jincheng Tongda & Neal Law Firm, our PRC legal counsel:
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the ownership structures of ATA Online and our wholly owned subsidiaries in China
are in compliance with existing published Chinese laws and regulations; |
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our contractual arrangements among our wholly owned subsidiaries in China and ATA
Online and its shareholders, are valid and binding, will not result in any material
violation of published Chinese laws or regulations currently in effect, and are
enforceable in accordance with their terms and conditions; and |
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the business operations of our company, all of our Chinese subsidiaries and ATA
Online, as described in this annual report, are in compliance with existing published
Chinese laws and regulations in all material aspects. |
However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of
current or future Chinese laws and regulations, including the laws and regulations governing the
enforcement and performance of our contractual arrangements in the event of imposition of statutory
liens, bankruptcy and criminal proceedings. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the Chinese
regulatory authorities will not ultimately take a contrary view. If the Chinese government finds
that the agreements that establish the structure of our operations in China do not comply with
Chinese government restrictions on foreign investment in our industry, we could be subject to
severe penalties.
Internet Content Provider Licensure Requirements
The provision of online test preparation services and content on Internet web sites is subject
to Chinese laws and regulations relating to the telecommunications industry and the Internet, and
regulated by various government authorities, including MIIT and the State Administration of
Industry and Commerce, or SAIC. The principal regulations governing the telecommunications industry
and the Internet include:
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The Telecommunications Regulations (2000); |
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The Administrative Measures for Telecommunications Business Operating Licenses
(2001); and |
|
|
|
|
The Internet Information Services Administrative Measures (2000). |
Under these regulations, Internet content provision services are classified as value-added
telecommunications businesses, and a commercial operator must obtain a Telecommunications and
Information Services Operating License, or ICP license, from the appropriate telecommunications
authority in order to carry out commercial Internet content provision operations in China. In
addition, the regulations also provide that operators involved in Internet content provision that
operate in sensitive and strategic sectors, including news, publishing, education, health care,
medicine and medical devices, must obtain additional approvals from the relevant authorities in
charge of those sectors.
Certain local governments have promulgated local rules applicable to Internet companies
operating within their respective jurisdictions. In Beijing, the Beijing Administration of Industry
and Commerce has
47
promulgated a number of Internet-related rules. On October 31, 2004, a rule was
enacted requiring owners of commercial web sites located within Beijing to file their commercial
web sites with the Beijing Administration of Industry and Commerce.
ATA Online holds an ICP license issued by the Beijing Telecommunications Administration
Bureau, a local branch of the MIIT, which allows ATA Online to provide Internet content
distribution services. This license is essential to the operation of ATA Onlines online test
preparation services business.
The MIIT Notice requires that a value-added telecommunications business operator (or its
shareholders) should own any domain names and trademarks used by it to engage in the value-added
telecommunications business, and have premises and facilities appropriate for such business. To
comply with the MIIT Notice, we have transferred to ATA Online the domain names owned by our
subsidiaries that are used principally in connection with our online business activities.
Regulation of Internet Content
The Chinese government has promulgated measures relating to Internet content through a number
of ministries and agencies, including the MIIT, the Ministry of Culture and the State Press and
Publications Administration. These measures specifically prohibit Internet activities that result
in the publication of any content that is found to, among other things, propagate obscenity,
gambling or violence, instigate crimes, undermine public morality or the cultural traditions of
China, or compromise State security or secrets. If an ICP license holder violates these measures,
the Chinese government may revoke its ICP license and shut down its web sites.
Regulation of Online and Distance Education
Pursuant to the Administrative Regulations on Educational Web sites and Online and Distance
Education Schools issued by the Ministry of Education in 2000, educational web sites and online
education schools may provide education services in relation to higher education, elementary
education, pre-school education, teaching education, occupational education, adult education, other
education and public educational information services. Educational web sites refers to
organizations providing education or education-related information services to web site visitors by
means of a database or online education platform connected via the Internet or an educational
television station through an Internet service provider, or ISP. Online education schools refer
to education web sites providing academic education services or training services with the issuance
of various certificates.
Setting up educational web sites and online education schools is subject to approval from
relevant education authorities, depending on the specific types of education provided. Any
educational web site and online education school shall, upon receipt of approval, indicate on its
web site such approval information as well as the approval date and file number.
According to the Administrative License Law promulgated by the National Peoples Congress on
August 27, 2003 and effective as of July 1, 2004, only laws promulgated by the National Peoples
Congress and regulations and decisions promulgated by the State Council may set down administrative
license requirements. On June 29, 2004, the State Council promulgated the Decision on Setting Down
Administrative Licenses for the Administrative Examination and Approval Items Really Necessary to
be Retained, in which the administrative license for online education schools was retained, while
the administrative license for educational web sites was not retained. ATA Online is not required
to obtain a license as an online education school because ATA Online does not intend to offer
through its web site academic education services or training services that result in the issuance
of a degree or other certification.
Regulation of Broadcasting Audio-Visual Programs through the Internet or Other Information
Network
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, or SARFT, promulgated the Rules for
Administration of Broadcasting of Audio-Visual Programs through the Internet and Other Information
Networks, or the Broadcasting Rules, in 2004, which became effective on October 11, 2004. The
Broadcasting Rules apply to the activities of broadcasting, integrating, transmitting and
downloading of audio-visual programs with computers,
48
televisions or mobile phones as the main
terminals and through various types of information networks. Pursuant to the Broadcasting Rules, a
Permit for Broadcasting Audio-Visual Programs via Information Network is required to engage in
these Internet broadcasting activities. On April 13, 2005, the State Council announced a policy on
private investments in businesses in China relating to cultural matters that prohibits private
investments in businesses relating to the dissemination of audio-visual programs through
information networks. On December 20, 2007, SARFT and MIIT jointly promulgated the Administrative
Provisions on Internet Audio-Visual Program Service, or the Audio-Visual Service Provisions, which
became effective on January 31, 2008. Pursuant to the Audio-Visual Service Provisions, a Permit for
Disseminating Audio-Visual Programs via Information Network issued by the competent radio, film and
television authority, or completion of the relevant filing formalities with such authority, is
required to engage in the Internet audio-visual program service. One of the criteria that any
entity applying to engage in the Internet audio-visual program service must meet is that such
entity should be a wholly state-owned entity or state-controlled entity, which should have the
legal status of legal person, and there is no record indicating that such entity has violated laws
or regulations within three years prior to its application. According to the clarification by SARFT
and MIIT in their Answers to Questions of Press regarding the Administrative Provisions on Internet
Audio-Visual Program Service, entities that have been incorporated to engage in the Internet
audio-visual program service in compliance with the applicable laws or regulations prior to the
promulgation of the Audio-Visual Service Provisions and have no record of violating laws or
regulations can re-register and continue their businesses. As these regulations are relatively new,
there are significant uncertainties relating to their interpretation and implementation, including
the definition of audio-visual programs as specified in these regulations. We cannot assure you
that ATA Online will be able to obtain a Permit for Broadcasting Audio-Visual Programs via
Information Network if it is determined that one is required to operate the online test preparation
business.
Regulation of Information Security
Internet content in China is also regulated and restricted by the PRC government to protect
State security. The National Peoples Congress, Chinas national legislative body, has enacted a
law that may subject to criminal punishment in China any effort to: (1) gain improper entry into a
computer or system of strategic importance; (2) disseminate politically disruptive information; (3)
leak State secrets; (4) spread false commercial information; or (5) infringe intellectual property
rights.
The Ministry of Public Security has promulgated measures that prohibit use of the Internet in
ways that, among other things, result in a leakage of State secrets or a spread of socially
destabilizing content. The Ministry of Public Security has supervision and inspection rights in
this regard, and we may be subject to the jurisdiction of the local security bureaus. If an ICP
license holder violates these measures, the PRC government may revoke its ICP license and shut down
its web sites.
Regulation of Domain Names and Web Site Names
PRC law requires owners of Internet domain names to register their domain names with qualified
domain name registration agencies approved by MIIT and obtain a registration certificate from such
registration agencies. A registered domain name owner has an exclusive use right over its domain
name. Unregistered domain names may not receive proper legal protections and may be misappropriated
by unauthorized third parties. We have registered 21 domain names relating to our web sites,
including www.ata.net.cn , the primary URL for our web site, with the Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers and the China Internet Network Information Center, a domain name
registration service provider in China.
PRC law requires entities operating commercial web sites to register their web site names with
SAIC or its local offices and obtain a commercial web site name registration certificate. If any
entity operates a commercial web site without obtaining such certificate, it may be charged a fine
or suffer other penalties by the SAIC or its local offices. Our web sites used in connection with
our testing and education services are considered non-commercial web sites as we do not provide
products and services through those web sites, and therefore the names of those web sites are not
required to be registered with SAIC. ATA Online has registered the web site name used in connection
with the online test preparation business with Beijing municipal SAIC.
Regulation of Privacy Protection
49
PRC law does not prohibit Internet content providers from collecting and analyzing personal
information from their users. PRC law prohibits Internet content providers from disclosing to any
third parties any information transmitted by users through their networks unless otherwise
permitted by law. If an Internet content provider violates these regulations, MIIT or its local
offices may impose penalties and the Internet content provider may be liable for damages caused to
its users.
Regulation of Foreign Exchange
Chinas government imposes restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi and on the
collection and use of foreign currency by Chinese entities. Under current regulations, the Renminbi
is convertible for current account transactions, which include dividend distributions, interest
payments, and the import and export of goods and services. Conversion of Renminbi into foreign
currency and foreign currency into Renminbi for capital account transactions, such as direct
investment, portfolio investment and loans, however, is still generally subject to the prior
approval of the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE.
Under current Chinese regulations, foreign-invested enterprises such as our Chinese
subsidiaries are required to apply to SAFE for a Foreign Exchange Registration Certificate for
Foreign-Invested Enterprise. With such a foreign exchange registration certificate (which is
subject to review and renewal by SAFE on an annual basis), a foreign-invested enterprise may open
foreign exchange bank accounts at banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business by SAFE and
may buy, sell and remit foreign exchange through such banks, subject to documentation and approval
requirements. Foreign-invested enterprises are required to open and maintain separate foreign
exchange accounts for capital account transactions and current account transactions. In addition,
there are restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that foreign-invested enterprises may
retain in such accounts.
The exchange rate for conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies is heavily influenced by
intervention in the foreign exchange market by the Peoples Bank of China. From 1995 until July
2005, the Peoples Bank of China intervened in the foreign exchange market to maintain an exchange
rate of approximately 8.3 Renminbi per U.S. dollar. On July 21, 2005, the Chinese government
changed this policy and began allowing appreciation of the Renminbi versus the U.S. dollar.
However, the Renminbi is restricted to a rise or fall of no more than 0.5% per day versus the U.S.
dollar, and the Peoples Bank of China continues to intervene in the foreign exchange market to
prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate. Nevertheless, under
Chinas current exchange rate regime, the Renminbi may appreciate or depreciate significantly in
value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. The Renminbi appreciated 21.07% versus
the U.S. dollar from July 21, 2005 to March 31, 2009. There remains significant international
pressure on the Chinese government to adopt a substantial liberalization of its currency policy,
which could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of the Renminbi
against the U.S. dollar.
Regulation of Foreign Exchange in Certain Onshore and Offshore Transactions
In October 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Issues Relating to the Administration of Foreign
Exchange in Fund-Raising and Return Investment Activities of Domestic Residents Conducted via
Offshore Special Purpose Companies, or Notice 75, which became effective as of November 1, 2005.
Notice 75 states that Chinese residents must register with the relevant local SAFE branch in
connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of
overseas equity financing involving a round-trip investment whereby the offshore entity acquires or
controls onshore assets or equity interests held by the Chinese residents.
Our shareholders who are Chinese residents did not establish our offshore companies as part of
a round-trip investment to acquire or control through our offshore companies onshore assets or
equity interests originally held by such Chinese resident shareholders. Nevertheless, to ensure
that we remain in full compliance with all Chinese foreign exchange-related regulations, our
Chinese resident shareholders have applied for registration with the Beijing branch of SAFE under
Notice 75 in 2006, but were orally informed that the application could not be accepted because
Notice 75 does not apply to them. On May 29, 2007, SAFE issued the Notice of Operation Guidance
for Notice 75, or Notice 106, according to which Chinese resident shareholders in an offshore
company which has at least two years operating history and has made investment in China can apply
for registration under Notice 75. There is no deadline for such registration. We have urged our
Chinese resident shareholders to register under Notice 75 and they are preparing for such
application. However, we cannot assure you that the application will be accepted by SAFE. Failure
by such shareholders to comply with Notice 75 could subject us to fines or legal sanctions,
restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries ability
50
to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect
our business and prospects.
Regulation of Overseas Listings
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the Chinese Securities Regulatory
Commission, or CSRC, promulgated the Provisions Regarding Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic
Enterprise by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rule, which became effective on September 8, 2006
without retroactive effect. The M&A Rule, among other things, requires that an offshore company
controlled by PRC companies or individuals that has acquired a PRC domestic company for the purpose
of listing the PRC domestic companys equity interest on an overseas stock exchange must obtain the
approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such offshore companys securities on an
overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC, pursuant to the M&A Rule, published on
its official web site procedures specifying documents and materials required to be submitted to it
by offshore companies seeking CSRC approval of their overseas listings.
We believe CSRC approval was not required for our initial public offering in February 2008
because the CSRC approval required under the M&A Rule only applies to an offshore company that has
acquired a domestic PRC company for the purpose of listing the domestic PRC companys equity
interest on an overseas stock exchange, while (i) we obtained our equity interest in each of our
PRC subsidiaries by means of direct investment other than by acquisition of the equity or assets of
a PRC domestic company and (ii) our contractual arrangements with ATA Online do not constitute the
acquisition of ATA Online. See Item 3.D. Key Information Risk Factors Risks Relating to
Regulation of Our Business If the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or CSRC, or another PRC
regulatory agency determines that CSRC approval was required in connection with our initial public
offering, we may become subject to penalties.
C. Organizational Structure
Corporate Structure and Arrangements with Our Affiliated PRC Entity
The following diagram illustrates our corporate and share ownership structure. Except for ATA
BVI and JDX BVI, which are incorporated in the British Virgin islands, all of our subsidiaries and our affiliated PRC entity are incorporated in the PRC.
For a detailed description of the Companys significant subsidiaries, see Item 4.A History and
Development of the Company.
51
In July 2009, ATA Testing increased the paid-in capital from US$2.5 million to US$15.0 million.
In August 2009, ATA Online increased the paid-in capital from RMB1.0 million to RMB10.0 million.
To comply with PRC laws and regulations restricting foreign ownership in distributors of
Internet content, our online test preparation business in China is conducted through a series of
contractual arrangements entered into among ATA BVI, ATA Learning and ATA Online (Beijing)
Education Technology Limited, or ATA Online, a PRC entity incorporated in the PRC and owned by
Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, our co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer and Walter Lin Wang, our
co-founder, director and president, in the percentages described in the diagram above. ATA Online
holds the license required to operate the online portion of our test preparation and training
solutions business. ATA Learning (Wuxi) Inc., or ATA Wuxi was established in January 2008, as a
subsidiary of ATA Learning to operate our pre-occupational training programs business. We do not
have any direct ownership interest or direct shareholding rights in ATA Online and as a result do
not have direct control or direct oversight over ATA Online. For a detailed description of these
contractual arrangements, see Item 7.B. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions. As a result of these contractual arrangements, under U.S. GAAP, we are
considered the primary beneficiary of ATA Online. Accordingly, we consolidate ATA Onlines results
in our consolidated financial statements.
Our subsidiaries or ATA Online enter into commercial contracts with third party customers and
clients based upon a judgment we make as to which entity is the appropriate entity for the
provision of the type of service being offered. We primarily sell our testing services and the
non-online portion of our test preparation and training
52
solutions business through ATA Testing, our
education services through ATA Learning and our online test preparation services through ATA
Online.
For risks associated with our contractual arrangements with ATA Online and its shareholders,
see Item 3.D. Key Information Risk Factors Risks Relating to Regulation of Our Business
Substantial uncertainties and restrictions exist with respect to the application and implementation
of Chinese laws and regulations relating to Internet content distribution. If the Chinese
government finds that the structure for our online test preparation services and other services we
provide through the Internet do not comply with Chinese laws and regulations, we could be subject
to penalties and may not be able to continue those businesses. and Our contractual arrangements
with ATA Online and its shareholders do not provide us with ownership interest in ATA Online. If
ATA Online or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual
arrangements, we may have to legally enforce such arrangements and our business, financial
condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected if these arrangements
cannot be enforced.
D. Property, Plant and Equipment
Our principal executive offices are located in approximately 2,170 square meters of office
space leased by us at Tower E, 6 Gongyuan West Street, Jian Guo Men Nei, Beijing 100005, China. We
also occupy approximately 3,000 square meters of total leased office space in our subsidiaries and
branches located in Shanghai, Fuzhou, Nanjing and Wuhan. On August 7, 2008, we entered into
agreements to purchase our Beijing office building for total cash consideration of RMB51.5 million.
On August 12, 2008, RMB0.4 million was paid to the seller as a deposit, and the remainder of the
consideration was paid to the sellers on July 21, 2009. We believe that our existing facilities are
adequate for our current requirements and that additional space can be obtained on commercially
reasonable terms to meet our future requirements.
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
A. Operating Results
Overview
Our Business
We believe that we are the leading provider of computer-based testing services in China. We
offer comprehensive services for the creation and delivery of computer-based tests utilizing our
nation-wide test delivery platform, proprietary testing technologies and extensive experience
providing testing services in China. We have experienced significant growth in our business during
the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Our total net revenues have increased from
RMB84.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 to RMB172.1 million in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2008 and RMB217.5 million ($31.8 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
We had net loss of RMB16.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, and net income of
RMB20.2 million and RMB22.8 million ($3.3 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and
2009, respectively.
We started our business in 1999 focusing on providing computer-based testing services to test
sponsors. Our testing services revenues have grown primarily as a result of increases in the number
of testing services clients and the number of test takers who take tests created and delivered
using our testing technologies. Testing services revenues accounted for 29.0%, 45.4% and 63.0%of
our total net revenues in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. We
expect our testing services revenues to continue to be the largest source of our total net revenues
as a result of new contracts with test sponsors in the banking, securities and blue collar sectors.
In March 2009, we launched HR Select, our self-developed online system that utilizes our
proprietary software and a large inventory of test titles to assist companies in streamlining and
optimizing their employee selection and assessment processes. HR Select offers tools for filtering
and categorizing employee candidates,
53
testing candidates and analyzing the test results. Since
March 2009, we have been the exclusive agent for delivering the Test of English for International
Communication, or TOEIC, in China. Revenues from HR Select and distribution and administration of
TOEIC exams will be included in testing services revenues. The following graph shows the growth in
the number of tests delivered using our testing technologies for the twelve months ended March 31,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Number of Exams Delivered (1)
(1) Includes Microsoft royalty tests overseas and tests delivered through our test delivery
platform and tests using our Dynamic Simulation Technology. Also includes free tests delivered for
business development purposes. The number of tests delivered excluding the free tests in the fiscal
years ended March 31, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 was 1,860,412, 2,067,714, 3,335,701,
3,632,285 and 5,063,379, respectively. We delivered 9,155,185 free tests in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2008 for the on-line nationwide accounting knowledge contest.
Leveraging our testing expertise, in 2002 we began offering our career-oriented course
programs, which we market to Chinese educational institutions. We develop our course programs by
integrating our testing technologies and services with IT learning content authorized by major IT
vendors. In March 2006, we began to offer pre-occupational training programs, which are programs
with trained instructors that allow students to obtain practical skills through exercises designed
to more closely align their skills with specific job requirements. Licensing fees from test-based
educational services accounted for 50.4%, 28.2% and 19.6% of our total net revenues in the fiscal
years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. We expect revenues from our test-based
education services to continue to decline. Since December 2008, we have redirected most of our
sales and marketing efforts from our test-based education services towards our newly developed
testing services such as HR Select and TOEIC where we believe there is greater market opportunity.
By integrating our testing technologies with targeted test preparation content for certain
professional licensure and certification tests, in 2006 we began offering test preparation and
training solutions for the securities, insurance and teaching industries. ATA Online, our
affiliated PRC entity, launched online test preparation web sites in coordination with the
Securities Association of China, the China Futures Association and the China Banking Association to
help candidates across China practice and prepare for these organizations professional licensure
and certification tests, which tests are delivered by us through our test delivery platform. We
also began offering, in November 2006, our NTET Tutorial Platform software, which comprises a
comprehensive set of training materials to prepare teachers for certification under the National
Teachers Skill Test of Applied Educational Technology in Secondary and Elementary Schools, or NTET
test, which is delivered nationwide through our test delivery platform. We suspended offering our
NTET Tutorial Platform in October 2008 as a result of a delay in the timing of the teachers
certification testing requirement deadline. We have recently entered into a business partnership
with the PRC Ministry of Education to develop and provide online tutorials to students enrolled in
Cambridge ESOLs Cambridge Young Learners English programs in China. Revenues from this program,
which we expect to launch during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010, will be included in test
preparation and training solutions revenues. Revenues from our test preparation and training
solutions accounted for 21.5% and 11.5% of our total revenue in the fiscal years ended March 31,
2008 and 2009, respectively.
54
On October 15, 2007, the Company entered into acquisition agreements to purchase the entire
equity interests of Beijing JDX and JDX BVI (the acquiree) for RMB10 million. Beijing JDX is a
PRC incorporated entity primarily engaged in the development and marketing of software for
computer-based tests. JDX BVI is a British Virgin Islands incorporated entity established by the
equity holders of Beijing JDX (selling shareholders) to hold exclusive licensing rights for the
use of technology owned by Beijing JDX. This acquisition is expected to expand the Companys
customer base by allowing it to market test delivery services to the test sponsors that are using
the products developed by Beijing JDX.
During the year ended March 31, 2008, cash payments of RMB4.3 million were made to the
selling shareholders as a deposit for the acquisition. According to the supplementary agreement
signed in August 2008, Beijing JDX should refund RMB2 million of the deposit with the remaining
consideration of RMB7.7 million payable through the offset of a receivable due from the selling
shareholders of RMB4.7 million related to the exercise of the warrant described below and cash of
RMB3 million. As of March 31, 2009, the unpaid cash consideration was RMB2.3 million ($0.3 million), of which
RMB2.0 million ($0.3 million) was paid in April 2009 and RMB0.3 million ($44,718) was paid in July 2009.
In conjunction with the acquisition agreements, the Company also issued warrants to purchase
126,803 of the Companys common shares to certain selling shareholders. The exercise price of the
warrants was USD5.25 per share. The warrants were exercisable upon the closing of the transaction
and expire on January 13, 2008. The fair value of the warrants was RMB0.8 million ($0.1 million), based
on an independent valuation by Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited using the Binomial option
pricing model. The fair value of the warrants was recorded as a deposit for the acquisition with a
corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets. On January
5, 2008, the expiration date of the warrants was extended to April 30 and on April 24, 2008, the
expiration date was further extended to June 30, 2008. On May 10, 2008, the warrants were exercised
prior to the consummation of the acquisition that resulted in a further modification to the
original term of the warrants. The common shares were delivered in February 2009 when the
acquisition was consummated as described below. As a result of these changes to the original terms
of the warrants, the fair value of the modified warrants was re-measured to RMB0.6 million ($92,515) based on an
independent valuation by Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited.
On February 28, 2009, the Company obtained the approval from the State Administration of
Foreign Exchange (SAFE) for wiring foreign-currency-denominated purchase price into the PRC. On
this date, the Company signed an agreement with the selling shareholders that the Company has
obtained a controlling financial interest in the acquiree and effective control of the acquiree has
been transferred to the Company. The results of Beijing JDX and JDX BVI have been included in our
consolidated results since February 28, 2009.
The aggregate purchase price was RMB10.7 million ($1.6 million), including the above-mentioned fair value of
the warrants of RMB0.6 million ($92,515) and legal fees of RMB94,082.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Some of the key general factors affecting our results of operations are:
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growth in Chinas professional services sector resulting in increasing demand
for qualified and certified talent in China; |
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overall economic growth and rising income levels in China contributing to
increased spending on education, testing and test preparation; |
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government and industry initiatives to standardize and license professionals in
industries such as securities, futures, banking, law and accounting; |
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growth in the use of computer-based tests and performance-based tests and
willingness of test sponsors and educational program providers to outsource test
content development and delivery for sophisticated computer-based and performance-based
tests; |
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emphasis on, and government encouragement for, career-oriented and IT-related
educational programs in China; |
55
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the increasing importance of identifying qualified talent contributing to
increasing demand for testing and certification programs that can confirm the
qualifications of the applicant or job seeker; |
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acceptance by educational institutions of our career-oriented and IT-related
educational programs; and |
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our ability to continue to introduce new services and their market success,
including our HR Select service launched in March 2009, distribution and administration
of TOEIC exams in China beginning in March 2009 and expected launch of Cambridge Young
Learners English program during our fiscal year ending March 31, 2010. |
Although we anticipate the above factors will continue to increase demand for our products and
services in China, a slowing or reversal of any of the above factors could cause our revenue growth
to slow or stop, or to not grow as fast as we might expect Although the global financial
crisis affected the overall Chinese economy in the second half of calendar year 2008 through the
first half of calendar year 2009, we have not experienced a significant effect on demand for our
products and services attributable to the crisis, and we do not anticipate that the crisis will
significantly impact demand for our products and services in China in the fiscal year ending March
31, 2010.
In addition, our results of operations have been, and may continue to be, significantly
affected by the following factors:
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share-based compensation; |
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the impact of certain preferential tax rates and tax holidays; |
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valuation of tax loss carryforwards; |
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foreign currency exchange losses; |
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sales and marketing efforts used to introduce testing services and training
programs marketed directly to private sector businesses or directly to consumers; and |
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the relative proportion of our net revenues derived from higher-gross margin
and lower-gross margin product and service offerings. |
Net Revenues
We derive revenues from licensing fees for computer-based testing services, licensing fees for
test-based educational services, sales of test preparation and training solutions, and other
products and services. Our net revenues are presented net of PRC business taxes. The following
table sets forth a breakdown of our total net revenues for the periods.
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For the fiscal year Ended March 31, |
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|
2007 |
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|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands, except for percentages) |
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|
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|
|
|
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|
Net Revenues |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
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|
Testing services |
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|
24,628 |
|
|
|
29.0 |
% |
|
|
78,198 |
|
|
|
45.4 |
% |
|
|
137,046 |
|
|
|
20,057 |
|
|
|
63.0 |
% |
Test-based
educational
services |
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|
42,804 |
|
|
|
50.4 |
% |
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|
48,595 |
|
|
|
28.2 |
% |
|
|
42,546 |
|
|
|
6,227 |
|
|
|
19.6 |
% |
Test preparation
and training
solutions |
|
|
10,076 |
|
|
|
11.9 |
% |
|
|
36,908 |
|
|
|
21.5 |
% |
|
|
25,071 |
|
|
|
3,669 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
% |
Other |
|
|
7,373 |
|
|
|
8.7 |
% |
|
|
8,387 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
% |
|
|
12,882 |
|
|
|
1,885 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues |
|
|
84,881 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
172,088 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
217,545 |
|
|
|
31,838 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Testing Services
We derive testing services revenues from licensing fees charged to test sponsors for our test
delivery services and from simulation testing technology licensing.
56
Test delivery services. We generate test delivery services revenues through licensing fees
charged for providing computer-based testing services to test sponsors such as governmental
agencies, IT vendors and other sponsors of licensure and certification tests. We offer our clients
a comprehensive set of services for the compilation, delivery and analysis of computer-based tests
using our E-testing platform, as well as logistical services such as test registration and fee
collection. Tests delivered through our E-testing platform may be conducted at our ATA authorized
test centers or at other locations at the test sponsors discretion. We generate revenues from our
test delivery services through technology licensing fees charged to test sponsors based on the
total number of test takers taking a requested test. Our clients typically pay us within two to six
months of delivery of the test. We recognize revenue for test delivery services upon completion of
the relevant test.
We have experienced seasonality and expect in the future to continue to experience seasonality
in revenues and accounts receivable related to our test delivery services. We typically have higher
net revenues from test delivery services in the quarter ending December 31 than in other quarters
due to a generally higher number of tests delivered by our clients during that quarter. Net
revenues from test delivery services are typically lowest in the quarter ending March 31. Our
second largest quarter in terms of number of tests delivered may vary between the quarters ending
June 30 and September 30 depending on whether certain large-scale tests, such as the banking
licensure test, are scheduled in one or the other quarter. Depending on when we receive payment
from our test sponsor clients, we may experience substantial increases in our accounts receivable
balance at the end of the quarter ending December 31 of each fiscal year.
Simulation testing technology licensing. We license our Dynamic Simulation Technology and
other simulation testing technologies to IT certification sponsors, such as Microsoft, and
international test preparation service providers. Our technology licensing arrangements include
annual license fees and royalty fees. Annual license fees are prepaid at the end of the quarter
ending June 30 of each year, while royalty fees are payable quarterly. We recognize revenue from
royalty fees in the quarter in which our simulation testing technology licenses are delivered,
which is evidenced by the quarterly usage reports received from the licensees. Annual license fee
revenues are recognized over the year on a straight-line basis. We have not experienced significant
seasonality in revenues or accounts receivable in relation to our simulation testing technology
licensing.
Significant Factors Affecting Testing Services
The most significant factor directly affecting our revenues from licensing fees charged for
our testing services are the number of test takers. The number of test takers for a test is driven
by our ability to secure contracts with test sponsors for the creation and delivery of
computer-based test titles popular with test takers. The volume of tests we offer is determined by
the willingness of test sponsors to use our services. We expect the acceptance of our HR Select
service by the private sector and growth of the TOEIC exam in China to impact our testing services
revenues in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 and beyond. We believe test sponsors choose our
services because (i) for all test sponsors, our testing services provide a proven and
technologically advanced computer-based and performance-based testing format that is stable,
cost-effective, secure, accurate and better able to assess the real-world, practical skills of test
takers, (ii) for government test sponsors, our testing services allow governmental agencies to
outsource the burden and difficulty of administering large-scale tests to a third-party service
provider better equipped to handle the testing process, (iii) for IT vendors, our testing services
help perpetuate the market prevalence of their products and technologies and help identify
technical talent from across China, and (iv) for private enterprises, our HR Select service offers
a comprehensive set of test titles and availability of test centers to cost effectively determine
if a candidate is a suitable employee. Our revenues from licensing fees charged for our testing
services are also affected by the price we can charge per test, which generally remains fairly
stable once we are engaged by a test sponsor to help deliver a particular test.
Demand and pricing for a test is affected by whether a certain profession, career or job
position for which the certification, licensure or qualification test is being given is considered
desirable by potential test takers. Some industries may experience fluctuations in the numbers of
people attempting to become qualified to participate in the industry, depending on the overall
health of the relevant industry, changes in average salary levels in the relevant industry, the
popularity of certain types of careers and employers, governmental policies that impact the
relevant industry, or other factors. Tests that test proficiency in specific IT-related skill sets
are particularly sensitive to changes in or the obsolescence of the relevant technologies.
In addition, obtaining contracts from test sponsors for new test titles and for upgrading
existing test titles often requires us to expend considerable time and resources. Many of our
clients administer tests to a large
57
number of people on a regular basis, and maintaining
consistency and stability from year to year in the test delivery format is important to them. The
decision process involved in adopting a new type of test or a new test delivery format can be
difficult and complex. These factors often result in significant delays in our ability to secure
contracts, which can make it difficult for us to predict our revenues from licensing fees from test
sponsors in any given year. On the other hand, for test sponsors that administer many tests on a
regular basis, our ability to secure an initial contract and to effectively meet their test
delivery requirements under the contract can help us obtain future test title contracts from that
test sponsor, which enables us to increase and diversify our revenues and to hinder the ability of
competitors to secure contracts with the test sponsor. In addition, our ability to license our
simulation technology to leading IT vendors and other clients that require cutting-edge
computer-based simulation testing technologies depends largely on our ability to maintain and
extend our technology leadership in this area.
In this regard, our revenues from licensing fees from test sponsors may be negatively affected
if Microsoft exercises its contractual option to purchase the source code of our Dynamic Simulation
Technology. See Item 3.D. Key Information Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our Business If
Microsoft exercises its contractual option to acquire the source code of our Dynamic Simulation
Technology, or DST, Microsoft or a company to which Microsoft licenses or sells such technology may
be able to more effectively compete with us. We have not received any indication from Microsoft
that it intends to exercise this purchase option.
Finally, our ability to roll out the delivery of new tests, particularly large-scale tests
delivered nationwide through our network of ATA authorized test centers, can be complicated and
time consuming, which may delay our ability to generate revenues under some of our contracts for
delivery of tests that have not been delivered previously.
Test-Based Educational Services
We receive licensing fees from test-based educational services charged to educational
institutions for our degree major course programs, single course programs and pre-occupational
training programs.
Degree major course programs. Our degree major course programs are comprised of a series of
individual course programs designed to help students acquire a cluster of skill sets that can best
prepare them for specific job types and careers, and, in some cases, allow them to acquire
certifications from well-known IT vendors. Our degree major course programs are designed to be
completed within one to five years, with the majority being completed in two to three years. Our
course content and related tests for each course in the degree major course program integrate our
computer-based simulation and other testing technologies with IT learning content and
certifications authorized by the IT vendors.
We generate revenues from our degree major course programs through licensing fees charged to
educational institutions. Our licensing fees are charged per student per year and are agreed upon
prior to delivery of any course or test materials. Our fee is payable shortly after confirmation by
the educational institution of the number of students enrolled in each degree major course program
near the beginning of each school year. For first-year courses, confirmation of the number of
students enrolled in each degree major course program usually occurs one to two months into the
school year because a small percentage of first-year students change their degree major in the
first few months after commencement of the school year. Therefore, billing and payment collection
for our first-year courses often does not occur until later in the school year. The fees are not
refundable if the student fails to complete one or more of the courses or the entire degree major
course program or fails any of the tests.
Revenues from our degree major course programs may fluctuate because revenues from the final
year of the degree major course program are recognized over a ten-month period (generally September
through June) while revenues from the first through the next-to-last years of the program are
recognized over a 12-month period (generally September through August). We also expect some
seasonality in our billing and accounts receivable related to degree major course programs. Our
contractual right to collect from our clients typically falls around the months of October to
November when the number of enrolled students is confirmed. A large portion of our clients settle
payment with us two to five months after that time, around the months of December to March.
Depending on the mix of clients that pay us in December or January each year, we may experience
fluctuations in our accounts receivable balance and cash booked. As a result, our accounts
receivable have historically been highest at the end of the quarter ending December 31 of each
fiscal year.
58
Single course programs. Our single course programs typically center on a specific type of
computer software application or other technology that requires significant training and practice
to master and for which certification is offered.
We generate revenues from our single course programs through licensing fees charged to
educational institutions. We charge licensing fees for our single course programs based on a
pre-agreed fee per student taking each course. A portion of the per-student fee, generally 30% to
100% of the total, is due prior to delivery of the course materials at the beginning of the course
period based on the number of students who enroll in the course. The remainder of the per-student
fee is due prior to delivery of the final test and is based on the number of students taking the
final test. We charge schools based on our perceived market value of the certification to be
awarded to the student at the completion of the course.
Our contracts for single course programs entered into prior to January 2006 were silent as to
the term or period that we are required to provide services. Beginning in January 2006, we have
revised the standard terms of our single course program contracts to stipulate that we have no
obligations to provide future services after a definitive term even if the course has not been
completed. Upon commencement of a single course program that does not have a definitive term, we
estimate, based on our historical experience, the percentage of contracts that will be completed
within 12 months, and recognize revenue for such contracts on a straight-line basis over a period
of five months, which is the expected service period based on historical averages. For the
percentage of contracts that are not expected to be completed within 12 months, we do not recognize
revenue until the course is completed or we otherwise obtain confirmation from the educational
institution that we no longer have any future obligations. For all single course programs that have
a definitive term of service period, we recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the service
period or the contractual period, whichever is shorter.
At the end of each reporting period upon the closing of our financial records, we compare the
revenue recognized at the onset of the contracts to the actual completion status of each contract,
on a contract by contract basis, and make any revenue adjustments to reflect the actual completion
status of the contracts. Given that substantially all course programs are delivered during a school
year, which spans from September of each year to June of the following year, we will experience a
substantial decrease in single course program revenues for the months of July and August each year.
We do not expect significant accounts receivable from our single course program clients due to the
fact that we bill and receive cash prior to delivery of a large portion of the relevant services.
Pre-occupational training programs. Our pre-occupational training programs provide trained
instructors to teach students practical skills through exercises designed to more closely align
their skills with specific job requirements. We generate revenues by licensing our pre-occupational
training programs to educational institutions and from fees charged to educational institutions for
arranging deployment of training instructors.
We currently run two models for our pre-occupational training programs: the co-operated model
and the self-operated model. Under the co-operated model, we provide pre-occupational training
personnel and programs, while the educational institutions provide the facilities, equipment and
operational staff and are responsible for student in-take. We charge either on a consumption basis
by referencing the number of enrolled students or by course hours consumed over the typical
training period of two to three months or on a license basis by referencing the number of licenses
purchased per year, which is determined by the number of courses that comprise the training program
and working units in the training center. Alternatively, we also receive instructor deployment
revenue based on the length of the program if a client requires us to deploy training instructors.
Under the self-operated model, the training center is invested and operated by us. Participating
schools send students to our training facilities and we collect fees based on the number of class
units taken over the typical training period of two to three months.
We recognize revenue from licensing our pre-occupational training programs over the service
delivery period on a straight-line basis, either over the typical training period of two to three
months, or if the license fee charged is on a per-year basis, over the 12-month period from the
commencement date. We typically collect cash either in full prior to delivery of the service, or
50% at the time when the service is first delivered and 50% just prior to completion of the
service. Instructor deployment revenue is collected prior to instructor deployment, and is
recognized on straight-line basis over the service delivery period.
59
Significant Factors Affecting Test-Based Educational Services
We use the concept of student-months to track growth in our test-based educational services
revenues from licensing fees charged to educational institutions for our degree major course
programs, single course programs and pre-occupational training programs. Degree major
student-months are calculated by first multiplying the number of students in each degree major by
the number of months of that degree major course program in the relevant period and then adding the
resulting numbers for all of our degree major course programs together to reach an aggregate degree
major student-months figure for the period. Single course student-months are calculated by first
multiplying the number of students in each single course program by the number of months of that
single course program in the relevant period and then adding the resulting numbers for all of our
single course programs together to reach an aggregate single course student-months figure for the
period.
A number of factors affect our degree major, single course and pre-occupational training
student-months, as follows:
|
|
|
Our ability to add schools that offer our course programs; |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to add new course programs to existing educational institution
clients; and |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to secure rights from IT vendors for curriculum and test content. |
Test Preparation and Training Solutions
We derive test preparation and training solutions revenues from the sale of training software
products and online test preparation and training services. We historically also generated some
revenues from sales of software to schools to conduct computer-based exercises and tests.
Online test preparation and training services. ATA Online provides online test preparation
and training for professional licensure and certification tests delivered through our testing
platform for the Securities Association of China, the China Futures Association and the China
Banking Association. Revenues from online test preparation and training services are generated by
selling online membership to end users directly or through distributors on a consignment basis. The
online membership entitles the end users the access to online test preparation and training
services during a specified service period, which normally ranges between 90 to 180 days from the
activation of the membership account. Revenue of online membership is recognized on a straight-line
basis ratably over the service period commencing at the point of time the membership account is
activated. If the membership accounts sold to the end users are not activated before the expiration
date, related online service revenue is recognized on the expiration date. For the membership
accounts granted with fixed online hours, we compare the revenue recognized to the actual
completion status by account, and make any revenue adjustments to reflect the actual completion
status.
Training software products. We offer our training software products through independent sales
agents. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, substantially all of our training software
products revenue derived from the sales of NTET Tutorial Platform software, which comprises a
comprehensive set of training materials for preparing teachers for certification under the NTET
test. We began offering our NTET Tutorial Platform in November 2006. We sell all title and
distribution rights to the distributor upon delivery. We do not provide upgrades or any additional
post-contract services, which are the responsibility of the sales agents who sell or otherwise
dispose of our NTET Tutorial Platform. We recognize this revenue upon delivery of the software and
once collectability is reasonably assured. We believe demand for test preparation and training
solutions are generally highest close to test and certification requirement deadlines, which are
typically during the quarter ending December 31. Therefore, we generally expect revenues from test
preparation and training solutions to be the highest in the quarter ending December 31. We
suspended offering our NTET Tutorial Platform in October 2008 as a result of a delay in the timing
of the teachers certification testing requirement deadline.
Significant Factors Affecting Test Preparation and Training Solutions
A number of factors affect our revenues from test preparation and training solutions. One of
the most important of these is our ability to grow the number of test titles we deliver through our
test delivery platform. Because we only offer test preparation and training solutions for tests
that are delivered through our test delivery
60
platform, the number of test titles we deliver through
our test delivery platform directly impacts the potential number of tests for which we can offer
test preparation and training solutions. However, the demand for test preparation and training
solutions is not the same for all tests. Demand for test preparation and training solutions for a
particular test depends on the relative level of importance or difficulty of the test, with greater
demand for test preparation and training solutions for more important and more difficult tests.
Therefore, our ability to secure test delivery services contracts for more important and more
difficult tests may affect our test preparation and training solutions business. Our ability to
grow our test preparation and training solutions business is also affected by the willingness of
our test sponsor clients to permit us to provide test preparation and training solutions for their
tests. Some test sponsor clients may not permit us to provide test preparation and training
solutions in relation to tests for which we provide test delivery and other services due to a
perceived conflict of interest. In addition, because we generally do not develop the learning
content used in our test preparation and training solutions, our ability to license test
preparation learning content and materials from the relevant test sponsor or third party content
provider is critical to the expansion of the number of tests for which we offer test preparation
and training solutions. Sales of some of our test preparation products also depend on government
budgets available for procuring these products. For example, sales of our NTET preparation software
depend to a significant degree on government budgets for procuring software for schools to have
their teachers prepare for the national teachers qualification exam, which in turn depends on the
deadline for obtaining such qualification. Due to a delay in this deadline, related budgets have
been reduced since calendar year 2008. Governmental budgets may vary year to year for a number of
reasons, which can affect sales of these products.
In addition, our revenues from existing test preparation and training solutions depend on the
number of users of our test preparation and training solutions and the price we can charge for
them. These in turn depend on a number of factors, including whether test takers are aware of our
test preparation and training solutions and the timing of the test being delivered. We market our
current test preparation and training solutions through either distributors or the test sponsor and
the number of test preparation and training solutions users depends on the effectiveness of these
marketing channels.
Other Revenue
We derive other revenues from licensing fees paid to us by operators of our ATA authorized
test centers, issuance of certificates delivered to passing candidates, and other fees and
services.
Licensing fees from ATA authorized test centers. We have established our nationwide network
of ATA authorized test centers by contracting with qualified independent operators that act as ATA
authorized test centers for us. Under our contracts with test center operators, we license our ATA
name and ATA E-testing platform technology and provide ongoing technical support, upgrades and
training during the contract period in exchange for license fees. Although we generate a small but
steady stream of licensing revenue from test center operators, we view our network of ATA
authorized test centers primarily as a channel for the nationwide delivery of our tests, which is
an important consideration for many of our test sponsor clients, as well as a means to build our
brand by placing ATA signage in our numerous test centers across China. We do not provide loan
guarantees, asset pledges or any other financial support to the ATA authorized test centers.
We receive license fees from our test center operators in the form of either a single initial
license fee or a combination of initial license fee and annual continuing license fees. Under
either fee arrangement, our licensees can extend their licensing agreement with us indefinitely. We
recognize revenue from initial license fees on a straight-line basis over the expected licensing
period, which currently is ten years. We recognize revenue from annual license fees once
collectability is reasonably assured, which has generally been once we receive cash payment, over
the remaining months of the year to which the annual license fees relate.
Certificates. Many of our testing services clients, including well-known test sponsors,
charge passing candidates a separate fee to receive a certificate for a test passed. We deliver
these certificates to these candidates upon request. We charge a per-certificate price for the
certificates and recognize revenues from certificate issuances upon delivery of the certificate.
Other fees and services. From time to time and as requested by our clients, we may provide
test content creation services, teacher training services, IT consulting and system integration
services to our clients. We recognize revenue upon completion of the services, which usually occurs
within a short period of time. We may
61
also receive payments for additional copies of training
materials, for which we recognize revenue upon receiving cash.
Cost of Revenues
Our cost of revenues consists primarily of test delivery monitoring costs, royalty fees,
payroll compensation, and the cost of inventory sold, all of which are directly attributable to the
provision of our testing services, test-based educational services, test preparation and training
solutions and our other products and services. The following table shows our cost of revenues and
gross profit for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands, except for percentages) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Revenue |
|
|
84,881 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
172,088 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
217,545 |
|
|
|
31,838 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Cost of revenues |
|
|
41,102 |
|
|
|
48.4 |
% |
|
|
66,947 |
|
|
|
38.9 |
% |
|
|
92,608 |
|
|
|
13,553 |
|
|
|
42.6 |
% |
Gross Profit |
|
|
43,779 |
|
|
|
51.6 |
% |
|
|
105,141 |
|
|
|
61.1 |
% |
|
|
124,937 |
|
|
|
18,285 |
|
|
|
57.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Test Delivery Monitoring Costs
Test delivery monitoring costs consist of fees paid to hire test proctors, rental of testing
facilities and peripheral items used for the provision of our testing services, such as USB flash
drives used for security control keys, computer cameras used during testing for communication and
identification, compact discs used to store and deliver our testing software, and signage used to
identify and brand our ATA authorized test centers.
Royalty Fees
Royalty fees consist of fees paid to IT vendors for the use of their proprietary content in
our course programs and our computer-based tests. We pay substantially all of these royalty fees
under an enrollment model, whereby royalty fees are determined based on the number of students who
enroll in the course. Under limited circumstances, an IT vendor may also charge an annual royalty
cost regardless of the number of students enrolled in, or that take the final test for, the course.
Payroll Compensation
Payroll compensation consists of base salary and related welfare benefits paid to staff in our
services implementation and customer support departments.
Cost of Inventory Sold
Cost of inventory sold is comprised of printed learning material that are pre-printed by third
parties and that we record as inventory. When a school contracts with us for degree major and
single course programs, we deliver the related compact discs and textbooks and other course
materials prior to the start of the course programs. Cost of inventory is recognized on a
first-in-first-out basis.
Factors Affecting Gross Margin
Our gross margin is primarily affected by changes in gross margins from our testing services,
which in turn are significantly affected by our revenue per test and test related costs, including
the fees we pay for test monitoring to test centers. Our gross margin is also affected by the size
of, and increases or decreases in, royalty payments to IT vendors and other content providers for
our course programs. Degree major and single course program licensing fees are subject to mutual
negotiation between us and the content providers.
62
Our gross margin is also affected by the mix of our service offerings. For example, the
introduction of test preparation and training solutions such as our NTET Tutorial Platform and ATA
Onlines online test preparation services in November 2006, which both involve relatively low
direct costs of service, contributed to our higher gross margin in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2008. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, NTET sales decreased significantly due to cuts in
relevant government budgets, which negatively affected our gross margin in that fiscal year.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses consist of general and administrative expenses, sales and marketing
expenses and research and development expenses.
General and Administrative Expenses
Our general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for our
administrative and finance personnel, professional fees, office expenses, rental costs, provisions
for uncollectible accounts receivable, travel expenses, and share-based compensation expenses.
Sales and Marketing Expenses
Our sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of share-based compensation expenses, sales
agency fees, cost of hosting conferences, advertising expenses, travel and entertainment expenses,
salaries and benefits for our sales and marketing personnel, and other sales and marketing
expenses.
Research and Development Expenses
Our research and development expenses consist primarily of costs of equipment used in our
research and development activities, salaries and benefits for our research and development
personnel, cost of outsourcing services and other costs relating to the design, development,
testing and enhancement of our products and services.
Taxation
Cayman Islands & British Virgin Islands
Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, the Company, ATA
BVI and JDX BVI are not subject to tax on income or capital gains. In addition, upon any payments
of dividends by the Company, ATA BVI or JDX BVI, no Cayman Islands or British Virgin Islands
withholding tax is imposed.
China
Our subsidiaries and our variable interest entity operating in the PRC are subject to PRC
taxes as described below:
Enterprise Income Tax. Prior to January 1, 2008, the effective date of the New EIT Law, both
domestic and foreign-invested enterprises were generally subject to an enterprise income tax rate
of 33% in the PRC under the relevant tax laws. Prior to January 1, 2008, our subsidiaries
incorporated in China, ATA Testing and ATA Learning, were governed by the PRC Enterprise Income Tax
Law for Foreign-Invested Enterprises and Foreign Enterprises. Our consolidated VIE ATA Online was
subject to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Provisional Regulations. However, qualified high-and-new
technology enterprises incorporated and operated in high-and-new technology development zones
designated by the State Council might enjoy a reduced enterprise income tax rate of 15%. As a
high-and-new technology enterprise incorporated in the Beijing High-Tech Development Experimental
Zone, which was a designated high-and-new technology development zone, each of ATA Testing, ATA
Learning and ATA Online was entitled to a preferential-enterprise income tax rate of 15%. In
addition, under the old high-and-new technology regime, ATA Learning was entitled to income tax
exemption during the three years from 2003 through 2005, and a 50% reduction of income tax during
the subsequent three years from calendar years 2006 through 2008, and ATA Online was entitled to an
enterprise income tax exemption for calendar years 2007, 2008 and 2009, and a 50% reduction of
income tax rate during the subsequent three years from calendar years 2010 through 2012.
63
Effective from January 1, 2008, the New EIT Law imposes a tax rate of 25% on all enterprises,
including foreign-invested enterprises, and terminates many of the tax exemptions, reductions and
preferential treatments available under previous tax laws and regulations. However, under the New
EIT Law, enterprises that were established before March 16, 2007 and already enjoy preferential tax
treatments will continue to enjoy them (i) in the case of certain preferential tax rates that are
specified by tax legislations, for a transition period of five years from January 1, 2008 or (ii)
in the case of tax exemption or reduction for a specified term, until the expiration of such term.
Under the New EIT Law, qualified advanced-and-new technology enterprises eligible for key support
from the State (ANTE) are entitled to a preferential tax rate of 15%. In January 2009, ATA
Testing successfully obtained its ANTE certificate under the New EIT Law and new high-tech regime
and is therefore recognized as an ANTE and qualified for a preferential tax rate of 15%. As a
result, ATA Testing will continue to enjoy a preferential enterprise income tax rate of 15%. See
Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Regulation of Our BusinessThe discontinuation of any of the preferential tax
treatments currently enjoyed by our subsidiaries in the PRC could materially increase our tax
obligations.
During calendar year 2008, ATA Learning and ATA Online did not apply for the ANTE status under
the New EIT Law and new high-tech regime; in addition, they did not file any record to the
competent tax authorities based on the Notice of Beijing State Administration of Taxation on
Further Enhancing the Administration of Enterprise Income Tax Reduction/Remission (Jingguoshuifa
[2009] No.47) (Circular47). Based on further communications with the tax authorities, ATA
Learning and ATA Online are not allowed by the PRC tax authorities to enjoy the transitional
preferential tax treatment under the New EIT Law before they are re-qualified as ANTE and therefore
are subject to a 25% enterprise income tax rate starting from calendar year 2008.
Beijing JDX was established on November 5, 2002 as a domestic enterprise. It obtained Hai Guo
Shui Jian Mian (2003) No. 03779 approval for a 3 plus 3 tax holiday (three-year full income tax
exemption from 2003 to 2005 and a further 50% reduction of the Income Tax from 2006 to 2008). BJ
JDX obtained a high-and-new technology enterprise status on December 6, 2006 and was granted a
preferential EIT rate of 15%. However, BJ JDX did not qualify as an ANTE during calendar year 2008
under the New EIT Law and it is not allowed by the PRC tax authorities to enjoy the transitional
preferential tax treatment under the New EIT Law before they are re-qualified as ANTE and therefore
the applicable EIT rate for BJ JDX for calendar year 2008 and subsequent calendar years is 25%.
In addition, under the New EIT Law, an enterprise established under the laws of a foreign
country or region whose de facto management body is located within the PRC territory is
considered a resident enterprise and will generally be subject to the enterprise income tax at the
rate of 25% on its global income. According to the Implementation Rules, de facto management body
refers to a managing body that exercises, in substance, overall management and control over the
production and business, personnel, accounting and assets of an enterprises. We have preliminarily
determined that our overseas entities are not a PRC resident enterprise. However, if we were
considered a PRC resident enterprise, we would be subject to the enterprise income tax at the rate
of 25% on our global income. See Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Regulation of Our BusinessUnder the New EIT Law,
we may be classified as a resident enterprise of China. Such classification will likely result in
unfavorable tax consequences to us and U.S. holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares, and Item 10.
Additional Information E. Taxation Peoples Republic of China Taxation.
In addition, the New EIT Law and the Implementation Rules provide that a withholding tax of
10% (or other applicable withholding tax rates based on tax treaties between the PRC and other
jurisdictions) will generally be applicable to dividends payable to foreign investors, and, unlike
the prior tax law, does not specifically exempt corporations that pay dividends from withholding
all or part of such income tax when they pay dividends to their foreign investors. To the extent we
are not considered as a PRC resident enterprise, the dividends our PRC subsidiary pays to us will
be subject to this withholding tax. See Item 3. Key InformationD. Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Regulation of Our BusinessUnder the New EIT
Law, we may be classified as a resident enterprise of China. Such classification will likely
result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and U.S. holders of our ADSs or ordinary shares. The
10% withholding tax rate can be further reduced based on the tax arrangement/tax treaty between
China and the other respective jurisdiction. The undistributed earnings generated before January 1,
2008 shall be exempted from withholding tax when such earnings are distributed to the foreign
investor in the year 2008 or thereafter. As of
64
March 31, 2009, we have not provided for income
taxes on accumulated earnings of RMB19.8 million ($2.9 million) generated by its PRC consolidated entities since
January 1, 2008 as we planned to indefinitely reinvest these earnings in the PRC. As of March 31,
2009, the unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to these
earnings was RMB2.0 million ($0.3 million).
Under applicable Chinese tax laws, foreign-invested enterprises and domestic Chinese companies
may carry forward tax losses up to five years. As a result of accumulated tax losses by our PRC
subsidiaries and our affiliated PRC entity, as of March 31, 2009, we had RMB7.0 million ($1.0
million) in tax gross loss carryforwards that could be used to offset taxable income in future tax
years.
Value-Added Tax Refunds. Pursuant to a PRC tax policy intended to encourage the development
of software and integrated circuit industries, ATA Testing and Beijing JDX are entitled to a refund
of value-added tax paid at a rate of 14% of the sale value of some of our software products. ATA
Testing ATA Learning and Beijing JDX are also subject to value added tax at a rate ranging from 3%
to 17%.
Business Tax. ATA Testing, ATA Learning, ATA Online, ATA Wuxi and Beijing JDX are subject to
business tax at a rate of 5%. We pay business tax on gross revenues generated from service and
license fees in China at a rate of 5%. This business tax is included as a reduction of revenue in
our consolidated statements of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires
us to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets and
liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities on the date of each set of
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each
financial reporting period. We continually evaluate these estimates and assumptions based on the
most recently available information, our own historical experience and various other assumptions
that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Since the use of estimates is an integral
component of the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates as a
result of changes in our estimates or changes in the facts or circumstances underlying our
estimates and assumptions.
An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be
made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time such estimate is
made, and if different accounting estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the
accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the
consolidated financial statements. Some of our accounting policies require higher degrees of
judgment than others in their application. We consider the policies discussed below to be critical
to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements as their application places the most
significant demands on our managements judgment. When reviewing our consolidated financial
statements, you should take into account:
|
|
|
our critical accounting policies discussed below; |
|
|
|
|
the related judgments made by us and other uncertainties affecting the application
of these policies; |
|
|
|
|
the sensitivity of our reported results to changes in prevailing facts and
circumstances and our related estimates and assumptions; and |
|
|
|
|
the risks and uncertainties described under Item 3.D. Key Information Risk
Factors. |
See note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements for additional information
regarding our significant accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
Critical determinations made in connection with our revenue recognition policies are set forth
below.
65
Determination of applicability of VSOE. In determining our revenue recognition model for
license fees from educational institutions, we have concluded, based on our past experience with
our educational institution clients and our anticipated service model, that vendor specific
objective evidence, or VSOE, does not exist for the post-contract services, or PCS, and other
services provided in the degree major and single course programs, which are the only undelivered
elements subsequent to the beginning of the programs. If the licensing and service arrangements
with schools change from our current model to such where significant evidence for VSOE does exist
for the PCS and services provided then we may no longer recognize revenue from educational
institutions ratably over the service period on a straight-line basis. In such a case, we may
instead recognize revenue on a relative fair value basis.
Recognition of NTET Tutorial Platform Software sales. In the fiscal year ended March 31,
2007, revenue for NTET Tutorial Platform Software was recognized on a cash basis since our ability
to collect such revenue was not reasonably assured. Based on our experience accumulated in the
fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, we believe that we are reasonably assured of collecting
the revenue for NTET Tutorial Platform Software. Our NTET Tutorial Platform Software revenue is
recognized upon delivery and when we are reasonably assured of collecting such revenue.
Bad Debt Allownce
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers financial conditions and generally do
not require collateral on accounts receivable.
The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable for the years
ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
1,940,422 |
|
|
|
2,440,151 |
|
|
|
623,993 |
|
|
|
91,322 |
|
Additions charged to bad debt expense |
|
|
499,729 |
|
|
|
1,655,412 |
|
|
|
6,531,940 |
|
|
|
955,954 |
|
Write-off of accounts receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,471,570 |
) |
|
|
(3,956,973 |
) |
|
|
(579,106 |
) |
Ending allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
2,440,151 |
|
|
|
623,993 |
|
|
|
3,198,960 |
|
|
|
468,170 |
|
The increase in our estimate of doubtful accounts pertains primarily to our test-based education services as some schools have
declined to pay for previously provided services after their relationship with us terminated, and also a
provision of RMB3.3 million pertaining to an advance payment to a third party pursuant to a
2005 business cooperation arrangement that has been terminated.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired are initially recognized and measured at fair value and are amortized on
a straight-line basis over their respective estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 12 years.
We have no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. As of March 31, 2009, our intangible
assets consisted of Beijing JDX and JDX BVI related testing service technology and customer
relationships .. The determination of the fair value of the intangible assets acquired involves
certain judgments and estimates. These judgments can include, but are not limited to, the cash
flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future. A change in the amount allocated to
identifiable intangible assets would change the amount of amortization expense recognized related
to those identifiable intangible assets. The fair values of our identifiable intangible assets were
determined by management with the assistance of independent appraisers.
In estimating the fair value of the acquired testing related technology, the cost approach was
utilized. Incorporated in the cost approach is the economic principle of substitution that states:
an informed purchaser would pay no more for a property than the cost of purchasing or producing a
substitute property with the same utility as the appraised property. We estimated the number of
man-hours required to recreate the technology, which was multiplied by estimated hourly cost, to
determine the replacement cost new for the acquired technology. The estimated man-hour to recreate
was based on a review of the man-hours incurred when the respective technology was originally
created and our estimation of the effort required to recreate the software today. The development
cost per hour figure represents the average hourly rate that would be paid to develop each software
system today. After calculating replacement cost new, a depreciation factor of 50% was applied to
the technological replacement cost new to arrive at the fair value. The depreciation factor was
based on the estimate of the frequency of significant changes to the technology, which was also
used to estimate the remaining useful life of the technology.
The fair value of the customer relationships was estimated based on the excess cash flow method, a
form of the income approach. The principle behind the excess cash flow method, through the use of a
discounted cash flow, is that the value of an intangible asset is equal to the present value of the
cash flow attributable only to that intangible asset. The excess cash flow method provides an
estimate of the fair value of an intangible asset by deducting operating expenses and economic
charges (contributory asset charges) from the revenue expected to be generated by the underlying
asset. The projected cash flows are then discounted to their present value equivalent. The value of
the tax amortization benefit is added to the sum of the present value of cash flows to arrive at
the fair value of the subject intangible assets. We analyzed revenue by customer between 2003
through 2008 for historical patterns of attrition, the nature of customer relationships and typical
customer life cycle to estimate the annual churn rate, or customer turnover rate, as 15%, which was
then used to determine the cash flow period and remaining useful life of the customer
relationships. The Capital Asset Pricing Model was adopted to determine the weighted average cost
of capital.
66
Income Taxes
We assess the likelihood that our net deferred income tax assets will be realized from future
taxable income. To the extent that we believe that it is more likely than not that some portion or
the entire amount of deferred income tax assets will not be realized, we establish a valuation
allowance. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider all available evidence,
including projected future taxable income, reversal of temporary differences, tax planning
strategies, historical taxable income (losses), and the expiration period of the tax loss
carryforwards.
In assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets, we consider whether it is more
likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future
taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or tax
loss carryforwards are utilized. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liability,
projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
As of March 31, 2009, deferred tax asset recognized for tax loss carryforwards of Beijing JDX
amounted to RMB1.4 million ($0.2 million). These tax loss carryforwards would gradually expire in
the years from 2012 to 2014. Since it is considered more likely than not that the deferred tax
assets recognized from tax loss carry forwards of Beijing JDX may not be realized, a valuation
allowance has been provided to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets after considering the
scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities..
We concluded that ATA Onlines deferred income tax assets as of March 31, 2009 were RMB0.66
million ($0.1 million). Based on projections for future taxable income over the periods in which
the deferred income tax assets are deductible or can be utilized, we believe it is more likely than
not that we will realize the tax benefits. The amount of the deferred income tax assets considered
realizable as of March 31, 2009 could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable
income are reduced.
As of April 1, 2007 and for each of the twelve months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009,
we had no unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions. Also, we do not expect
that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase within the next twelve
months. No interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits have been accrued as of April
1, 2007 and as of March 31, 2008 and 2009.
According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is
three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or the
withholding agent. The statute of limitations is extended to five years under special circumstances
where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB100,000. In the case of transfer pricing issues,
the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax
evasion. Accordingly, the income tax returns of our PRC consolidated entities are subject to
examination by the relevant tax authorities for the calendar tax years beginning in 2004.
Share-Based Compensation to Employees
As further described in Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we have elected to
adopt the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, or SFAS
123R. Under SFAS 123R, the cost of all share-based payment transactions are recognized in our
consolidated financial statements based on their grant-date fair value over the required period,
which is generally the period from the date of grant to the date when the share compensation is no
longer contingent upon additional service from the employee, or the vesting period. When no future
services are required to be performed by the employee in exchange for an award of
67
equity
instruments, and if such award does not contain a performance or market condition, the cost of the
award (as measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instrument) is expensed on the
grant date.
The determination of fair value of equity awards such as options requires making complex and
subjective judgments about the projected financial and operating results of the subject company. It
also requires making certain assumptions relating to cost of capital, general market and
macroeconomic conditions, industry trends, comparable companies, share price volatility of the
subject company, expected lives of options and discount rates. These assumptions are inherently
uncertain. Changes in these assumptions could significantly affect the amount of employee
share-based compensation expense we recognize in our consolidated financial statements.
We determined the estimated fair value of our employees share options granted in April 2005,
December 2005, May 2006, December 2006, October 2007, January 2008 based on retrospective
valuations conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited, an independent third-party valuation
firm. In determining the per share value of our common shares for purposes of determining the fair
value of the options, we considered the guidance prescribed by the AICPA Audit and Accounting
Practice Aid Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, or
Practice Aid. Specifically, paragraph 16 of the Practice Aid sets forth the preferred types of
valuation that should be used. The fair value of our common shares was determined in a two-step
process. In the first step, the equity value of our company was determined based on a valuation
performed by Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited. Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited considered
both the market approach and income approach to arrive at the fair value of our equity value. Jones
Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited considered the market approach in the form of guideline company
method and in the context of an equity transaction with unrelated third parties in exchange for
cash consideration. Due to lack of general consistency in the guideline companies valuation
ratios, Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited did not apply any weight to the guideline company to
arrive at the fair value of our equity. In accordance with the Practice Aid, because we had an
equity transaction in March 2005 with an unrelated party in consideration for cash, we believed
this equity transaction established a reference to determine a fair value of our equity value for
option grants proximate to this transaction. Therefore, for the valuation of options granted in
April 2005, December 2005 and May 2006, which were in the 12-month proximity with the March 2005
transaction, income approach (discounted cash flow method) was used with the discount rate
referencing the recent equity transaction to arrive at the value of our equity value for these
respective grants. For option grants after May 2006, without available reference of an equity
transaction, income approach served as the method to determine our equity value. For the October
2007 grant, the fair value of the 391,800 stock options granted was determined by using the
binomial option-pricing model with an estimated fair market value of underlying shares of $5.90
(the mid-point of our estimated range of the initial public offering price in February 2008 after a
discount of 9.16% to account for inherent business risk and lack of marketability). The estimated
fair value of options granted on January 28, 2008 was determined by using the binomial
option-pricing model with an estimated fair market value of underlying shares as the IPO price. For
the July 2008 and February 2009 grants, the fair value was determined by using the binomial
option-pricing model with the fair market value at the date of grant.
For the income approach, Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited utilized a discounted cash flow
method based on our projected cash flows from 2006 through 2011, including the following factors:
|
|
|
analysis of our industry and comparable listed companies; |
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|
|
our business and future development plan which includes estimated revenue volume and
average unit price; |
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|
our historical financial results; |
|
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|
|
our projections of gross margins, earnings before income tax margin, capital
expenditures and working capital changes from 2006 through 2011; and |
|
|
|
|
appropriate discount rate to bring the projected future net cash flows available for
payment of shareholders interest to their present worth. |
Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited used a weighted average cost of capital, or WACC, of
11.68% as the discount rate to determine the enterprise value in May 2006, which was near a
12-month proximity to an equity transaction with unrelated third parties in exchange for cash
consideration. The near-term equity transaction established a fair value basis for us and an
implied discount rate of 11.68% in the transaction was resolved to reflect expectations of free
cash flows at that point of time. We believe that such discount rate represented the fair
68
value
risk perception of the unrelated investors. Our operations had not undergone major changes from the
near-term equity transaction to May 2006 and therefore the same discount rate was applied in the
May 2006 valuation. Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited used a discount rate of 16% to determine
the enterprise value of our company in December 2006. There were no equity transactions objectively
establishing our discount rate near a 12-month proximity of this issuance and the discount rate was
derived using the WACC formula.
In the second step, since our capital structure comprised a warrant, preferred shares and
common shares at the grant date, Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited allocated our equity value
between each class of equity securities using the option pricing method. The option pricing method
treats the warrant, common shares and preferred shares as call options on our companys equity
value, with exercise prices based on the warrants exercise price and liquidation preference of the
preferred shares. We determined the fair value of the options on the date of grant by using the
binomial option pricing method under the following assumptions.
|
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|
|
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|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
Expected weighted average volatility |
|
|
56 |
% |
|
|
52 |
% |
|
|
73 |
% |
Expected weighted average dividends |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suboptimal exercise factor |
|
|
2.0 |
x |
|
|
2.0 |
x |
|
|
2.0 |
x |
Weighted average risk-free interest rate (per annum) |
|
|
4.83 |
% |
|
|
3.80 |
% |
|
|
3.53 |
% |
Estimated weighted average fair value at grant date
of underlying common shares (per share) |
|
$ |
1.36 |
|
|
$ |
4.98 |
|
|
$ |
4.79 |
|
For options granted prior to January 28, 2008, because we do not have an internal market for
its shares, the expected volatility of our future common share price was based on the historical
price volatility of the common shares of comparable publicly traded training and testing services
companies operating in the United States. Since the share options, once exercised, will primarily
trade in the United States and there was no comparable PRC zero coupon rate, the risk-free rate for
periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the United States treasury yield
curve in effect at the time of grant.
We
had 3,235,468 employee share options outstanding, including 2,591,627 immediately
exercisable employee share options, as of March 31, 2009. The following table sets out information
regarding our outstanding employee share options as of March 31, 2009:
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|
|
Options outstanding as of March 31, 2009 |
|
|
Options exercisable as of March 31, 2009 |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
of Shares |
|
|
per Share |
|
|
Contractual Life |
|
|
of Shares |
|
|
per Share |
|
|
Contractual Life |
|
|
|
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,312,600 |
|
|
|
2.263 |
|
|
6.0 years |
|
|
|
1,303,188 |
|
|
|
2.263 |
|
|
6.0 years |
|
|
|
773,000 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
6.7 years |
|
|
|
628,063 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
6.7 years |
|
|
|
330,400 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.2 years |
|
|
|
240,917 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.2 years |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.7 years |
|
|
|
151,042 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.7 years |
|
|
|
382,800 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
8.5 years |
|
|
|
239,250 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
8.5 years |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
4.750 |
|
|
8.8 years |
|
|
|
29,167 |
|
|
|
4.750 |
|
|
8.8 years |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
6.315 |
|
|
9.3 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.315 |
|
|
9.3 years |
|
|
|
23,333 |
|
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
13,335 |
|
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,235,468 |
|
|
|
3.125 |
|
|
6.9 years |
|
|
|
2,591,627 |
|
|
|
2.941 |
|
|
6.6 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For our share options issued in 2007, 2008 and 2009, we used an expected volatility that
ranged from 51% to 83% and estimated fair values for our common shares that ranged from $1.14 to
$6.33 per share. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years
ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 was $0.538 (RMB3.676), $3.165 (RMB21.626) and $2.748
(RMB18.777) per share, respectively. We recorded non-cash share-based compensation expenses of
RMB2.5 million, RMB7.3 million and RMB5.2 million ($0.8 million) in the fiscal years ended March
31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. As of March 31, 2009, there were
69
RMB2.8 million of total
unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share options. These costs are expected to be
recognized over the next four years.
Changes in our estimates and assumptions regarding the expected volatility of our common
shares could significantly impact the estimated fair values of our share options determined under
the binomial valuation model and, as a result, our net earnings and the net earnings applicable to
our common shareholders.
On
February 12, 2009, 274,000 restricted shares (which are referred
to in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes as
nonvested shares per SFAS 123R) were granted to employees and officers under the
2008 Plan. Share-based compensation expense with respect to the restricted shares was measured based
on the fair value of the Companys common shares at the date of grant of USD1.995 (RMB13.63).
We
had 269,000 restricted shares outstanding, name of which were vested, as of March 31, 2009.
We
recorded non-cash share-based compensation expenses of RMB Nil, RMB
Nil and RMB0.4 million
($52,671) for the restricted shares in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009,
respectively. As of March 31, 2009, there was RMB3.3 million
($0.5 million) of total unrecognized compensation
expense related to restricted shares, which is expected to be recognized over the next 4 years.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary, for the periods indicated, of our consolidated
results of operations and each item expressed as a percentage of our total net revenues. Our
historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for any future period.
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For the fiscal year Ended March 31, |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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2009 |
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|
RMB |
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% |
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|
RMB |
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% |
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|
RMB |
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|
US$ |
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% |
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(In thousands, except for percentages and per share data) |
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Net revenues: |
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Testing services |
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|
24,628 |
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29.0 |
% |
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|
78,198 |
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|
45.4 |
% |
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|
137,046 |
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|
20,057 |
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|
63.0 |
% |
Test-based educational
services |
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|
42,804 |
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50.4 |
% |
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|
48,595 |
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28.2 |
% |
|
|
42,546 |
|
|
|
6,227 |
|
|
|
19.6 |
% |
Test preparation and
training solutions |
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|
10,076 |
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11.9 |
% |
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|
36,908 |
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|
21.5 |
% |
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|
25,071 |
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|
3,669 |
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|
11.5 |
% |
Other |
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7,373 |
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|
8.7 |
% |
|
|
8,387 |
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|
4.9 |
% |
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|
12,882 |
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|
1,885 |
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|
5.9 |
% |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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Total net revenues |
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84,881 |
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|
100.0 |
% |
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|
172,088 |
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|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
217,545 |
|
|
|
31,838 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Cost of revenues |
|
|
41,102 |
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|
|
48.4 |
% |
|
|
66,947 |
|
|
|
38.9 |
% |
|
|
92,608 |
|
|
|
13,553 |
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|
|
42.6 |
% |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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Gross profit |
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|
43,779 |
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|
|
51.6 |
% |
|
|
105,141 |
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|
|
61.1 |
% |
|
|
124,937 |
|
|
|
18,285 |
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|
|
57.4 |
% |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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|
|
|
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|
For the fiscal year Ended March 31, |
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|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
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|
US$ |
|
|
% |
|
Operating expenses: |
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Research and development |
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9,322 |
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|
11.0 |
% |
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|
12,882 |
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7.5 |
% |
|
|
16,241 |
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|
|
2,377 |
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|
7.5 |
% |
Sales and marketing |
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|
22,029 |
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|
26.0 |
% |
|
|
28,805 |
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|
|
16.7 |
% |
|
|
24,922 |
|
|
|
3,647 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
% |
General and
administrative |
|
|
32,024 |
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|
37.7 |
% |
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|
40,026 |
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|
|
23.3 |
% |
|
|
57,386 |
|
|
|
8,399 |
|
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|
26.3 |
% |
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|
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Total operating expenses |
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|
63,375 |
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|
|
74.7 |
% |
|
|
81,713 |
|
|
|
47.5 |
% |
|
|
98,549 |
|
|
|
14,423 |
|
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|
45.3 |
% |
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|
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70
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|
For the fiscal year Ended March 31, |
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|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
|
% |
|
(Loss) income from
operations |
|
|
(19,596 |
) |
|
|
(23.1 |
%) |
|
|
23,428 |
|
|
|
13.6 |
% |
|
|
26,388 |
|
|
|
3,862 |
|
|
|
12.1 |
% |
Equity in net losses of
affiliates |
|
|
(187 |
) |
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|
(0.2 |
%) |
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Gain from sale of an
affiliate |
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2,837 |
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1.6 |
% |
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Gain from liquidation
of an affiliate |
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|
1,509 |
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|
1.8 |
% |
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|
988 |
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|
0.6 |
% |
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|
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|
|
|
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|
|
Interest income |
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|
600 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
474 |
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|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
395 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
% |
Interest expense |
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|
Subsidy income |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
% |
Foreign currency
exchange losses, net |
|
|
(909 |
) |
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|
(1.1 |
%) |
|
|
(236 |
) |
|
|
(0.1 |
%) |
|
|
665 |
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Losses) earnings
before income tax |
|
|
(18,583 |
) |
|
|
(21.9 |
%) |
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|
27,491 |
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|
16.0 |
% |
|
|
29,448 |
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|
|
4,309 |
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|
13.5 |
% |
|
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|
Income tax benefit
(expense) |
|
|
1,793 |
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|
2.1 |
% |
|
|
(7,321 |
) |
|
|
(4.3 |
%) |
|
|
(6,638 |
) |
|
|
(971 |
) |
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|
(3.0 |
%) |
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|
Net (loss) income |
|
|
(16,790 |
) |
|
|
(19.8 |
%) |
|
|
20,170 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
% |
|
|
22,810 |
|
|
|
3,338 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
% |
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|
Net (loss) income
(applicable) available
to common shareholders |
|
|
(16,790 |
) |
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|
|
|
|
|
20,170 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,810 |
|
|
|
3,338 |
|
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|
For the fiscal year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
Basic (Loss) earnings per
common share |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|
0.79 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
Diluted (Loss) earnings per
common share |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|
0.53 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008
Net Revenues
Our total net revenues increased by RMB45.4 million, or 26.4%, to RMB217.5 million ($31.8
million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB172.1 million in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2008, primarily as a result of increases in revenues from our testing services.
Testing services. Testing services revenues increased by RMB58.8 million, or 75.2% to
RMB137.0 million ($20.1 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB78.2 million in
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. This increase was primarily driven by test delivery revenues,
which increased by RMB58.6 million, or 76.2%, to RMB135.5 million ($19.9 million) in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB76.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The total
number of tests delivered, which affects our testing services revenues, increased to 5,063,379 in
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from 3,632,285 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Our
average revenue per test delivered also increased to RMB27.1 ($3.9) in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2009 from RMB21.5 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. This increase in both the average
revenue per test and the number of tests delivered was due, in part, to a significant increase in
the number of finance industry-related tests delivered, which tests also have a relatively high
revenue per test. Although the global financial crisis affected the overall Chinese economy in the
second half of calendar year 2008 through the first half of calendar year 2009, we did not
experience declines in our testing services attributable to the crisis. Our net revenues from
testing services provided to the China Banking Association, the Securities Association of China and
the China Futures Association grew to an aggregate of RMB108.9 million ($16.0 million) in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB55.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The
number of tests delivered for these three clients increased to 2.4 million in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2009 from 1.1 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. We expect growth from
testing services revenues to continue to increase,
71
driven significantly by increases in the volume
of finance industry-related tests and the introduction of new test titles for the finance industry
and other clients.
Test-based educational services. Revenues from test-based educational services decreased by
RMB6.1 million, or 12.6%, to RMB42.5 million ($6.2 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009
from RMB48.6 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Degree major course program revenues
decreased RMB5.0 million, or 13.7%, to RMB31.5 million ($4.6 million) in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2009 from RMB36.5 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. We experienced a
decrease of 20.0% in the number of student-months for degree major course programs to 0.4 million
in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from 0.5 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008,
while the effective average price of our Degree programs increased by 11.3% to RMB89 ($13.0) in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB80 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The decrease
in the degree major student-months was due primarily to a decreasing number of new enrolling
students and an increasing number of students graduating from our existing degree major course
programs not being fully offset by new student intake into the programs. Single course program
revenues decreased to RMB4.6 million ($0.7 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from
RMB9.4 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The number of single course student-months
decreased 47.0% to 98,656 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from 185,984 in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2008, while the average price per student-month of our single course programs
increased by 71.4% to RMB72 from RMB42 during the same period. Pre-occupational training program
revenues increased by RMB0.9 million, or 33.3%, to RMB3.6 million ($0.5 million) in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2009 from RMB2.7 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 as a result of an
increase in the number of students participating in these programs. We expect revenues from our
test-based education services to continue to decline. Since December 2008, we have redirected most
of our sales and marketing efforts from our test-based education services towards our newly
developed testing services such as HR Select and TOEIC where we believe there is greater market
opportunity.
Test preparation and training solutions. Our revenues from test preparation and training
solutions decreased to RMB25.1 million ($3.7 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from
RMB36.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, primarily as a result of decreases in the
sales of our NTET Tutorial Platform. Sales of our NTET Tutorial Platform decreased by RMB15.7
million, or 49.4%, to RMB16.1 million ($2.4 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from
RMB31.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 due to lower approved budgets by relevant
governmental agencies for procuring this software as the deadline for the national NTET test has
been deferred. As of March 31, 2009, we had accounts receivable aged over one year of RMB8,621,730
from sales of NTET Tutorial Platform software, which we expect to collect during fiscal year 2010.
Revenues from our online test preparation services for finance industry-related tests increased by
RMB3.9 million, or 76.5%, to RMB9.0 million ($1.3 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009
from RMB5.1 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. We expect our online test preparation
services revenues to increase as increasing numbers of banking and securities industry
professionals and test takers use our online services to prepare for their licensure tests or to
satisfy their continuous professional training requirements as required by industry rules.
Other revenues. Other revenues increased by RMB4.5 million, or 53.6%, to RMB12.9 million ($1.9
million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB8.4 million in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2008, primarily due to an increase in revenues from ancillary test services.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit increased by RMB19.8 million to RMB124.9 million ($18.3 million) in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB105.1 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
Our gross margin decreased to 57.4% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from 61.1% in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. The decrease in our gross margin was primarily due to the
decrease in revenues from higher gross margin NTET sales.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses increased by RMB16.8 million, or 20.6%, to RMB98.5 million ($14.4
million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB81.7 million in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2008.
72
General and administrative expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by
RMB17.4 million, or 43.5%, to RMB57.4 million ($8.4 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2009 from RMB40.0 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Bad debt expenses increased by
RMB8.1 million, or 493.8%, to 9.8 million ($1.4 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009,
from RMB1.7 million in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2008, primarily relating to our test-based education services as some schools have declined to pay for
previously provided services after their relationship with us terminated, and a provision of
RMB3.3 million pertaining to an advance payment to a third party pursuant to a 2005 business
cooperation arrangement that has been terminated. Salaries and compensation expenses increased by
RMB4.6 million, or 36.5%, to RMB17.2 million ($2.5 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2009, from RMB12.6 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the expansion
of the management team. Professional services expenses increased by RMB6.1 million, or 53.0%, to
RMB17.6 million ($2.6 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB11.5 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, mainly due to incremental expenses related to maintaining
compliance as a public company. Our general and administrative expenses were offset by a rebate of
RMB2.9 million ($0.4 million) from Citibank N.A., our depositary, for proceeds related to the
administration of ADRs.
Sales and marketing expenses. Our sales and marketing expenses decreased by RMB3.9 million,
or 13.5%, to RMB24.9 million ($3.6 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from RMB28.8
million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of
our total net revenues decreased to 11.5% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from 16.7% in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily related to a decrease in our expenses
on business development activities for test-based educational services. We expect that our sales
and marketing expenses will increase in the near term as we increase our incentive pay to our sales
team, increase our sales efforts, hire additional sales personnel and initiate additional marketing
programs to grow our HR Select and TOEIC testing services.
Research and development expenses. Our research and development expenses increased by RMB3.3
million, or 25.6%, to RMB16.2 million ($2.4 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 from
RMB12.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. This increase was due primarily to
increases in costs related to development of our new HR Select, TOEIC and Cambridge ESOL Young
Learners English service offerings.
Interest Income
Our interest income was RMB0.4 million ($57,824) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 and
RMB0.5 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Our interest income was slightly lower in
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 because of changes in relevant interest rates on deposits.
Subsidy Income
Our subsidy income of RMB2.0 million ($292,701) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 is
a refund from the local government where ATA Testing has its registered address, as it
has a practice of rewarding local companies that successfully list shares on overseas stock markets.
Foreign Currency Exchange Benefit (Losses), Net
Our net foreign currency exchange results improved and resulted in a net gain of RMB0.7
million ($97,405) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, compared with a net loss of RMB0.2
million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to the effects of appreciation of
the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar in relation to a U.S. dollar loan made from ATA BVI to ATA
Learning.
Income Tax Expense
We
had income tax expense of RMB6.6 million ($1.0 million) in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2009, compared to RMB7.3 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Our effective tax rate
decreased from 26.6% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 to 22.5% in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2009, mainly due to an incentive, which was not in effect for the previous fiscal year,
of the local tax authority to encourage research and development where research and development
expenses are deductible at a higher amount than actual booked expenses, and through which we had an
additional deduction for research and development activities in the amount of RMB6.1million ($0.9
million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
73
Net Income
As a result of the above factors, we had net income of RMB22.8 million ($3.3 million) in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 compared to RMB20.2 million in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2008.
Our basic earnings per common share were RMB0.79 and RMB0.50 ($0.07) in the fiscal years ended
March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our diluted earnings per common share were RMB0.53 and
RMB0.49 ($0.07) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The Companys
dilutive common equivalent shares in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2009 consisted of
2,062,324 and 1,027,986 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding share options and
restricted shares, respectively (using the treasury stock method), 481,125 and 27,524 common shares
issuable upon exercise of warrants, respectively (using the treasury stock method), and 9,775,462
and nil common shares issuable upon the conversion of the convertible preferred shares,
respectively (using the as-converted method).
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2007
Net Revenues
Our total net revenues increased by RMB87.2 million, or 102.7%, to RMB172.1 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB84.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007,
primarily as a result of increases in revenues from our testing services and significant sales of
our test preparation and training solutions.
Testing services. Testing services revenues increased by RMB53.6 million, or 217.5%, to
RMB78.2 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB24.6 million in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2007. This increase was primarily driven by test delivery revenue, which increased
by RMB53.5 million, or 229.2%, to RMB76.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from
RMB23.4 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. The total number of tests delivered, which
affects our testing services revenue, increased to 3,632,285 in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2008 from 3,335,701 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Our average revenue per test delivered
also increased to RMB21.5 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB7.0 in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2007. This increase in both the average revenue per test and the number of tests
delivered was due, in part, to a significant increase in the number of finance industry-related
tests delivered, which tests also have a higher than average revenue per test.
Test-based educational services. Revenues from test-based educational services increased by
RMB5.8 million, or 13.5%, to RMB48.6 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB42.8
million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. This increase was driven by increases in revenues
from single course programs and pre-occupational training programs. Single course program revenue
increased RMB3.7 million, or 64.3%, to RMB9.4 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from
RMB5.7 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. We experienced an increase of 39.2% in the
number of student-months for single course programs to 185,984 in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2008 from 133,562 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, while the effective average price of our
single course programs decreased by 1.2% to RMB42 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from
RMB43 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Pre-occupational training program revenues increased
to RMB2.7 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB1.1 million in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2007 as a result of an increase in the number of students participating in these
programs. Degree major course program revenues increased by RMB0.5 million, or 1.3%, to RMB36.5
million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB36.0 million in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2007. The number of degree major student-months decreased 1.7% to 457,836 in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2008 from 465,856 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, while the average price
per student-month of our degree major course programs increased by 3.1% to RMB80 from RMB77 during
the same periods. The decrease in the degree major student-months was due primarily to an
increasing number of students graduating from our existing degree major course programs not being
fully offset by new student intake into the programs.
Test preparation and training solutions. Our revenues from test preparation and training
solutions increased to RMB36.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB10.1 million
in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, primarily as a result of rapid increases in the sales of
our NTET Tutorial Platform and our online test preparation services. Sales of our NTET Tutorial
Platform contributed RMB31.8 million, or 86.1%, of our test preparation and training solutions
revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Revenues from our
74
online test preparation
services for finance industry-related tests accounted for majority of the remainder of our test
preparation and training solutions revenue in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
Other. Other revenue increased by RMB1.0 million, or 13.8%, to RMB8.4million in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB7.4 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, primarily
due to an increase in revenues from ancillary test services.
Gross Profit
Our gross profit increased by RMB61.4 million to RMB105.1 million in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2008 from RMB43.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Our gross margin
increased to 61.1% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from 51.6% in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2007. This increase in our gross margin was principally due to the significantly higher
gross margins of our NTET Tutorial Platform and ATA Onlines online test preparation and training
solutions, both of which were introduced in November 2006 and have a much lower cost structure
relative to our testing services and test-based educational services. Offsetting this was an
increase in our test monitoring costs, due principally to higher monitoring costs related to the
initial national banker licensure tests that we delivered.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses increased by RMB18.3 million, or 28.9%, to RMB81.7 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB63.4 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007,
primarily resulting from a substantial increase in our general and administrative expenses. In
connection with our grant of share options to certain employees in October 2007 and share options
to two independent directors in January 2008, we expect to incur operating expenses of RMB9.7
million ($1.4 million) and RMB1.9 million over the vesting schedule of the options. Twenty-five
percent of the October 2007 options granted vest on January 1, 2008, while the remaining 75% vest
ratably at the end of each month over the following 30-month period. Twenty-five percent of the
January 2008 options granted vested on January 28, 2009, while the remaining 75% vest ratably at
the end of each month over the following 36-month period. The share-based compensation expenses
were RMB2.5 million and RMB7.3 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 and 2008,
respectively
Research and development expenses. Our research and development expenses increased by RMB3.6
million, or 38.2%, to RMB12.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB9.3 million
in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. This increase was due primarily to increases in
outsourcing service fee, salaries and other compensation expenses relating to our research and
development professionals. Research and development expenses as a percentage of our total net
revenues decreased significantly during this period.
Sales and marketing expenses. Our sales and marketing expenses increased by RMB6.8 million, or
30.8%, to RMB28.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB22.0 million in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of our total net
revenues decreased to 16.7% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from 26.0% in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2007. This percentage decrease was primarily related to our increase in revenues
from testing services and test preparation and training solutions, as business development
activities for testing services and test preparation and training solutions require less sales and
marketing outlays compared to business development activities for test-based educational services.
General and administrative expenses. Our general and administrative expenses increased by
RMB8.0 million, or 25.0%, to RMB40.0 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from RMB32.0
million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. This increase was primarily due to an increase of
RMB2.6 million in share-based compensation and an increase of RMB2.2 million related to an increase
in employees salaries and bonuses. Although our general and administrative expenses increased
significantly over this period, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of our total
net revenues decreased to 23.3% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 from 37.7% in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2007.
Equity in Net Loss of an Affiliate
We did not have any equity in loss of affiliates in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008,
compared with loss in affiliates of RMB0.2 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, all of
which derived from our 40% equity interest in Wendu Education, which was sold during the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2008.
75
Gain from Sale of an Affiliate
We sold 100% of our equity interest in Wendu Education during the fiscal year ended March 31,
2008 and recognized RMB2.8 million in income in relation to the sale.
Gain from Liquidation of an Affiliate
We recognized a gain in relation to proceeds received upon completion of the liquidation of
ATA Jiangsu of RMB1.0 million and RMB1.5 million in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
Interest Income
Our interest income was RMB0.5 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 and RMB0.6
million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Our interest
income declined slightly in the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 because of lower deposit
interest rates.
Foreign Currency Exchange Losses, Net
Our net foreign currency exchange losses decreased to RMB0.2 million in the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2008 from RMB0.9 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 primarily due to the
change of ATA Inc. and ATA BVIs functional currency to U.S. dollars effectively from February 2,
2008 due to the significant changes in ATA Inc.s and ATA BVIs economic facts and circumstances.
The completion of our initial public offering resulted in our cash flows being denominated in U.S.
dollars. Effective from February 2, 2008, assets and liabilities of ATA Inc. and ATA BVI are
translated into RMB using the applicable exchange rate at each balance sheet date. Revenues, if
any, and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during the year. The gains and losses
from such translations are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive
income or loss within shareholders equity. If the functional currency for ATA Inc. and ATA BVI
had not been changed, the foreign currency exchange losses would be RMB8.2 million in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2008.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
We had an income tax expense of RMB7.3 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008,
compared with an income tax benefit of RMB1.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. The
increase in income tax expenses was mainly because we had a profit before income tax in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2008 compared to a loss before income tax in the fiscal year ended March 31,
2007. Our effective tax rate increased from 9.6% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 to 26.6%
in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, mainly due to the impact from non-tax-deductible expenses,
which decreases our income tax benefit in periods we incurred losses and increases our income tax
expenses in periods we recognize profit. Change in valuation allowance for deferred income tax
assets also contributed to the increase in effective tax rate.
The tax holiday decreased the actual income tax benefit by RMB155,072 and decreased the actual
income tax expense by RMB823,254 in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively.
The effect of the tax holiday on basic earnings (loss) per common share in the fiscal years ended
March 31, 2007 and 2008 were RMB(0.01) and RMB0.03, respectively. The effect on diluted earnings
(loss) per common share of the tax holiday in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2008 were
RMB(0.01) and RMB0.02, respectively.
Net (Loss) Income
As a result of the above factors, we had net income of RMB20.2 million in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2008 as compared to a net loss of RMB16.8 million in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2007.
The basic (loss) earnings per common share were RMB(0.82) and RMB0.79 in the fiscal years
ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The diluted (loss) earnings per common share were
RMB(0.82) and RMB0.53 in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The
Companys dilutive common equivalent shares in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007 and 2008
consisted of 920,119 and 2,062,324 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding share
options, respectively (using the treasury stock method), 1,143,994 and 481,125 common shares
issuable upon exercise of warrants, respectively (using the treasury stock method), and 11,655,493
and 9,775,462 common shares issuable upon the conversion of the convertible preferred
76
shares,
respectively (using the as-converted method). These potentially dilutive securities were not
included in the calculation of dilutive loss per share for the period ended March 31, 2007 due to
their anti-dilutive effect.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have financed our working capital and capital expenditure requirements
primarily through debt financing and more recently through the sale of our equity securities. On
February 1, 2008, we completed our initial public offering and received proceeds of RMB298.3
million, net of related offering expenses.
As of March 31, 2009, we had RMB310.5 million ($45.4 million) in cash. Our cash was primarily
deposited with reputable banks in China and Hong Kong. We intend to finance our future additional
working capital and capital expenditure needs from cash flows provided by operating activities.
The following table summarizes our net cash flows with respect to operating activities,
investing activities and financing activities in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and
2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities |
|
|
(16,524 |
) |
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
31,538 |
|
|
|
4,615 |
|
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities |
|
|
1,052 |
|
|
|
(5,107 |
) |
|
|
(35,053 |
) |
|
|
(5,130 |
) |
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities |
|
|
16,030 |
|
|
|
299,286 |
|
|
|
(10,640 |
) |
|
|
(1,557 |
) |
Effect of foreign exchange
rate changes on cash |
|
|
(163 |
) |
|
|
(7,306 |
) |
|
|
(7,539 |
) |
|
|
(1,103 |
) |
Net (decrease) increase in cash |
|
|
395 |
|
|
|
287,178 |
|
|
|
(21,694 |
) |
|
|
(3,175 |
) |
Cash at beginning of year |
|
|
44,624 |
|
|
|
45,019 |
|
|
|
332,197 |
|
|
|
48,617 |
|
Cash at end of year |
|
|
45,019 |
|
|
|
332,197 |
|
|
|
310,503 |
|
|
|
45,442 |
|
2009
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB31.5million ($4.6 million) in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2009 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of RMB0.3 million ($0.04
million) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, we
experienced a significant increase in cash collected from our testing services and test preparation
and training solutions, including RMB59.8 million cash collected from test takers in relation to
tests delivered for the China Banking Association, including an advance received for tests taken in
May and June, 2009. Our current testing services and test preparation and training solutions
clients generally have a shorter accounts receivable cycle than our test-based educational services
clients. Partially offsetting this increased cash inflow was an increase in cash paid for income
taxes of RMB4.6 million ($0.7 million) primarly due to the increased taxable incomes, and there
was an increase in cash expenditures on test monitoring costs and other operating expenses
primarily due to the increased number of the tests delivered and development and marketing efforts
for TOEIC, HR select and Cambridge ESOL Young Learners English services.
Net cash used in investing activities in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 of
RMB35.1million ($5.1 million) was primarily attributable to the RMB20.5million ($3.0 million)
upfront royalty fee paid to ETS and RMB14.2 million spent on software and capital equipment,
including computers and servers.
Net cash used in financing activities in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 was RMB10.6
million ($1.6 million), primarily attributable to RMB10.1 million ($1.5 million) used to repurchase
our common share in the open market, offset by proceeds of RMB1.0 million ($0.15 million) from
exercise of warrants.
We believe that our current cash and expected future cash flows from operating activities,
particularly from testing services and test preparation and training solutions, is sufficient to
meet our present working capital requirements. Our current expansion plans do not require
significant capital commitments. We do not expect our short-term and long-term cash requirements to
be materially different.
77
Nevertheless, we may require additional sources of liquidity in the event of changes in
business conditions or other future developments. Factors affecting our sources of liquidity
include our sales performance and changes in working capital. Any changes in the significant
factors affecting our revenues from testing services, test-based educational services and test
preparation and training solutions may cause material fluctuations in our cash generated from
operations. See Net Revenues for a description of these significant factors. Changes in working
capital, including any significant shortening or lengthening of our accounts receivable cycle or
client prepayment cycles, may also cause fluctuations in our cash generated from operations. If our
sources of liquidity are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to sell
additional equity or debt securities to meet our cash needs. The sale of convertible debt
securities or additional equity securities could result in dilution to our shareholders. The
incurrence of indebtedness would result in debt service obligations and could result in operating
and financial covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure you that financing
will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. For a discussion of the
limitations on the ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends to us, see Item 8.A,
Financial Information Dividend Policy.
From time to time, we evaluate possible investments, acquisitions or divestments and may, if a
suitable opportunity arises, make an investment or acquisition or conduct a divestment. We
generally deposit our excess cash in interest-bearing bank accounts located at banks in China and
Hong Kong.
2007 and 2008
Net cash provided by operating activities was RMB0.3 million in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2008 compared to net cash used in operating activities of RMB16.5 million in the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2007. Our current testing services and test preparation and training solutions
clients generally have a shorter accounts receivable cycle than our test-based educational services
clients. Offsetting this cash inflow were cash expenditures on test monitoring costs, license fees
paid to IT vendors and other operating expenses.
Net cash provided by investing activities was RMB1.1 million in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2007 and was affected principally by the deposit of RMB2.0 million received from the sale of
Wendu Education, and RMB5.1 million received from the collection of loans and advances to
shareholders and management in connection with a new policy implemented by us to eliminate personal
loans and minimize operations-related loans and advances available to shareholders and management.
Offsetting these cash increases was a capital expenditure of RMB4.7 million mainly used to purchase
computers and servers to support our new business initiatives such as online test preparation
services. Net cash provided by investing activities in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 of
RMB5.1 million was primarily attributable to the proceeds from disposal of our interest in Wendu
Education and from the liquidation of ATA Jiangsu, offset by RMB5.7 million spent on capital
equipment, including computers and servers, and by RMB4.4 million paid as the deposit pursuant to
the acquisition agreement for Beijing JDX and JDX BVI.
Net cash provided by financing activities was RMB16.0 million in the fiscal year ended March
31, 2007. This was primarily attributable to the cash proceeds from the exercise of a warrant held
by SB Asia Investment Fund II L.P. to purchase preferred shares for RMB24.0 million. Offsetting
these proceeds was RMB8.0 million paid in connection with preparations for our initial public
offering incurred in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Net cash provided by financing
activities in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 was RMB298.3 million ($42.5 million), primarily
attributable to the proceeds of RMB317.6 million raised from our initial public offering, offset
by RMB19.3 million cash paid in connection with the preparation for our initial public offering.
Capital Expenditures
The following table sets forth our historical capital expenditures for the periods indicated.
Actual future capital expenditures may differ from the amounts indicated below.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
RMB |
|
RMB |
|
|
US$ |
|
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Total capital expenditures |
|
|
4,721 |
|
|
|
5,723 |
|
|
|
34,688 |
|
|
|
5,077 |
|
78
In the past, our capital expenditures were made primarily for the purchase of software,
computer equipment and servers. Our capital expenditures in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010
are expected to be higher than in the past due to purchases of office space. On August 7, 2008, we
entered into agreements to purchase our Beijing office space for total cash consideration of
RMB51.5 million. On August 12, 2008, RMB0.4 million was paid to the seller as a deposit, and the
remainder of the consideration was paid on July 2009 to the sellers.
In March 2009, ATA signed an agreement of cooperation with ETS pursuant to which ATA will be
the exclusive agent for ETSs TOEIC exam in China for ten years from March 2009. We paid ETS a
$3 million upfront royalty fee in March 2009, which will be amortized over the ten year contract
period.
Foreign Currency Exchange
We maintain our accounts in Renminbi, Hong Kong dollars and U.S. dollars. Through February 1,
2008, ATA Inc. and ATA BVIs functional currency was RMB. Effective February 2, 2008, ATA Inc. and
ATA BVI changed their functional currency to U.S. dollars due to the significant changes in ATA
Inc.s and ATA BVIs economic facts and circumstances. Our PRC subsidiaries and variable interest
entitys functional currency is Renminbi. The non-Renminbi portion of our revenues have primarily
consisted of U.S. dollar-denominated licensing fees and royalty payments, while the non-Renminbi
portion of our expenditures have primarily consisted of professional fees, both denominated in U.S.
dollars, as well as certain Hong Kong dollar-denominated general and administrative expenses. As
of March 31, 2009, we had RMB311.0 million
(US$45.5 million) in cash, including RMB243.0 million
(US$35.6 million) bank balance held in U.S. dollar-denominated accounts with banks in Hong Kong.
Fluctuations in exchange rates, primarily those involving the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi, may
affect our costs and operating margins and our reported operating results. Under the current
foreign exchange system in China, our operations in China may not be able to hedge effectively
against currency risk, including any possible future Renminbi devaluation. See Item 3.D. Key
Information Risk Factors Risks Relating to the Peoples Republic of China Fluctuations in
exchange rates could result in foreign currency exchange losses.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, a revision of SFAS No. 141, Business
Combinations (SFAS No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R establishes requirements for the recognition and
measurement of acquired assets, liabilities, goodwill, and non-controlling interests (formerly
minority interests). SFAS No. 141R also provides disclosure requirements related to business
combinations. SFAS No. 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. SFAS
No. 141R will be applied prospectively to business combinations with an acquisition date on or
after the effective date.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS No. 160). SFAS No. 160 establishes new
standards for the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests and for the loss of
control of partially owned and consolidated subsidiaries. SFAS No. 160 does not change the criteria
for consolidating a partially owned entity. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008. The provisions of SFAS No. 160 will be applied prospectively upon adoption
except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which will be applied retrospectively.
SFAS No. 160 states that accounting and reporting for minority interests will be recharacterized as
non-controlling interests and classified as a component of equity. The calculation of earnings per
share will continue to be based on income amounts attributable to the parent. SFAS No. 160 applies
to all entities that prepare consolidated financial statements, except for not-for-profit
organizations, but will affect only those entities that have an outstanding non-controlling
interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. Management does not expect
the initial adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a material impact on the Companys consolidated
financial statements.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FSP 142-3, Determination of the Useful
Life of Intangible Assets (FSP FAS 142-3). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the guidance in SFAS No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset, about estimating the useful lives of recognized intangible
assets, and requires additional disclosures related to renewing or extending the terms of
recognized intangible assets. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective
79
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. Management does not expect the initial adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 will have a material impact
on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (SFAS No. 165). SFAS No. 165
addresses accounting and disclosure requirements related to subsequent events and requires
management to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are either
issued or available to be issued, depending on the companys expectation of whether it will widely
distribute its financial statements to its shareholders and other financial statement users.
Companies will be required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been
evaluated. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15,
2009.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets,
(SFAS No. 166) and No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (SFAS No. 167), which
significantly changes the accounting for transfers of financial assets and the criteria for
determining whether to consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE). SFAS No.166 eliminates the
QSPE concept, establishes conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as
a sale, clarifies the financial-asset derecognition criteria, revises how interests retained by the
transferor in a sale of financial assets initially are measured, and removes the guaranteed
mortgage securitization recharacterization provisions. SFAS 167 requires reporting entities to
evaluate former QSPEs for consolidation, changes the approach to determining a VIEs primary
beneficiary from a mainly quantitative assessment to an exclusively qualitative assessment designed
to identify a controlling financial interest, and increases the frequency of required reassessments
to determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. These Statements require
additional year-end and interim disclosures for public and non-public companies that are similar to
the disclosures required by FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities
(Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities.
Eliminating the QSPE concept and changing the approach to determining a VIEs primary beneficiary
will mean that more entities will be subject to consolidation assessments and more VIEs likely will
be consolidated. SFAS No. 166 and SFAS No. 167 are effective as of the beginning of a companys
first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009, and for subsequent interim and annual
reporting periods. SFAS No. 166s disclosure requirements must be applied to transfers that
occurred before and after its effective date. The two Statements may not be applied before their
effective dates. Management does not expect the initial adoption of SFAS No. 166 and SFAS No. 167
will have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements.
C. Research and Development
Research and development is important to our continued success. Our research and development
initiatives are designed to improve our existing testing technologies and to develop new and
innovative technologies. We conduct our research and development activities primarily in-house but
may also from time to time outsource certain research and development activities. We have an
experienced team of engineers with expertise in the fields of computing, software, system design,
and test design and conversion. Our research and development team consisted of 94 people as of
March 31, 2009. We will continue to look selectively for experienced software engineers and other
technology talent to further increase our technological capabilities. While we focus on development
of technologies that can be commercialized and integrated into our service offerings in the short
term, we also invest in the research and development of testing technologies for the medium and
long term in preparation for developing next generation and cutting-edge products and services. Our
total expenses for research and development were RMB9.3 million, RMB12.9 million and RMB16.2
million ($2.4 million) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively.
D. Trend Information
Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we are not aware of any trends,
uncertainties, demands, commitments or events for the period from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2009
that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our revenues, income,
profitability, liquidity or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information
to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial conditions.
80
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not currently have, and do not expect in the future to have, any off-balance sheet
arrangements or commitments. In our ongoing business, we do not plan to enter into transactions
involving, or otherwise form relationships with, unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships
established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments.
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of fiscal year ended March 31,
2009:
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Payment Due by Period |
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Within 1 |
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More than 5 |
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Total |
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Year |
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1-3 Years |
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3-5 Years |
|
Years |
|
|
(In thousands of RMB) |
Operating Lease Obligations |
|
|
16,353 |
|
|
|
3,440 |
|
|
|
6,862 |
|
|
|
6,051 |
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition Payable Obligation |
|
|
2,306 |
|
|
|
2,306 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our operating lease obligations comprised of our office lease obligations for our offices in
China These office leases expire at different times over the period from the date of this annual
report through January 2014, and will become subject to renewal. We will evaluate the need to renew
each office lease on a case-by-case basis prior to its expiration. As we purchased our Beijing
office space in July 2009, its related lease obligation was not included in the table above.
On October 15, 2007, the Company entered into acquisition agreements to purchase the entire
equity interests of Beijing JDX and JDX BVI (the acquiree) for RMB10.0 million. Beijing JDX is a
PRC incorporated entity primarily engaged in the development and marketing of software for
computer-based tests. JDX BVI is a British Virgin Islands incorporated entity established by the
equity holders of Beijing JDX (selling shareholders) to hold exclusive licensing rights for the
use of technology owned by Beijing JDX. This acquisition is expected to expand the Companys
customer base by allowing it to market test delivery services to the test sponsors that are using
the products developed by Beijing JDX. During the year ended March 31, 2008, cash payments of RMB
4.3 million were made to the selling shareholders as a deposit for the acquisition. According to
the supplementary agreement signed in August 2008, Beijing JDX should refund RMB2 million of the
deposit with the remaining consideration of RMB7.7 million payable through the offset of a
receivable due from the selling shareholders of RMB4.7 million related to the exercise of the
warrant issued in connection with the acquisition agreements and cash of RMB3 million. As of March 31, 2009, the unpaid cash
consideration was RMB2.3 million ($0.3 million) of which RMB2.0
million ($0.3 million) was paid in April 2009 and RMB0.3 million
($44,718) was
paid in July 2009.
On August 7, 2008, the Company entered into agreements to purchase its Beijing office building
for total cash consideration of RMB51.5 million. On August 12, 2008, RMB0.4 million was paid to the
seller as a deposit, and the remainder of the consideration was paid on July 21, 2009.
Indebtedness
We currently do not have any outstanding debt, debt securities, contingent liabilities,
mortgages, or liens.
G. Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See
IntroductionForward-Looking Statements.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
81
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth certain information relating to our directors and executive
officers as of the date of this annual report. The business address of each of our directors and
executive officers is 8th Floor, Tower E, 6 Gongyuan West Street, Jian Guo Men Nei, Beijing 100005,
China.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
Kevin Xiaofeng Ma
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer |
Walter Lin Wang
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
Director, President |
Carl Yeung
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Bo Lin (1)
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer |
Andrew Yan
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Director |
Hope Ni
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Director |
Alec Tsui
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Director |
Patrick Tien
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Vice President of Channel and Sales |
Alex Tong
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
Vice President of Business Development |
Paul Hsu
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
Vice President of Product Marketing |
Jeffery Gao
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
Finance Director |
Amy Tung
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
Financial Controller |
Jianmin Ding
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Vice President |
Shuqiu Zhao
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
Vice President |
Degang Xie
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
Vice President |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Lin became our Chief Operating Officer in July 2009. |
Kevin Xiaofeng Ma is co-founder, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of our
company. Prior to co-founding our company, Mr. Ma co-founded Dynamic Technology Corporation and
served as its chief executive officer from 1996 to 1998. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Ma served as
general manager in the Hainan High-Tech Industry International Cooperation Center. Previously, Mr.
Ma gained experience as vice president at the Beijing MDI High-Tech Center, as president at Beijing
Zhongjia Integrated Intelligent System Engineering, and as director at China Radio International.
Mr. Ma is a member of the board of directors of a number of private enterprises with operations in
China. Mr. Ma graduated from Nanjing University with a bachelors degree in economics.
Walter Lin Wang is a co-founder, director and president of our company. Prior to co-founding
our company, Mr. Wang practiced independent IT consulting. Mr. Wang also worked as an engineer and
deputy department head at the PRC Ministry of Railways Information Center. Mr. Wang holds a
bachelors degree in computer science from Southwest Jiaotong University and a masters degree in
computer science from University of Central Florida.
Carl Yeung is currently the chief financial officer of our company and resigned from our board
of directors effective as of January 28, 2008. Prior to joining us, Mr. Yeung worked as an analyst
and associate at Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Limited from 2002 to 2006. Mr. Yeung is an
independent non-executive director at China Natural Gas, Inc. which
is an NASDAQ listed
company. Mr. Yeung holds a bachelors degree in economics with concentrations in finance and
operations management from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelors degree in
applied science with a concentration in systems engineering from School of Engineering and Applied
Sciences, University of Pennsylvania.
82
Bo Lin became our chief operating officer in July 2009 . Mr. Lin brings to our company more
than 18 years of experience in enterprise sales and marketing, strategic planning and operations
management. Prior to joining us, Mr. Lin was the general manager of strategic accounts with
Microsoft China where he was responsible for the country-wide business drive focused on developing
and expanding sales to the State-Owned Enterprise and Public Sector customers. Before that, Mr. Lin
had worked for China Hewlett-Packard for 14 years in various roles, most recently as the vice
president and general manager of strategic accounts and business development. Mr. Lin holds a
bachelors degree in economics from Beijing University of Technology and an MBA degree from the
Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University.
Andrew Yan is a director of our company, and is an independent director pursuant to Nasdaq
Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2). He is the managing partner of SB Asia Investment Fund II L.P. and
president of Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund. Before joining Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund in
2001, Mr. Yan was a managing director and the head of the Hong Kong office of Emerging Markets
Partnership. From 1991 to 1994, he was the director responsible for strategic planning and business
development for the Asia Pacific region at Sprint International Corporation. Mr. Yan has also
worked as research fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C., the World Bank and the
Economic Restructuring Institute of the State Council of the PRC. Mr. Yan was elected as Venture
Capitalist of the Year in 2004 by the China Venture Capital Association. He is currently an
independent director of three Hong Kong-listed companies, China
Resources Land Limited, Fosun International Limited and Stone Group
Holdings Limited. In addition, he is currently a director of Eternal
Asia Supply Chain Co., Ltd, a company listed in China, Acorn International Inc., and Giant Interactive Group Inc., both of which
are NYSE-listed companies, and a non-executive director of China
Resources Land Limited, a Hong Kong-listed Company. Mr. Yan received a Master of Arts degree
from Princeton University and a Master of Arts degree from Peking University as well as a
bachelors degree in engineering from the Nanjing Aeronautic Institute.
Hope Ni is an independent director on our board. Ms. Ni is currently serving as Chairman
of China Fundamental Acquisition Corp., which is an OTC Bulletin
Board traded Company. Ms. Ni served as the chief financial officer and secretary for Comtech Group Inc.
from August 2004 to December 2007. She also serves on the board of Qianjia Consulting Company,
which she founded in 2002. From September 1998 to August 2004, Ms. Ni was an attorney at Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in New York and Hong Kong specializing in corporate finance and
from 1995 to 1996 worked at Merrill Lynch in its investment banking division in New York. Ms. Ni
received a juris doctor degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School and a bachelors degree
in applied economics and business management from Cornell University.
Alec Tsui is an independent director on our board. Mr. Tsui is currently an independent
non-executive director of a number of listed companies in Hong Kong, including Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China (Asia) Limited, China Chengtong Development Group Ltd., COSCO
International Holdings, China Power International Development Limited, Greentown China Holdings Ltd., China BlueChemical Limited, China Hui Yuan Juice
Holdings Co. Ltd., Pacific Online Ltd, and China Oilfield Services Limited. He was also an independent non-executive director of
Melco PBL Entertainment (Macau) Ltd. which is listed on the Nasdaq
Global Market. He was the
chairman of the Hong Kong Securities Institute from 2001 to 2004. He was an advisor and a council
member of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange from July 2001 to June 2002. He joined the Hong Kong Stock
Exchange in 1994 as an executive director of the finance and operations services division and
became its chief executive in 1997. Prior to that Mr. Tsui served at the Securities and Futures
Commission of Hong Kong from 1989 to 1993. Mr. Tsui graduated from the University of Tennessee with
a bachelors degree and a master of engineering degree in industrial engineering. He completed a
program for senior managers in government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard
University.
Patrick Tien is a vice president, in charge of channel and sales, of our company. Prior to
joining us in November 2005, Mr. Tien worked as a project general director at Microsoft Learning
from 1991 to 2005. Mr. Tien holds a bachelors degree in computer science from Chung Yuan Christian
University, and a masters degree in computer engineering from University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Alex Tong is a vice president, in charge of business development, of our company. Prior to
joining us in September 2005, Mr. Tong worked as the Asia Pacific General Manager at the Royal
Institution of Charted Surveyors from 2003 to 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Tong worked for Thomson
Prometric in the position of executive director from 1999 to 2003 and as the managing director at
Pearson NCS Hong Kong Ltd. from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Tong graduated from University of Nottingham with
a bachelors degree in education and a masters degree of philosophy in education and from the
Chinese University of Hong Kong with an executive MBA.
83
Paul Hsu is a vice president, in charge of product development and marketing, of our company.
Prior to joining us in October 2006, Mr. Hsu worked as product marketing director at Microsoft
Greater China Region from 1995 to 2006 and worked as a technical group manager at Digital Equipment
Corp Taiwan from 1990 to 1995. Mr. Hsu holds a college degree in mechanical engineering from Taiwan
DongNan College.
Jeffery Gao is our finance director. Prior to joining us in July 2008, Mr. Gao was a director
at Ernst & Youngs Beijing office from October 2007. Prior to that he worked at
PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Shanghai, Philadelphia and Beijing offices from 1996. Mr. Gao holds
a bachelors degree in accounting from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. He is also
a fellow member of the Association of Chartered Certificated Accountants.
Amy Tung is currently the Financial Controller of our company. Prior to joining us in August
2006, she worked as Controller at Bayer Healthcare Limited from 2005 to 2006, as Senior Financial
Analyst at BEA Systems (Hong Kong) Limited from 2004 to 2005 and as Finance Manager at Bureau
Veritas Consumer Products Services (Hong Kong) Limited from 2002 to 2004. Ms. Tung graduated from
the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a masters degree in business administration and Columbia
University with a masters degree in financial engineering, respectively. Ms. Tung is also a member
of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries
and Administrators.
Jianmin Ding became a vice president in charge of JDX business development of our company as
of February 28, 2009. Mr. Ding has been with ATA in charge of our marketing and business
development since 2001. Prior to joining us, Mr. Ding was the chairman and CEO of Shanghai Linping
Property Ltd,. Mr. Ding graduated from Nanjing University with a bachelors degree in economics.
Shuqiu Zhao became a vice president in charge of marketing and business development of the
testing services of our company as of February 23, 2009. Mr. Zhao has been with ATA in charge of
our product development and business development of testing services since 2000. Prior to joining
us, Mr. Zhao worked as the general manager of the computer education center of the Shanghai Pudong
New Area. Mr. Zhao graduated from Harbin Institute of Technology with a bachelors degree in
technology.
Degang Xie became a vice president in charge of the research and development department of our
company as of February 23, 2009. Mr. Xie has been with ATA in charge of our IT research and
development since 1999. Prior to joining us, Mr. Xie worked as chief engineer of Nanjing LOPU Ltd,.
Mr. Xie graduated from Nanjing University with a bachelors degree in physics.
B. Compensation
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, we and our subsidiaries paid aggregate cash
compensation of approximately RMB9.4 million ($1.4 million) to our directors and executive officers
as a group, and granted to selected directors and executive officers options to acquire an
aggregate of 50,000 common shares and 50,000 restricted shares. We do not pay or set aside any
amounts for pension, retirement or other benefits for our officers and directors.
Share Incentives
Share Option Plan
Historical Issuance of Options and Warrants
On May 23, 2003, we granted options to purchase our common shares to certain employees and
consultants. We issued to Jianguo Wang, our former senior vice president, and Xiaozhong Luo, our
vice president, options to purchase 1,095,890 and 273,973 of our common shares, respectively, for a
price of $0.545 per share in consideration for their contribution to our company up to that time.
We also issued a warrant to purchase 547,945 of our common shares for a price of $0.545 per share
to Techina Capital Inc. for its previous service as financial advisor to us. Options held by
Jianguo Wang and Xiaozhong Luo were vested as of April 12, 2005. The warrant held by Techina
Capital Inc. was exercisable as of June 30, 2003. All of these options and warrants were exercised
in the first half of 2008.
84
We adopted a share incentive plan, or the 2005 Plan, in April 2005. We adopted our 2008
Employee Share Incentive Plan, or the 2008 Plan, in January 2008. Our share incentive plans are
intended to promote our success and to increase shareholder value by providing an additional means
to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected directors, officers, employees and other eligible
persons. An aggregate of 3,310,300 common shares are reserved for issuance under the 2005 Plan.
Subject to any amendment of our 2008 Plan by our directors, the maximum aggregate number of common
shares that may be issued pursuant to all awards under the 2008 Plan is 336,307 shares, plus an
annual increase on January 1 of each calendar year equal to the lesser of (x) one percent (1%) of
the number of shares issued and outstanding on December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar
year, (y) 336,307 shares, and (z) any lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors.
As of the date of this annual report, we have granted options for the purchase of a total of
3,235,800 common shares under the 2005 Plan and 186,668 common shares under the 2008 Plan, and
274,000 restricted shares under 2008 Plan, respectively, to selected directors, officers, employees
and individual consultants and advisors, of which 3,235,468 share options and 269,000 restricted
shares are outstanding and 2,591,627 share options and zero restricted shares were vested and
exercisable as of the date of this report. The contractual term of these options is ten years.
Options
and restricted shares granted under our share incentive plans generally do not vest unless the grantee
remains under our employment or in service with us on the given vesting date.
Generally, if the grantees employment or service with us is terminated for cause, all such
grantees options under our share incentive plans, vested and unvested, immediately terminate and
become unexercisable. On the other hand, if the grantees employment or service with us is
terminated for any reason other than for cause, all such grantees vested options terminate and
become unexercisable ninety days following the grantees last day of employment or service with us.
In circumstances where there is a death or total disability of the grantee, generally all unvested
options immediately terminate and become unexercisable while vested options terminate and become
unexercisable twelve months after the last date of employment or service with us.
Our board of directors may amend, alter, suspend, or terminate our share incentive plans at
any time, provided, however, that our board of directors must first seek the approval of the
participants of our share incentive plans if such amendment, alteration, suspension or termination
would adversely affect the rights of participants under any option granted prior to that date.
Without further action by our board of directors, the 2005 Plan will terminate in 2015 and the 2008
Plan will terminate in 2018.
The table below sets forth the option grants made to our current directors and executive
officers pursuant to our share incentive plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to be Issued |
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon Exercise |
|
Price per |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
of Options |
|
Common Share |
|
Date of Grant |
|
Vesting Start Date |
|
Date of Expiration |
Carl Yeung |
|
|
330,400 |
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
May 26, 2006 |
|
May 1, 2006 |
|
May 25, 2016 |
|
|
|
187,800 |
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
October 1, 2007 |
|
July 1, 2007 |
|
September 30, 2017 |
Andrew Yan |
|
|
330,400 |
|
|
$ |
2.263 |
|
|
April 12, 2005 |
|
May 1, 2005 |
|
April 11, 2015 |
Hope Ni |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.75 |
|
|
January 28, 2008 |
|
January 28, 2008 |
|
January 27, 2018 |
Alec Tsui |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
4.75 |
|
|
January 28, 2008 |
|
January 28, 2008 |
|
January 27, 2018 |
Patrick Tien |
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
December 16, 2005 |
|
January 1, 2006 |
|
December 15, 2015 |
Alex Tong |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
December 16, 2005 |
|
January 1, 2006 |
|
December 15, 2015 |
Paul Hsu |
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
December 27, 2006 |
|
October 31, 2006 |
|
December 26, 2016 |
Jeffery Gao* |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
6.315 |
|
|
July 14, 2008 |
|
July 14, 2008 |
|
July 13, 2018 |
Jianmin Ding |
|
|
303,800 |
|
|
$ |
2.263 |
|
|
April 12, 2005 |
|
May 1, 2005 |
|
April 11, 2015 |
Amy Tung |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
December 27, 2006 |
|
October 31, 2006 |
|
December 26, 2016 |
85
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
to be Issued |
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon Exercise |
|
Price per |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
of Options |
|
Common Share |
|
Date of Grant |
|
Vesting Start Date |
|
Date of Expiration |
Degang Xie |
|
|
31,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.263 |
|
|
April 12, 2005 |
|
May 1, 2005 |
|
April 11, 2015 |
Shuqiu Zhao |
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
$ |
2.263 |
|
|
April 12, 2005 |
|
May 1, 2005 |
|
April 11, 2015 |
|
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
October 1, 2007 |
|
July 1, 2007 |
|
September 30, 2017 |
|
|
|
* |
|
The exercise price of Jeffery Gaos options were adjusted from $6.315 to $3.35 on September 4,
2009 pursuant to a board resolution and approval by the boards compensation committee. |
C. Board Practices
Duties of Directors
Under Cayman Islands Law, our directors have a statutory duty of loyalty to act honestly in
good faith with a view to our best interests. Our directors also have a duty to exercise the care,
diligence and skills that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
In fulfilling their duty of care to us, our directors must ensure compliance with our amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association. A shareholder has the right to seek damages if a
duty owed by our directors is breached.
The functions and powers of our board of directors include, among others:
|
|
|
convening shareholders annual general meetings and reporting its work to
shareholders at such meetings; |
|
|
|
|
issuing authorized but unissued shares; |
|
|
|
|
declaring dividends and distributions; |
|
|
|
|
exercising the borrowing powers of our company and mortgaging the property of
our company; |
|
|
|
|
approving the transfer of shares of our company, including the registering of
such shares in our share register; and |
|
|
|
|
exercising any other powers conferred by the shareholders meetings or under
our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association. |
Terms of Directors
We have a board of five directors divided into class A, class B and class C directors. As of
the date of this annual report, the class A directors are Kevin Xiaofeng Ma and Walter Lin Wang,
the class B director is Andrew Yan, and the class C directors are Hope Ni and Alec Tsui. Each class
of directors will stand for election every year at our annual general meeting of shareholders on a
rotating basis, beginning with our class A directors at the first annual general meeting of our
shareholders. Our chief executive officer, which currently is Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, shall not, while
holding office, be subject to retirement or be taken into account in determining the number of
directors to retire in any year. Neither we nor our subsidiaries have any directors service
contracts providing for benefits upon termination of employment
Board Practices
Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a
nominations committee.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of Hope Ni and Alec Tsui. Hope Ni is the chairman of our audit
committee. Our board of directors has determined that Hope Ni and Alec Tsui are independent
directors within the meaning
86
of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence set forth in
Rule 10A-3(b) of the Exchange Act. Hope Ni meets the criteria of an audit committee financial
expert as set forth under the applicable rules of the SEC. The third seat on our audit committee is
vacant in reliance on Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3), which permits a foreign private issuer
like us to follow home country practices in relation to the composition of its audit committee.
In this regard we have elected to adopt the practices of our home country, the Cayman Islands,
which does not require us to have a three member audit committee or to fill all three seats on the
audit committee at this time. We are seeking a third independent director to fill this vacancy.
Our audit committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
appointing the independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
pre-approving all auditing and non-auditing services permitted to be performed
by the independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
annually reviewing the independent auditors report describing the auditing
firms internal quality-control procedures, any material issues raised by the most
recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the independent auditor and
all relationships between the independent auditor and our company; |
|
|
|
|
setting clear hiring policies for employees and former employees of the
independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and
managements responses; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and approving all related party transactions on an ongoing basis; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and discussing the annual audited financial statements with
management and the independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor major
issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing reports prepared by management or the independent auditor relating
to significant financial reporting issues and judgments; |
|
|
|
|
discussing earnings press releases with management, as well as financial
information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory
and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures, on our financial
statements; |
|
|
|
|
discussing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management with
management, internal auditors and the independent auditor; |
|
|
|
|
timely reviewing reports from the independent auditor regarding all critical
accounting policies and practices to be used by our company, all alternative
treatments of financial information within U.S. GAAP that have been discussed with
management and all other material written communications between the independent
auditor and management; |
|
|
|
|
establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints
received from our employees regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or
auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of
concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; |
|
|
|
|
annually reviewing and reassessing the adequacy of our audit committee
charter; |
87
|
|
|
such other matters that are specifically delegated to our audit committee by
our board of directors from time to time; |
|
|
|
|
meeting separately, periodically, with management, internal auditors and the
independent auditor; and |
|
|
|
|
reporting regularly to the full board of directors. |
Compensation Committee
Our compensation committee consists of Andrew Yan, Hope Ni and Alec Tsui. Andrew Yan is the
chairman of our compensation committee. Our board of directors has determined that all of our
compensation committee members are independent directors within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock
Market Rule 5605(a)(2).
Our compensation committee is responsible for:
|
|
|
reviewing and approving our overall compensation policies; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the
compensation of our chief executive officer, evaluating our chief executive officers
performance in light of those goals and objectives, reporting the results of such
evaluation to the board of directors, and determining our chief executive officers
compensation level based on this evaluation; |
|
|
|
|
determining the compensation level of our other executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
making recommendations to the board of directors with respect to our
incentive-compensation plan and equity-based compensation plans; |
|
|
|
|
administering our equity-based compensation plans in accordance with the terms
thereof; and |
|
|
|
|
such other matters that are specifically delegated to the compensation
committee by our board of directors from time to time. |
Nominations Committee
Our nominations committee consists of Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, Andrew Yan and Alec Tsui. Kevin
Xiaofeng Ma is the chairman of the nominations committee. Although Nasdaq Stock Market Rules
generally require all members of the nominations committee of a listed company to be independent
directors within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2), Nasdaq Stock Market Rule
5615(a)(3) permits a foreign private issuer like us to follow home country practices in relation
to composition of its nominations committee. In this regard, we have elected to adopt the practices
of our home country, the Cayman Islands, which does not require that any of the members of a
companys nominations committee be independent directors.
Our nominations committee is responsible for, among other things:
|
|
|
seeking and evaluating qualified individuals to become new directors as
needed; |
|
|
|
|
reviewing and making recommendations to the board of directors regarding the
independence and suitability of each board member for continued service; and |
|
|
|
|
evaluating the nature, structure and composition of other board committees. |
Corporate Governance
Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics, which is applicable to our senior
executive and financial officers. In addition, our board of directors has adopted a code of
conduct, which is applicable to all of our directors, officers, employees and advisors. Our code of
ethics and our code of conduct are publicly available on our web site,
http://www.ata.net.cn . In addition, our board of directors has adopted a set of corporate
88
governance guidelines. The guidelines reflect certain guiding principles with respect to our
boards structure, procedures and committees. The guidelines are not intended to change or
interpret any law, or our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Interested Transactions
A director may vote with respect to any contract or transaction in which he or she is
interested, provided that the nature of the interest of any director in such contract or
transaction is disclosed by him or her at or prior to its consideration and any vote in that
matter.
D. Employees
We had 328, 346 and 489 employees as of March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, respectively. As of
March 31, 2009, we had 489 employees, 145 of which were in sales and marketing, 94 in research and
development, 172 in client service and support and 78 in general and administrative functions.
In April 2005, we adopted a share incentive plan, or the 2005 Plan. In January 2008, we
adopted our 2008 Employee Share Incentive Plan, or the 2008 Plan. We use our share incentive plans
as an additional means to further attract, motivate, retain and reward selected directors,
officers, employees and third-party consultants and advisors. For more information, see Item 6.B.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees Share Incentives Share Option Plan. We believe
these initiatives have contributed to our ability to attract and retain talent.
As required by Chinese laws and regulations, we participate in various employee benefit plans
that are organized by municipal and provincial governments, including housing, pension, medical and
unemployment benefit plans. We make monthly payments to these plans in respect of each employee
based on the employees compensation. We believe that we maintain a good working relationship with
our employees and we have not experienced any significant labor disputes. Our employees have not
entered into any collective bargaining agreements.
According to our contracts with our employees, our employees are generally prohibited from
engaging in any activities that compete with our business during the period of their employment and
for two years after termination of their employment with us. Furthermore, all employees are
prohibited, for a period of two years following termination, from soliciting other employees to
leave us and, for a period of five years following termination, from soliciting our existing
clients. However, we may have difficulty enforcing these non-competition and non-solicitation terms
in China because the Chinese legal system, especially with respect to the enforcement of such
terms, is still developing.
E. Share Ownership
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership, within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, of our common shares as of August 31, 2009 by:
|
|
|
each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common shares,
and |
|
|
|
|
each of our directors and executive officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially |
|
|
Owned |
|
|
Number (1) |
|
Percent (2) |
Directors and Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Xiaofeng Ma (3) |
|
|
6,094,988 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
% |
Walter Lin Wang (4) |
|
|
2,930,576 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
% |
Carl Yeung |
|
|
460,587 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
% |
Andrew Yan |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Hope Ni |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Alec Tsui |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Patrick Tien |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially |
|
|
Owned |
|
|
Number (1) |
|
Percent (2) |
Alex Tong |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Paul Hsu |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jeffery Gao |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Bo Lin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amy Tung |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Jianmin Ding |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Shuqiu Zhao |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Degang Xie |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Directors and Executive Officers Combined |
|
|
10,789,366 |
|
|
|
23.6 |
% |
Principal Shareholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HSBC International Trustee Limited (5) |
|
|
15,063,266 |
|
|
|
33.0 |
% |
SB Asia Investment Fund II L.P. (6) |
|
|
13,462,862 |
|
|
|
29.5 |
% |
Able Knight Development Limited (3) |
|
|
6,094,988 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
% |
Lijun Mai (7) |
|
|
4,845,000 |
|
|
|
10.6 |
% |
Wealth Treasure Management Limited (4) |
|
|
2,930,576 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
% |
|
Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd (8) |
|
|
2,645,570 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Beneficially owns less than 1% of our common shares. |
|
(1) |
|
The number of common shares beneficially owned by each of the listed persons includes common
shares that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after August 31, 2009. |
|
(2) |
|
Percentage of beneficial ownership for each of the persons listed above is determined by
dividing (i) the number of common shares beneficially owned by such person by (ii) the total
number of common shares outstanding, plus the number of common shares such person has the
right to acquire within 60 days after August 31, 2009. The total number of our common shares
outstanding as of August 31, 2009 is 45,675,514. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 6,094,988 common shares held by Able Knight Development Limited, which is a British
Virgin Islands company ultimately wholly owned by HSBC International Trustee Limited as
trustee of an irrevocable trust constituted under the laws of the Cayman Islands with Kevin
Xiaofeng Ma as the settler and certain family members of Kevin Xiaofeng Ma as the
beneficiaries. Kevin Xiaofeng Ma is the sole director of Able Knight Development Limited. The
business address of Able Knight Development Limited is Portcullis TrustNet Chambers, P.O. Box
3444, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 2,930,576 common shares held by Wealth Treasure Management Limited. Wealth Treasure
Management Limited is a British Virgin Islands company ultimately wholly owned by HSBC
International Trustee Limited as trustee of an irrevocable trust constituted under the laws
of Cayman Islands with Walter Lin Wang as the settlor and one of the beneficiaries. Walter
Lin Wang is the sole director of Wealth Treasure Management Limited. The business address of
Wealth Treasure Management Limited is Portcullis TrustNet Chambers, P.O. Box 3444, Road Town,
Tortola, British Virgin Islands. |
|
(5) |
|
Based on a Schedule 13G filed by HSBC International Trustee Limited on February 17, 2009.
Includes 8,935,584 common shares and 3,063,841 American Depositary Shares (representing
6,127,682 common shares) beneficially owned by the Reporting Person solely in its capacity as
trustee of various trusts. The registered address of HSBC International Trustee Limited is 21
Collyer Quay, #09-01 HSBC Building, Singapore 049320. |
|
(6) |
|
Based on a Schedule 13G filed jointly by SB Asia Investment Fund II L.P., SAIF GP L.P., SAIF
Partners II L.P. and SAIF II GP Capital Ltd. on February 13, 2009. Includes 12,707,436
common shares and 377,713 ADSs, representing 755,426 common shares held by SB Asia Investment
Fund II L.P., a Cayman Islands limited partnership. SAIF GP Capital Ltd. is the sole general
partner of SAIF Partners II L.P., which is the sole general partner of SAIF II GP L.P., which
is in turn the sole general partner of SB Asia Investment Fund II L.P., which is the record
owner of the common shares. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 1,645,000 common shares held by Mutual Step Holdings Limited, 1,600,000 common
shares held by Art Kind Technology Limited and 1,600,000 common shares held by Art Grace
Development Limited. Each of Mutual Step Holdings Limited, Art Kind Technology Limited and
Art Grace Development Limited is a British Virgin Islands company ultimately wholly owned by
HSBC International Trustee Limited as trustee of an irrevocable trust constituted under the
laws of Cayman Islands with Lijun Mai or certain family members of Lijun Mai as the settler
and beneficiaries. Lijun Mai is the sole director of Mutual Step Holdings Limited. The
business address of each of Mutual Step Holdings Limited, Art Kind Technology Limited and Art
Grace Development Limited is Portcullis TrustNet Chambers, P.O. Box 3444, Road Town, Tortola,
British Virgin Islands. |
|
(8) |
|
Based on a Schedule 13G jointly filed by the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation
Pte Ltd, Government of Singapore and Monetary Authority of Singapore on January 21, 2009.
According to the Schedule 13G, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd
shares power to vote and power to dispose of 2,645,570 common shares, the Government of
Singapore shares the power to vote and power to dispose of 1,790,232 common shares and the
Monetary Authority of Singapore shares the power to vote and the power to dispose of 855,338
common shares. |
None of our shareholders have different voting rights from other shareholders. To our
knowledge, we are not owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation, by any
foreign government or by any other natural or legal persons, severally or jointly. None of our
shareholders has different voting rights from other shareholders. We are not aware of any
arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our company. See Item
6.B. Compensation Share Incentives for information on options granted to our current directors
and executive officers. To our knowledge, as of August 31, 2009, none of our common shares were
held by holders of record in the United States. However, 24,032,494 common shares were registered in the
name of a
90
nominee of Citibank, N.A., the depositary of our ADSs. It is likely that a large number of
beneficial owners of our ADSs reside in the United States.
Historical Changes in Shareholdings of Our Major Shareholders
In June 2006, Lijun Mai exercised a warrant to purchase 5,479,452 of our outstanding common
shares. Ms. Mai obtained this warrant pursuant to the terms of agreements entered into between Ms.
Mai and ATA BVI in May 2003 under which Ms. Mai loaned RMB19.0 million ($2.5 million) to ATA BVI.
In July 2007, we adjusted the conversion price of our Series A convertible preferred shares to
$1.3829 per share in accordance with the provisions of our memorandum and articles of association,
as a result of which each Series A convertible preferred share became convertible into 1.6364163
common shares.
In October 2007, Kevin Xiaofeng Ma transferred by gift all of his ownership interest in (1)
6,148,648 common shares to Able Knight Development Limited, (2) 1,500,000 common shares to Creation
Linkage Development Limited, and (3) 1,500,000 common shares to New Beauty Holdings Limited. Able
Knight Development Limited is a company ultimately wholly owned by a trust of which Kevin Xiaofeng
Ma is the settler and certain family members of Kevin Xiaofeng Ma are the beneficiaries. Each of
Creation Linkage Development Limited and New Beauty Holdings Limited is a company ultimately wholly
owned by a trust of which one or more adult family members of Kevin Xiaofeng Ma are the settler and
beneficiaries.
In December 2007, Walter Lin Wang transferred by gift all of his ownership interest in (1)
3,086,936 common shares to Wealth Treasure Management Limited and (2) 1,000,000 common shares to
Valley Joy Limited. Wealth Treasure Management Limited is a British Virgin Islands company
ultimately wholly owned by HSBC International Trustee Limited as trustee of an irrevocable trust
constituted under the laws of Cayman Islands with Walter Lin Wang as the settler and one of the
beneficiaries. Valley Joy Limited is a company ultimately wholly owned by HSBC International
Trustee Limited as trustee of an irrevocable trust constituted under the laws of Cayman Islands
with one or more family members of Walter Lin Wang as the settler and beneficiaries.
In December 2007, Lijun Mai transferred by gift all of her ownership interest in (1) 1,645,000
common shares to Mutual Step Holdings Limited, (2) 1,600,000 common shares to Art Kind Technology
Limited, (3) 1,600,000 common shares to Art Grace Development Limited, and (4) 634,452 common
shares to Joy Spread Development Limited. Each of Mutual Step Holdings Limited, Art Kind Technology
Limited and Art Grace Development Limited is a British Virgin Islands company ultimately wholly
owned by HSBC International Trustee Limited as trustee of an irrevocable trust constituted under
the laws of Cayman Islands with Lijun Mai or certain family members of Lijun Mai as the settler and
beneficiaries. Joy Spread Development Limited is a British Virgin Islands company ultimately wholly
owned by a sister of Lijun Mai.
We completed our initial public offering of 4,874,012 ADSs, each representing two common
shares on February 1, 2008. On February 28, 2008, the underwriters to our initial public offering
exercised their over allotment option, which resulted in us issuing an additional 126,101 ADSs,
each representing two common shares.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
Please refer to Item 6.E, Directors, Senior Management and Employees Share Ownership
B. Related Party Transactions
Agreements among ATA BVI, ATA Learning and ATA Online
Due to PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership of Internet content businesses in
China, we operate the online portion of our test preparation and training solutions business
through ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited, or ATA Online, which is a domestic
Chinese company incorporated in the PRC in September 2006 and owned by Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, our
co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer and Walter Lin Wang, our co-founder, director and
president, both of whom are PRC citizens. ATA BVI and ATA Learning (Beijing) Inc., or ATA Learning,
one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, have entered into a series of
91
contractual arrangements with ATA Online, including an exclusive technical support agreement,
a strategic consulting service agreement and a call option and cooperation agreement. These
contractual arrangements also include an equity pledge agreement entered into with each of the
shareholders of ATA Online. As a result of these contractual arrangements, under U.S. GAAP, we are
considered the primary beneficiary of ATA Online. Accordingly, we consolidate ATA Onlines results
in our consolidated financial statements. See Item 4.C. Information on the Company
Organizational Structure Corporate Structure and Arrangements with Our Affiliated PRC Entity.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of these agreements. For more complete
information you should read these agreements in their entirety. Directions on how to obtain copies
of these agreements are provided in this annual report under Item 10.H. Additional Information -
Documents on Display.
Technical support agreement, dated October 27, 2006. Under this agreement, ATA Learning
provides ATA Online with exclusive technical support services for the maintenance of ATA Onlines
servers, networks and other equipment, software and systems. In return, ATA Online pays a quarterly
service fee to ATA Learning. The service fee is mutually agreed by both parties, and is determined
based on certain objective criteria such as the actual services required by ATA Online and the
actual labor costs, as determined by the number of days and personnel involved, incurred by ATA
Learning for providing the services during the relevant period. In addition, ATA Online reimburses
ATA Learning for out of pocket costs ATA Learning incurs in connection with providing the services.
The term of this agreement is ten years, automatically renewable for successive one year terms
unless ATA Learning notifies ATA Online of its intention not to renew 30 days before the relevant
term expires. ATA Online may not terminate this agreement during its term.
Strategic consulting service agreement, dated October 27, 2006. Under this agreement, ATA
Learning provides ATA Online with strategic consulting and related services for ATA Onlines
business, including (1) valuation of new products; (2) industry investigation and survey; (3)
marketing and promotion strategies; and (4) other services related to ATA Onlines online test
preparation services business. The fees for these services must be confirmed by ATA Learning and
will be calculated monthly but paid quarterly based on actual time spent providing the services. In
addition, ATA Learning has the right to adjust the fees payable by ATA Online in accordance with
its performance. The term of this agreement is 20 years, automatically renewable for successive one
year terms unless ATA Learning notifies ATA Online of its intention not to renew 30 days before the
relevant term expires. If either party fails to comply with this agreement, it shall indemnify all
losses incurred by the other party.
Each party may terminate this agreement if the other party fails to perform its obligations
under this agreement or the representations, warranties or covenants of the other party are
materially inaccurate or misleading.
Equity pledge agreement, dated October 27, 2006, as amended and restated on February 12, 2007,
and as amended on July 7, 2009. To secure the payment obligations of ATA Online under the exclusive
technical support agreement and the strategic consulting service agreement described above, ATA
Onlines shareholders have pledged to ATA Learning their entire equity ownership interests in ATA
Online. Upon the occurrence of certain events of default specified in this agreement, the pledgee
may exercise its rights and foreclose on the pledged equity interest. Under this agreement, the
pledgor may not transfer the pledged equity interest without the pledgees prior written consent.
This agreement will also be binding upon successors of the pledgor and transferees of the pledged
equity interest. The term of the pledge is the same as the term of the strategic consulting service
agreement. This agreement may be terminated upon the completion of ATA Onlines contractual
liabilities under the exclusive technical support agreement and the strategic consulting service
agreement as described above. In February 2007, Jianguo Wang transferred all of his equity interest
in ATA Online to Walter Lin Wang. We amended and restated the October 2006 agreement to take this
transfer into account.
Loans to the Shareholders of ATA Online, dated October 27, 2006, as amended on February 12,
2007 and on July 7, 2009. ATA BVI entered into loan agreements with each of Kevin Xiaofeng Ma,
Walter Lin Wang and Jianguo Wang, the shareholders of ATA Online to extend each of Kevin Xiaofeng
Ma, Walter Lin Wang and Jianguo Wang a interest free loan in the amount of RMB9.0 million ($1.3 million), RMB1.0
million ($0.1 million) and RMB50,000 ($7,318), respectively, for the sole purpose of investing in ATA Online as ATA
Onlines registered capital. The initial term of these loans in each case is ten years, which may
be extended upon the parties agreement. Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, Walter Lin Wang and Jianguo Wang can
only repay the loans by transferring all of their interest in ATA Online to
92
ATA BVI or to a third party designated by ATA BVI. When Kevin Xiaofeng Ma, Walter Lin Wang and
Jianguo Wang transfer their interest in ATA Online to ATA BVI or its designee, if the actual
transfer price is higher than the principal amount of the loans, the amount exceeding the principal
amount of the loans will be deemed as interest accrued on such loans and repaid by Kevin Xiaofeng
Ma, Walter Lin Wang and Jianguo Wang to ATA BVI. ATA BVI also has the right to, but has no
obligation to, purchase, or designate a third party to purchase, all or part of their interest in
ATA Online at a price equal to the amount of the loans. In February 2007, Jianguo Wang repaid the
loan by transferring all of his interest in ATA Online to Walter Lin Wang. As a result, ATA BVI
terminated the loan agreement with Jianguo Wang and amended the agreement with Walter Lin Wang to
increase the principal of the loan to RMB0.1 million.
Call option and cooperation agreement, dated October 27, 2006, as amended and restated on
February 12, 2007, and as amended on July 7, 2009. Through the call option and cooperation
agreement entered into between ATA BVI and ATA Online and its shareholders, ATA BVI or any third
party designated by ATA BVI has the right to acquire, in whole or in part, the respective equity
interests in ATA Online of its shareholders or ATA Onlines assets when permitted by applicable
Chinese laws and regulations. The proceeds from the exercise of the call option will be applied to
repay the loans under the loan agreement described above. This agreement can only be terminated
with the unanimous consent of all parties, except that ATA BVI may terminate this agreement with 30
days prior notice to the other parties. In February 2007, Jianguo Wang transferred all of his
equity interest in ATA Online to Walter Lin Wang. We amended and restated the October 2006
agreement to take this transfer into account.
Shareholders Agreement and Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement
In connection with our sale of Series A convertible preferred shares to SAIF and Winning King
Ltd. in March 2005, we and our existing shareholders entered into a Shareholders Agreement. Under
this agreement, our preferred shareholders are entitled to certain registration rights, including
demand registration rights, piggyback registration rights, and Form F-3 or Form S-3 registration
rights.
The Shareholders Agreement also provides for other rights enjoyed by holders of our preferred
shares, all of which rights terminated upon the completion of our initial public offering.
We and our existing shareholders also entered into a Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale
Agreement in March 2005. Under this agreement, holders of our preferred shares had certain rights
of first refusal and co-sale rights with respect to any proposed share transfers by any of the
holders of our common shares. These rights terminated upon the completion of our initial public
offering.
Following establishment of our Cayman Islands holding company, we entered into a Shareholders
Agreement and a Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, each on the same terms as described
above, with the shareholders of our Cayman Islands holding company in November 2006.
Loans to Our Shareholders, Members of Our Management and Companies Controlled by Our Shareholders
or Members of Our Management
Our subsidiaries have in the past made loans and advances to certain of our shareholders and
members of our management. During the period from April 2006 through the date of this document, the
maximum aggregate amount of outstanding balances due on such loans and advances was RMB2.8 million.
All of these loans and advances were unsecured and non-interest bearing, and all such loans and advances were repaid prior to completion of our initial public offering.
We also received advances from our shareholders and members of our management for operating,
investing and financing activities. All such advances were repaid prior to completion of our
initial public offering.
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
93
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Consolidated statements and other financial information.
Our consolidated financial statements are included at the end of this annual report.
Legal Proceedings
We are not currently involved in any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings
that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. From
time to time, we may be subject to various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course
of business.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared cash dividends on our common shares. We currently intend to retain all
available funds and any future earnings to finance our business and to fund the growth and
expansion of our business, and, therefore, do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our common
shares, including those represented by ADSs, in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to
pay dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will be based upon our
future operations and earnings, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition,
shareholders interests, contractual restrictions and other factors our board of directors may deem
relevant.
Holders of our ADSs will be entitled to receive dividends, if any, subject to the terms of the
deposit agreement, to the same extent as the holders of our common shares. Cash dividends will be
paid to the depositary in U.S. dollars, which will distribute them to the holders of ADSs according
to the terms of the deposit agreement. Other distributions, if any, will be paid by the depositary
to the holders of ADSs in any means it deems legal, fair and practical.
Under Chinas new Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules, both of which became
effective on January 1, 2008, dividends from our PRC subsidiaries to us may be subject to a 10%
withholding tax if such dividends are derived from profits generated after January 1, 2008. If we
are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise, the withholding tax may be exempted, but we will be
subject to a 25% tax on our worldwide income, and our non-PRC enterprise investors may be subject
to PRC income tax withholding at a rate of 10%. See Item 3. Key Information D. Risk Factors
Risks Relating to Regulation of Our Business Under the New EIT Law, we may be classified as a resident enterprise of China. Such
classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and U.S. holders of our
ADSs or ordinary shares, and Item 10. Additional Information E. Taxation Peoples Republic
of China Taxation.
B. Significant Changes
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant
changes since the date of our audited financial statements included in this report.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offering and listing details.
Price Range of Our ADSs
Our ADSs are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol ATAI. The
following table sets forth the monthly high and low trading prices of our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global
Market for the periods indicated:
94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High |
|
Low |
Yearly Highs and Lows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 (from January 29, 2008) |
|
US$ |
12.92 |
|
|
US$ |
8.02 |
|
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 |
|
US$ |
17.45 |
|
|
US$ |
2.75 |
|
Quarterly Highs and Lows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter ended March 31, 2008 (from January 29, 2008) |
|
US$ |
12.92 |
|
|
US$ |
8.02 |
|
Quarter ended June 30, 2008 |
|
US$ |
17.45 |
|
|
US$ |
8.96 |
|
Quarter ended September 30, 2008 |
|
US$ |
15.45 |
|
|
US$ |
8.22 |
|
Quarter ended December 31, 2008 |
|
US$ |
9.06 |
|
|
US$ |
3.56 |
|
Quarter ended March 31, 2009 |
|
US$ |
5.62 |
|
|
US$ |
2.75 |
|
Quarter ended June 30, 2009 |
|
US$ |
12.2 |
|
|
US$ |
3.94 |
|
Monthly Highs and Lows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2009 |
|
US$ |
5.37 |
|
|
US$ |
3.80 |
|
April 2009 |
|
US$ |
5.00 |
|
|
US$ |
3.94 |
|
May 2009 |
|
US$ |
6.76 |
|
|
US$ |
4.56 |
|
June 2009 |
|
US$ |
12.2 |
|
|
US$ |
5.41 |
|
July 2009 |
|
US$ |
9.65 |
|
|
US$ |
7.29 |
|
August 2009 |
|
US$ |
8.94 |
|
|
US$ |
6.60 |
|
September (through September 11, 2009) |
|
US$ |
7.34 |
|
|
US$ |
6.50 |
On September 11, 2009, the closing sale price of our ADSs as reported on the Nasdaq Global
Market was US$6.62 per ADS.
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
See Item 9.A above.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
We incorporate by reference into this annual report the description of our third amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association contained in Description of Share Capital of our
F-1 registration statement (File No. 333-148512) originally filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 8, 2008, as amended.
C. Material Contracts
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We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business
and other than those described in Item 4, Information on the Company and in Item 7, Major
Shareholders and Related Party Transactions or elsewhere in this annual report on
Form 20-F.
D. Exchange Controls
Regulation of Foreign Exchange
Chinas government imposes restrictions on the convertibility of the Renminbi and on the
collection and use of foreign currency by Chinese entities. Under current regulations, the Renminbi
is convertible for current account transactions, which include dividend distributions, interest
payments, and the import and export of goods and services. Conversion of Renminbi into foreign
currency and foreign currency into Renminbi for capital account transactions, such as direct
investment, portfolio investment and loans, however, is still generally subject to the prior
approval of the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE.
Under current Chinese regulations, Foreign-Invested Enterprises such as our Chinese
subsidiaries are required to apply to SAFE for a Foreign Exchange Registration Certificate for
Foreign-Invested Enterprise. With such a foreign exchange registration certificate (which is
subject to review and renewal by SAFE on an annual basis), a foreign-invested enterprise may open
foreign exchange bank accounts at banks authorized to conduct foreign exchange business by SAFE and
may buy, sell and remit foreign exchange through such banks, subject to documentation and approval
requirements. Foreign-invested enterprises are required to open and maintain separate foreign
exchange accounts for capital account transactions and current account transactions. In addition,
there are restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that foreign-invested enterprises may
retain in such accounts.
The exchange rate for conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies is heavily influenced by
intervention in the foreign exchange market by the Peoples Bank of China. From 1995 until July
2005, the Peoples Bank of China intervened in the foreign exchange market to maintain an exchange
rate of approximately 8.3 Renminbi per U.S. dollar. On July 21, 2005, the Chinese government
changed this policy and began allowing appreciation of the Renminbi versus the U.S. dollar.
However, the Renminbi is restricted to a rise or fall of no more than 0.5% per day versus the U.S.
dollar, and the Peoples Bank of China continues to intervene in the foreign exchange market to
prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate. Nevertheless, under
Chinas current exchange rate regime, the Renminbi may appreciate or depreciate significantly in
value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. There remains significant international
pressure on the Chinese government to adopt a substantial liberalization of its currency policy,
which could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of the Renminbi
against the U.S. dollar.
Dividend Distributions
We have adopted a holding company structure, and our holding companies may rely on dividends
and other distributions on equity paid by our current and future Chinese subsidiaries for their
cash requirements, including the funds necessary to service any debt we may incur or financing we
may need for operations other than through our Chinese subsidiaries. Chinese legal restrictions
permit payments of dividends by our Chinese subsidiaries only out of their accumulated after-tax
profits, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and
regulations. Our Chinese subsidiaries are also required under Chinese laws and regulations to
allocate at least 10% of their after-tax profits determined in accordance with PRC GAAP to
statutory reserves until such reserves reach 50% of the companys registered capital. Allocations
to these statutory reserves and funds can only be used for specific purposes and are not
transferable to us in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends. As of March 31, 2009, ATA
Online,ATA Testing and ATA Wuxi had allocated RMB3.3 million ($0.5 million) in statutory reserves. Our other
Chinese subsidiaries had not allocated anything to these reserves and funds because they had
accumulative deficits under PRC GAAP as of March 31, 2009. Any limitations on the ability of our
Chinese subsidiaries to transfer funds to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to
grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends and
otherwise fund and conduct our business.
E. Taxation
The following is a general summary of the material Cayman Islands, U.S. federal and Peoples
Republic of China income tax consequences relevant to an investment in our ADSs and common shares.
The discussion is
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not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal or tax advice to any
particular prospective purchaser or current holders of our ADSs. The discussion is based on laws
and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this annual report, all of which
are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. The
discussion does not address United States state or local tax laws, or tax laws of jurisdictions
other than the Cayman Islands and the United States. You should consult your own tax advisors with
respect to the consequences of acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ADSs and common
shares.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon
profits, income, gains or appreciations and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax
or estate duty or withholding tax applicable to us or to any holder of ADSs or common shares. There
are no other taxes likely to be material to us levied by the Government of the Cayman Islands
except for stamp duties which may be applicable on instruments executed in, or after execution
brought within the jurisdiction of the Cayman Islands. No stamp duty is payable in the Cayman
Islands on transfers of shares of Cayman Islands companies except those which hold interests in
land in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to any double tax treaties. There are
no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the Cayman Islands.
Pursuant to Section 6 of the Tax Concessions Law (1999 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, we
have obtained an undertaking from the Governor-in-Cabinet:
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that no law which is enacted in the Cayman Islands imposing any tax to be
levied on profits or income or gains or appreciations shall apply to the Company or
its operations; and |
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that the aforesaid tax or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance
tax shall not be payable on the shares, debentures or other obligations of the
Company. |
The undertaking for us is for a period of twenty years from October 3, 2006.
Peoples Republic of China Taxation
In 2007 China passed a new Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the New EIT Law, and its implementing
rules, both of which became effective on January 1, 2008. The New EIT Law created a new resident
enterprise classification, which, if applied to us, would impose a 10% withholding tax on our
non-PRC enterprise shareholders and potentially 20% to our non-PRC individual shareholders on
dividends we pay to them if such dividends are derived from profits generated after January 1, 2008
and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC shareholders from disposition of our shares or
ADSs, if such dividends or gains are determined to have been derived from sources within China. The
New EIT Law and its implementing rules as well as other PRC tax regulations are unclear as to how
to determine the sources of such dividends or gains. See Item 3. Key Information D. Risk
Factors Risks Relating to Regulation of Our Business Under the New EIT Law, we may be classified as a resident enterprise of China. Such
classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and U.S. holders of our
ADSs or ordinary shares.
If we are not deemed as a resident enterprise, then dividends payable to our non-PRC
shareholders and gains from disposition of our shares of ADSs by our non-PRC shareholders will not
be subject to PRC income tax withholding.
United States Federal Income Taxation
This discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders
(as defined below) of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares. This
discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal gift or estate tax, or the state, local or
non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs and ordinary shares. This discussion applies
to you only if you beneficially own our ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets for tax purposes.
This discussion does not apply to U.S. Holders who are members of a class of holders subject to
special rules, such as:
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dealers in securities or currencies;
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traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting
for securities holdings; |
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banks or certain financial institutions; |
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insurance companies; |
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tax-exempt organizations; |
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partnerships or other entities treated as partnerships or other pass-through
entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares through any such entities; |
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regulated investments companies or real estate investment trusts; |
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persons that hold ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a hedge, straddle,
constructive sale, conversion transaction or other integrated investment; |
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persons whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar; |
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persons liable for alternative minimum tax; or |
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persons who actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of our shares (including ADSs and ordinary shares)
entitled to vote. |
This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer
to in this discussion as the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations
promulgated thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as of the date hereof. These
laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this discussion relies on
our assumptions regarding the value of our ADSs and ordinary shares and the nature of our business
over time. Finally, this discussion is based in part upon the representation of the depositary and
the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be
performed in accordance with its terms.
Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisor concerning the particular
U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ADSs
and ordinary shares, as well as the consequences to them arising under the laws of any other taxing
jurisdiction.
For purposes of the U.S. federal income tax discussion below, you are a U.S. Holder if you
beneficially own ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of
the Code and are:
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a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax
purposes; |
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a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, that was created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia; |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless
of its source; or |
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a trust if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to
control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (b) the trust has a valid election
in effect to be treated as a U.S. person. |
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, income earned through a U.S. or non-U.S. partnership or
other flow-through entity is attributed to its owners. Accordingly, if a partnership or other
flow-through entity holds ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax treatment of the holder will depend on
the status of the partner or other owner and the activities of the partnership or other
flow-through entity.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that intermediaries in the chain of ownership between
the holder of an ADS and the issuer of the security underlying the ADS may be taking actions that
are inconsistent
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with the claiming of foreign tax credits for U.S. holders of ADSs. Such actions
would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, as described below,
applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate holders. Accordingly, the availability of
the reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain non-corporate holders could be affected by
actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holder of an ADS and our
company.
Dividends on ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the Passive Foreign Investment Company discussion below, if we make distributions
and you are a U.S. Holder, the gross amount of any distributions with respect to your ADSs and
ordinary shares (including the amount of any taxes withheld therefrom) will be includible in your
gross income on the day you actually or constructively receive such income as dividend income if
the distributions are made from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, calculated
according to U.S. federal income tax principles. With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders,
certain dividends received in taxable yeaers beginning before January 1, 2011 from a qualified
foreign corporation may be subject to a reduced rate of taxation. A non-U.S. corporation is treated
as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends from that corporation on shares (or
ADSs backed by such shares) that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the
United States. U.S. Treasury Department guidance indicates that our ADSs, which are listed on the
Nasdaq Global Market, but not our ordinary shares, will be readily tradable on anestablished
securities market in the United States. You should consult your own tax advisor as to the rate of
tax that will apply to you with respect to dividend distributions, if any, that you receive from
us.
Subject to the Passive Foreign Investment Company discussion below, to the extent, if any,
that the amount of any distribution by us on ADSs or ordinary shares exceeds our current and
accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, it will be
treated first as a tax-free return of the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary
shares and thereafter as capital gain. However, we do not intend to calculate our earnings and
profits according to U.S. federal income tax principles. Accordingly, distributions on our ADSs or
ordinary shares, if any, will generally be reported to you as dividend distributions for U.S. tax
purposes. Corporations will not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to
distributions made by us. Dividends may constitute foreign source passive income for purposes of
the U.S. foreign tax credit rules. You should consult your own tax advisors as to your ability, and
the various limitations on your ability, to claim foreign tax credits in connection with the
receipt of dividends.
Sales and Other Dispositions of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the Passive Foreign Investment Company discussion below, when you sell or
otherwise dispose of ADSs or ordinary shares, you will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount
equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other disposition and your
adjusted tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares. Any such gain or losses that you recognize will
be treated as U.S. source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Your adjusted tax
basis will equal the amount you paid for the ADSs or ordinary shares. Any gain or loss you
recognize will be long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period in our ADSs or ordinary
shares is more than one year at the time of disposition. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder,
including an individual, any such long-term capital gain will be taxed at preferential rates
(generally 15% for capital gain recognized before January 1, 2011). Your ability to deduct capital
losses will be subject to various limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
We believe that we were not a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal
income tax purposes for our taxable year ended March 31, 2009, and we do not expect to be a PFIC in
any future taxable year. However, PFIC status is tested each year and depends on the composition of
our assets and income and the value of our assets from time to time. Since we currently hold, and
expect to continue to hold, a substantial amount of cash and other passive assets and, since the
value of our assets is to be determined in large part by reference to the market prices of our ADSs
and ordinary shares, which is likely to fluctuate over time, there can be no assurance that we will
not be a PFIC for any taxable year. Our special U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to
our expectations in this paragraph.
We will be classified as a PFIC in any taxable year if either: (a) the average quarterly value
of our gross assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income is
at least 50% of the average
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quarterly value of our total gross assets or (b) 75% or more of our
gross income for the taxable year is passive income (such as certain dividends, interest or
royalties). For purposes of the first test: (a) any cash and cash invested in short-term, interest
bearing, debt instruments, or bank deposits that are readily convertible into cash will count as
producing passive income or held for the production of passive income, and (b) the total value of
our assets is calculated based on our market capitalization.
We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our
proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly,
at least 25% (by value) of the stock.
If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which you held ADSs or ordinary shares, certain
adverse U.S. federal income tax rules would apply. You would be subject to additional taxes and
interest charges on certain excess distributions we make and on any gain realized on the
disposition or deemed disposition of your ADSs or ordinary shares, regardless of whether we
continue to be a PFIC in the year in which you receive an excess distribution or dispose of or
are deemed to dispose of your ADSs or ordinary shares. Distributions in respect of your ADSs or
ordinary shares during a taxable year would constitute excess distributions if, in the aggregate,
they exceed 125% of the average amount of distributions with respect to your ADSs or ordinary
shares over the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the portion of your holding period
before such taxable year.
To compute the tax on excess distributions or any gain, (a) the excess distribution or the
gain would be allocated ratably to each day in your holding period, (b) the amount allocated to the
current year and any tax year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC would be
taxed as ordinary income in the current year, (c) the amount allocated to other taxable years would
be taxable at the highest applicable marginal rate in effect for that year, and (d) an interest
charge at the rate for underpayment of taxes for any period described under (c) above would be
imposed with respect to any portion of the excess distribution or gain that is allocated to such
period. In addition, if we were a PFIC, no distribution that you receive from us would qualify for
taxation at the preferential rate discussed in the Dividends on ADSs or Ordinary Shares section
above.
Under certain attribution rules, if we are a PFIC, you will be deemed to own your
proportionate share of lower-tier PFICs, and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on (a) a
distribution on the shares of a lower-tier PFIC and (b) a disposition of shares of a lower-tier
PFIC, both as if you directly held the shares of such lower-tier PFIC.
If we were a PFIC in any year, as a U.S. Holder, you would be required to make an annual
return on IRS Form 8621 regarding your ADSs and ordinary shares. You should consult with your own
tax advisor regarding reporting requirements with regard to your ADSs and ordinary shares.
If we were a PFIC in any year, you would generally be able to avoid the excess distribution
rules described above by making a timely so-called mark-to-market election with respect to your
ADSs provided our ADSs are marketable. Our ADSs will be marketable as long as they remain
regularly traded on a national securities exchange, such as the Nasdaq Global Market. If you made
this election in a timely fashion, you would recognize as ordinary income or ordinary loss the
difference between the fair market value of your ADSs on the first day of any taxable year and
their value on the last day of that taxable year. Any ordinary income resulting from this election
would be taxed at ordinary income rates and would not be eligible for the reduced rate of tax
applicable to qualified dividend income. Any ordinary losses would be limited to the extent of the
net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election, if any. Your
basis in the ADSs would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss. You should consult your own
tax advisor regarding potential advantages and disadvantages to you of making a mark-to-market
election with respect to your ADSs. The mark-to-market
election will not be available for any lower tier PFIC that is deemed owned pursuant to the
attribution rules discussed above. We do not intend to provide you with the information you would
need to make or maintain a Qualified Electing Fund election and you will. Therefore, although we
do not expect to be a PFIC, therefore, not be able to make or maintain such an election with
respect to your ADSs or ordinary shares.
U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Rules
Dividend payments with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares and the proceeds received on the
sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the
IRS and to backup withholding (currently imposed at a rate of 28%). Backup withholding will not
apply, however, if you (a) are a corporation or come within certain other exempt categories and,
when required, can demonstrate that fact or (b)
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provide a taxpayer identification number, certify
as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise comply with the applicable backup
withholding rules. To establish your status as an exempt person, you will be required to provide
certification on IRS Form W-9. Any amounts withheld from payments to you under the backup
withholding rules that exceed your U.S. federal income tax liability will be allowed as a refund or
a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that you furnish the required
information to the IRS.
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF OUR ADSS AND ORDINARY SHARES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISOR
REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS
WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM PURCHASING, HOLDING OR DISPOSING OF OUR ADSS AND
ORDINARY SHARES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF THE TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR
FOREIGN JURISDICTION AND INCLUDING ESTATE, GIFT AND INHERITANCE LAWS.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Experts.
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission our registration statement on
Form F-1 as amended.
We have filed this annual report on Form 20-F with the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements made in this annual report as to
the contents of any document referred to are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such
document filed as an exhibit to this annual report, reference is made to the exhibit for a more
complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in
its entirety by such reference.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and file reports and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Reports and other information which
the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including this annual report on Form
20-F, may be inspected and copied at the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange
Commission at 100 F Street, N.E. Washington D.C. 20549.
You can also obtain copies of this annual report on Form 20-F by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Additionally, copies of this material may be obtained from the
Securities and Exchange Commissions Internet site at http://www.sec.gov . The Commissions
telephone number is 1-800-SEC-0330.
I. Subsidiaries Information
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate risk primarily relates to interest income generated by excess
cash, which is mostly held in interest-bearing bank deposits. We have not used derivative financial
instruments in our investment portfolio. Interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest
rate risk. We have not been exposed, nor do we
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anticipate being exposed, to material risks due to
changes in market interest rates. However, our future interest income may fall short of
expectations due to changes in market interest rates.
Foreign Currency Risk
A substantial majority of our revenues and expenditures are denominated in Renminbi. As a
result, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Renminbi will affect our
financial results in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our
business or results of operations. The Renminbis exchange rate with the U.S. dollar and other
currencies is affected by, among other things, changes in Chinas political and economic
conditions. The exchange rate for conversion of Renminbi into foreign currencies is heavily
influenced by intervention in the foreign exchange market by the Peoples Bank of China. From 1995
until July 2005, the Peoples Bank of China intervened in the foreign exchange market to maintain
an exchange rate of approximately 8.3 Renminbi per U.S. dollar. On July 21, 2005, the Chinese
government changed this policy and began allowing modest appreciation of the Renminbi versus the
U.S. dollar. However, the Renminbi is restricted to a rise or fall of no more than 0.5% per day
versus the U.S. dollar, and the Peoples Bank of China continues to intervene in the foreign
exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the Renminbi exchange rate.
Nevertheless, under Chinas current exchange rate regime, the Renminbi may appreciate or depreciate
significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. See Item 3.A. regarding
recent exchange rate movements between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar. There remains significant
international pressure on the Chinese government to adopt a substantial liberalization of its
currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of
the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
ATA Inc. and ATA BVIs functional currency became the U.S. dollar effective from February 2,
2008 due to the significant changes in ATA Inc.s and ATA BVIs economic facts and circumstances.
Net assets of ATA Inc. and ATA BVI accounted for 93.9% of our consolidated net assets as of March
31, 2009, which resulted in our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. Primarily as a result
of the appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar, the translation of the net assets of
ATA Inc. and ATA BVI to Renminbi during consolidation resulted in translation loss of RMB8.2
million ($1.2 million) which we recognized as a component of comprehensive loss as of March 31,
2009. If the Renminbi against U.S. dollar as of March 31, 2009 had further appreciated by 10% from
6.833 to 6.212 as of March 31, 2009, the translation loss would have increased by RMB27.4 million
($4.0 million)
Inflation
China has generally not experienced significant inflation in recent years. According to
Chinas National Bureau of Statistics, the change in Chinas consumer price index was 1.5%, 4.8%,
and 5.9% in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008, respectively. China has begun to experience deflation
recently, with Chinas consumer price index falling by 1.7% from June 2008 to June 2009. Neither inflation or deflation has had a material impact on our results of operations to date, and we do not currently expect
the recent deflation in China to have a significant effect on our operations.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The rights of securities holders have not been materially modified.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
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Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this annual report, an evaluation has been carried out
under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive
officer and our chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our
disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our
chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures are effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in this
annual report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported to them for assessment, and required
disclosure is made within the time period specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over
financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, for our company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed
to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of
records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of a companys assets, (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that a companys receipts and expenditures are being made only in
accordance with authorizations of a companys management and directors, and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition
of a companys assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can
provide only reasonable assurance with respect to consolidated financial statement preparation and
presentation and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules as promulgated
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2009 using criteria established in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission.
Based on this assessment, management concluded that the internal control over financial
reporting was effective as of March 31, 2009 based on the criteria established in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission.
We acquired JDX BVI and Beijing JDX on February 28, 2009 and management excluded from its
assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31,
2009, JDX BVI and Beijing JDXs internal control over financial reporting associated with total
assets of RMB4.3 million and total revenues of RMB96,925 included in our consolidated financial
statements as of and for the year ended March 31, 2009.
KPMG, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2009, as stated in their report which is
included below.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
ATA, Inc.:
We have audited ATA Inc.s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2009, based on
criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). ATA Inc.s management is responsible
for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying
Managements Report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys internal control
over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing
and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed
risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A
companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1)
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company;
and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or
detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, ATA Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over
financial reporting as of March 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission.
The Company acquired JDX Holdings Limited and Beijing JinDiXin Software Technology Limited
(collectively referred to as JDX thereafter) during the year ended March 31, 2009 and management
excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting as of March 31, 2009, JDXs internal control over financial reporting associated with
total assets of RMB4,298,592 and total revenues of RMB96,925 included in the consolidated financial
statements of the Company as of and for the year ended March 31, 2009. Our audit of internal
control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control
over financial reporting of JDX.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of ATA Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31,
2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity and
comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
March 31, 2009, and our report dated September 14, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG
KPMG
Hong Kong, China
September 14, 2009
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that have materially
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
103
Our audit committee consists of Hope Ni and Alec Tsui. Hope Ni is the chairman of our audit
committee. Our board of directors has determined that Hope Ni and Alec Tsui are independent
directors within the meaning of Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for
independence set forth in Rule 10A-3(b) of the Exchange Act. Hope Ni meets the criteria of an audit
committee financial expert as set forth under the applicable rules of the SEC.
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
Our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that is applicable to our senior executive
and financial officers. In addition, our board of directors adopted a code of conduct that is
applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees. Our code of ethics and our code of
conduct are publicly available on our web site, http://www.ata.net.cn .
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection
with certain professional services rendered by KPMG, our principal external auditors, for the
periods indicated. We did not pay any tax related or other fees to our auditors during the periods
indicated below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year ended March 31, |
|
|
2008 |
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
|
US$ |
Audit fees (1) |
|
|
6,827,828 |
|
|
|
5,489,833 |
|
|
|
803,441 |
|
Audit-related fees (2) |
|
|
5,313,965 |
|
|
|
1,673,101 |
|
|
|
244,860 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees means the aggregate fees billed or payable for professional services rendered
by our independent auditor for the audit of our consolidated financial statements. |
|
(2) |
|
Audit-related fees means the aggregate fees billed or payable for assurance and related
services by our independent auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the
audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under Audit
fees. Services comprising the fees disclosed under the category of Audit-related fees in
fiscal years 2008 and 2009 involve principally the quarterly and half-year review of our
consolidated financial statements, and the issuance of comfort letter and rendering of
listing advice in connection with our initial public offering. |
The audit committee or our board of directors is to pre-approve all auditing services and
permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our independent registered public accounting
firm, including the fees and terms thereof (subject to the de minimums exceptions for non-audit
services described in Section 10A(i)(l)(B) of the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit
committee or our board of directors prior to the completion of the audit).
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
None.
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) Total Number |
|
(d) Maximum |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of ADSs |
|
Approximate Dollar |
|
|
(a) Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased as Part |
|
Value of ADSs that May |
|
|
Number |
|
(b) Average |
|
of |
|
Yet |
|
|
of ADSs |
|
Price |
|
Publicly |
|
Be Purchased Under the |
Period |
|
Purchased |
|
Paid per ADS1 |
|
Announced Plan1 |
|
Plan1, 2 |
November 1 November 30, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5.5942 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,670,428 |
|
|
|
|
58,809 |
|
|
(RMB38.2246 |
) |
|
|
58,809 |
|
|
(RMB31,912,567 |
) |
December 1
December 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5.4164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,856,790 |
|
|
|
|
149,104 |
|
|
(RMB37.0097 |
) |
|
|
207,913 |
|
|
(RMB26,353,060 |
) |
January 1 January 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 1 February 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.7818 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,720,429 |
|
|
|
|
27,674 |
|
|
(RMB32.6736 |
) |
|
|
235,587 |
|
|
(RMB25,421,319 |
) |
March 1 March 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.9580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,516,304 |
|
|
|
|
40,520 |
|
|
(RMB33.8775 |
) |
|
|
276,107 |
|
|
(RMB24,026,554 |
) |
104
|
|
|
1 |
|
All translations from U.S. dollar to Renminbi were made at a rate of RMB6.8329 to US$1.00, which was the noon buying rate in effect as of March 31,
2009. |
|
2 |
|
On November 13, 2008, we announced a share repurchase
plan. Under the plan, we are approved to repurchase up to US$5.0 million worth of our outstanding
ADSs from time to time over the next 12 months. |
Other
than shown in the table above, there were no other repurchases during
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANTS CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As a foreign private issuer with shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Market we are subject to
corporate governance requirements imposed by Nasdaq. Under Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5615(a)(3), a
foreign private issuer such as us may follow its home-country corporate governance practices in
lieu of certain of the Nasdaq Stock Market Rules corporate governance requirements. We are
committed to a high standard of corporate governance. As such, we strive to comply with most of the
Nasdaq corporate governance practices. However, our current corporate governance practices differ
from Nasdaq corporate governance requirements for U.S. companies in certain respects, as summarized
below:
|
|
|
Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(c)(2) requires a Nasdaq listed company to have
an audit committee composed of at least three independent members, In this regard
we have elected to adopt the practices of our home country, the Cayman Islands,
which does not require us to have a three member audit committee or to fill all
three seats on the audit committee at this time. |
|
|
|
|
Nasdaq Stock Market Rule 5605(e)(1) requires a Nasdaq listed company to have a
nominations committee composed solely of independent directors to select or
recommend for selection director nominees. In this regard we have elected to
adopt the practices of our home country, the Cayman Islands, which does not
require that any of the members of a companys nominations committee be
independent directors. |
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our consolidated financial statements are included at the end of this annual report.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
Index to Exhibits
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
|
|
Third Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant.* |
|
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
Form of Common Share Certificate.* |
|
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
Form of Deposit Agreement between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A., as depositary. (1) |
105
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
2.3
|
|
|
|
Form of American depositary receipt evidencing American depositary shares (included in Exhibit 2.2).* |
|
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
Shareholders Agreement, dated November 10, 2006, among the Registrant and its shareholders party
thereto.* |
|
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, dated November 10, 2006, among the Registrant and its
shareholders party thereto.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
|
2005 Share Incentive Plan of ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
|
|
2008 Employee Share Incentive Plan of the Registrant and form of ISO Option Agreement and NQSO
Option Agreement.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
|
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its directors.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
Master Service Agreement between Microsoft (China) Co., Ltd. and ATA Testing Authority, (Beijing)
Limited, dated May 16, 2003 and the Addendum to Master Service Agreement, dated June 8, 2006 (omits
certain information for which confidential treatment has been requested; an unredacted version of
this document has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission).* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
|
Technical Support Agreement between ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited and ATA
Learning (Beijing) Inc., dated October 27, 2006.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
|
|
Strategic Consulting Service Agreement between ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited and
ATA Learning (Beijing) Inc., dated October 27, 2006.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
|
|
Loan Agreement between ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited and Xiaofeng Ma, dated October 27,
2006, which was amended on February 12, 2007.* |
|
4.7.1
|
|
|
|
Amendment to Loan Agreement between
ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited and Xiaofeng Ma, dated July
7, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
|
|
Loan Agreement between ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited and Lin Wang, dated October 27,
2006, which was amended on February 12, 2007.* |
|
4.8.1
|
|
|
|
Amendment to Loan Agreement between
ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited and Lin Wang, dated July 7,
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
|
Call Option and Cooperation Agreement among ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited, Xiaofeng Ma,
Lin Wang, Jianguo Wang and ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited, dated October 27,
2006.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
|
|
Framework Agreement for Option Right Exercise among ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited, Lin
Wang, Jianguo Wang, ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited and ATA Learning (Beijing)
Inc., dated February 12, 2007.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
|
|
Option Exercise Notice between ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited and Jianguo Wang, dated
February 12, 2007.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
|
|
Call Option and Cooperation Agreement among ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited, Xiaofeng Ma,
Lin Wang and ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology Limited, dated February 12, 2007.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
|
|
Equity Pledge Agreement among Xiaofeng Ma, Lin Wang and ATA Learning (Beijing) Inc., dated February
12, 2007.* |
|
|
|
|
|
4.14
|
|
|
|
Extended Control Agreement among Xiaofeng Ma, Lin Wang, ATA Online (Beijing) Education Technology
Limited, ATA Learning (Beijing) Inc., and ATA Testing Authority (Holdings) Limited, amending the
Technical Support Agreement (Exhibit 4.5), the Strategic Consulting Service Agreement (Exhibit 4.6),
the Call Option and Cooperation Agreement (Exhibit 4.12), and the Equity Pledge Agreement (4.13),
dated July 7, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
4.15
|
|
|
|
Purchase Agreement Translation
(8th Floor) |
|
|
|
|
|
4.16
|
|
|
|
Purchase Agreement Translation (16th Floor) |
|
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
|
List of Subsidiaries. |
|
|
|
|
|
11.1
|
|
|
|
Code of Conduct.* |
|
|
|
|
|
12.1
|
|
|
|
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
12.2
|
|
|
|
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
13.1
|
|
|
|
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
13.2
|
|
|
|
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
|
|
Consent of KPMG. |
|
|
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
|
|
Consent of Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited |
|
23.3
|
|
|
|
Consent of Jincheng Tongda
& Neal Law Firm |
106
|
|
|
* |
|
Previously filed with the Registrants registration statement on Form F-1 (File No.
333-148512), as amended. |
|
(1) |
|
Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-148641)
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to American depositary shares
representing our common shares. |
107
SIGNATURE
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F
and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its
behalf.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATA INC. |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Carl Yeung |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
Title:
|
|
Carl Yeung
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
Date: September 15, 2009
S-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
ATA, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ATA, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
March 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders
equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended March 31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of ATA, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2009 and
2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended March 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (Untied States), ATA, Inc.s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2009,
based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our
report dated September 14, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended March 31, 2009 have
been translated into United States dollars solely for the convenience of the reader. We have
audited the translation and, in our opinion, such financial statements expressed in Renminbi have
been translated into United States dollars on the basis set forth in Note 2(d) to the consolidated
financial statements.
/s/ KPMG
Hong Kong, China
September 14, 2009
F-1
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2008 and 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
Note |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
USD |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
332,196,672 |
|
|
|
310,503,071 |
|
|
|
45,442,356 |
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
63,502,408 |
|
|
|
71,076,794 |
|
|
|
10,402,142 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,951,966 |
|
|
|
2,287,260 |
|
|
|
334,742 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
4,657,608 |
|
|
|
15,134,804 |
|
|
|
2,214,990 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
403,308,654 |
|
|
|
399,001,929 |
|
|
|
58,394,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
10,668,300 |
|
|
|
20,987,472 |
|
|
|
3,071,532 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
6,880,123 |
|
|
|
23,422,850 |
|
|
|
3,427,951 |
|
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,994,261 |
|
|
|
3,804,280 |
|
Deposit for an acquisition |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
4,706,596 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,070,071 |
|
|
|
1,838,544 |
|
|
|
269,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
436,633,744 |
|
|
|
471,245,056 |
|
|
|
68,967,065 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
29,822,313 |
|
|
|
44,950,280 |
|
|
|
6,578,507 |
|
Deferred revenues |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
36,707,916 |
|
|
|
40,238,256 |
|
|
|
5,888,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
66,530,229 |
|
|
|
85,188,536 |
|
|
|
12,467,406 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenues |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
7,025,971 |
|
|
|
5,626,153 |
|
|
|
823,392 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
189,583 |
|
|
|
27,745 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,556,200 |
|
|
|
91,004,272 |
|
|
|
13,318,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Par value: USD0.01; |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized: 500,000,000 shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued and outstanding: 47,210,232, and 45,675,514 shares
as of March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively; |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
3,656,210 |
|
|
|
3,503,619 |
|
|
|
512,757 |
|
Treasury shares 3,579,320 and 552,214 common shares
as of March 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, at cost |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(16,106,940 |
) |
|
|
(10,126,861 |
) |
|
|
(1,482,074 |
) |
Receivable from shareholders |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,226,173 |
) |
|
|
(764,854 |
) |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
498,374,024 |
|
|
|
500,350,068 |
|
|
|
73,226,605 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
2(d |
) |
|
|
(7,933,512 |
) |
|
|
(16,157,846 |
) |
|
|
(2,364,713 |
) |
Accumulated deficit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(114,912,238 |
) |
|
|
(92,102,023 |
) |
|
|
(13,479,199 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
363,077,544 |
|
|
|
380,240,784 |
|
|
|
55,648,522 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
(2(e), 16 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
436,633,744 |
|
|
|
471,245,056 |
|
|
|
68,967,065 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 2
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
Note |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
USD |
|
Net revenues |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,075,778 |
|
|
|
34,050,222 |
|
|
|
16,070,049 |
|
|
|
2,351,864 |
|
Service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,805,099 |
|
|
|
138,038,005 |
|
|
|
201,475,254 |
|
|
|
29,486,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,880,877 |
|
|
|
172,088,227 |
|
|
|
217,545,303 |
|
|
|
31,837,917 |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,101,688 |
|
|
|
66,947,419 |
|
|
|
92,608,631 |
|
|
|
13,553,342 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,779,189 |
|
|
|
105,140,808 |
|
|
|
124,936,672 |
|
|
|
18,284,575 |
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,322,068 |
|
|
|
12,882,428 |
|
|
|
16,240,618 |
|
|
|
2,376,826 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,028,895 |
|
|
|
28,804,487 |
|
|
|
24,921,910 |
|
|
|
3,647,340 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
32,024,170 |
|
|
|
40,026,341 |
|
|
|
57,386,622 |
|
|
|
8,398,575 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,375,133 |
|
|
|
81,713,256 |
|
|
|
98,549,150 |
|
|
|
14,422,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,595,944 |
) |
|
|
23,427,552 |
|
|
|
26,387,522 |
|
|
|
3,861,834 |
|
Equity in net losses of affiliates |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(187,168 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from sale of an affiliate |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,837,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from liquidation of an affiliate |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
1,509,228 |
|
|
|
988,133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
599,872 |
|
|
|
473,739 |
|
|
|
395,108 |
|
|
|
57,824 |
|
Subsidy income |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
|
292,701 |
|
Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(908,998 |
) |
|
|
(235,742 |
) |
|
|
665,558 |
|
|
|
97,405 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,583,010 |
) |
|
|
27,491,133 |
|
|
|
29,448,188 |
|
|
|
4,309,764 |
|
Income tax benefit (expense) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
1,793,158 |
|
|
|
(7,321,354 |
) |
|
|
(6,637,973 |
) |
|
|
(971,472 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,789,852 |
) |
|
|
20,169,779 |
|
|
|
22,810,215 |
|
|
|
3,338,292 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per common share |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|
0.79 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|
0.53 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 3
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible preferred shares |
|
|
Common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivable |
|
|
Additional |
|
|
other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury |
|
|
from |
|
|
paid-in |
|
|
comprehensive |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
shareholders |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
|
shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
shares |
|
|
shareholders |
|
|
capital |
|
|
loss |
|
|
deficit |
|
|
equity |
|
|
income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Balance as of March 31, 2006 |
|
|
6,628,369 |
|
|
|
533,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000,000 |
|
|
|
1,655,313 |
|
|
|
(16,106,940 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
158,102,092 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(118,292,165 |
) |
|
|
25,891,751 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of preferred share warrant and issuance of
Series A-1 convertible preferred shares
(See Note 14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
883,783 |
|
|
|
70,848 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,978,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,049,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of common share warrant and issuance of
common shares (See Note 14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,479,452 |
|
|
|
438,564 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,561,436 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,497,318 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,497,318 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,789,852 |
) |
|
|
(16,789,852 |
) |
|
|
(16,789,852 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,789,852 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2007 |
|
|
6,628,369 |
|
|
|
533,451 |
|
|
|
883,783 |
|
|
|
70,848 |
|
|
|
25,479,452 |
|
|
|
2,093,877 |
|
|
|
(16,106,940 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
203,139,446 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(135,082,017 |
) |
|
|
54,648,665 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Series A and A-1 preferred shares into
common shares (See Note 14) |
|
|
(6,628,369 |
) |
|
|
(533,451 |
) |
|
|
(883,783 |
) |
|
|
(70,848 |
) |
|
|
11,730,554 |
|
|
|
843,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(239,163 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of common shares upon initial public offering
(IPO), net of issuance costs of RMB28,899,914 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,000,226 |
|
|
|
718,871 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
287,942,477 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
288,661,348 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of common share warrant (See Note 3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278,744 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278,744 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,252,520 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,252,520 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,169,779 |
|
|
|
20,169,779 |
|
|
|
20,169,779 |
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,933,512 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,933,512 |
) |
|
|
(7,933,512 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,236,267 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,210,232 |
|
|
|
3,656,210 |
|
|
|
(16,106,940 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
498,374,024 |
|
|
|
(7,933,512 |
) |
|
|
(114,912,238 |
) |
|
|
363,077,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement of treasury shares (See Note 14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,579,327 |
) |
|
|
(295,799 |
) |
|
|
16,106,940 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,811,141 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense (See Note 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,242,549 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,242,549 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense for shares options
modified (See Note 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
354,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
354,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of common shares (See Note 14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,126,861 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,126,861 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of common share option and warrant and
issuance of common shares (See Note 14) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,044,609 |
|
|
|
143,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,226,173 |
) |
|
|
11,836,255 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,753,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revaluation of warrant grant to JDX sellers (See Note
3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
353,401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
353,401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,810,215 |
|
|
|
22,810,215 |
|
|
|
22,810,215 |
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of nil tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,224,334 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,224,334 |
) |
|
|
(8,224,334 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,585,881 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,675,514 |
|
|
|
3,503,619 |
|
|
|
(10,126,861 |
) |
|
|
(5,226,173 |
) |
|
|
500,350,068 |
|
|
|
(16,157,846 |
) |
|
|
(92,102,023 |
) |
|
|
380,240,784 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2009-USD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
512,757 |
|
|
|
(1,482,074 |
) |
|
|
(764,854 |
) |
|
|
73,226,605 |
|
|
|
(2,364,713 |
) |
|
|
(13,479,199 |
) |
|
|
55,648,522 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 4
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
USD |
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
(16,789,852 |
) |
|
|
20,169,779 |
|
|
|
22,810,215 |
|
|
|
3,338,292 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in net losses of affiliates |
|
|
187,168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from sale of an affiliate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,837,451 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from liquidation of an affiliate |
|
|
(1,509,228 |
) |
|
|
(988,133 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss (gain) |
|
|
162,562 |
|
|
|
(627,661 |
) |
|
|
(685,420 |
) |
|
|
(100,312 |
) |
Bad debt expense |
|
|
499,729 |
|
|
|
1,655,412 |
|
|
|
9,831,940 |
|
|
|
1,438,912 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
1,836,675 |
|
|
|
2,699,449 |
|
|
|
5,206,412 |
|
|
|
761,962 |
|
Gain from disposal of property and equipment |
|
|
(1,667 |
) |
|
|
(156,984 |
) |
|
|
36,752 |
|
|
|
5,379 |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
2,497,318 |
|
|
|
7,252,520 |
|
|
|
5,597,529 |
|
|
|
819,203 |
|
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
(1,819,345 |
) |
|
|
1,523,347 |
|
|
|
(2,248,715 |
) |
|
|
(329,101 |
) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of
effect of an acquisition: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
(4,493,002 |
) |
|
|
(48,180,169 |
) |
|
|
(13,408,126 |
) |
|
|
(1,962,289 |
) |
Due from related parties |
|
|
870,036 |
|
|
|
19,770 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
(89,159 |
) |
|
|
(546,054 |
) |
|
|
664,706 |
|
|
|
97,280 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
|
(7,065,627 |
) |
|
|
2,731,225 |
|
|
|
(1,179,349 |
) |
|
|
(172,599 |
) |
Other assets |
|
|
1,128,494 |
|
|
|
(136,300 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to related parties |
|
|
(163,633 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables |
|
|
4,882,412 |
|
|
|
8,230,080 |
|
|
|
5,256,286 |
|
|
|
769,261 |
|
Deferred revenues |
|
|
3,342,639 |
|
|
|
9,495,634 |
|
|
|
(344,078 |
) |
|
|
(50,356 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
(16,524,480 |
) |
|
|
304,464 |
|
|
|
31,538,152 |
|
|
|
4,615,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
(4,720,600 |
) |
|
|
(5,722,766 |
) |
|
|
(34,687,939 |
) |
|
|
(5,076,606 |
) |
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
55,185 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from disposal or liquidation of affiliates |
|
|
2,279,141 |
|
|
|
4,988,133 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for deposit/consideration of an acquisition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,427,852 |
) |
|
|
(365,434 |
) |
|
|
(53,482 |
) |
Advances and loans to related parties |
|
|
(1,655,213 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collection of advances and loans to related parties |
|
|
5,133,746 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
1,052,074 |
|
|
|
(5,107,300 |
) |
|
|
(35,053,373 |
) |
|
|
(5,130,088 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from initial public offering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
317,561,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of common shares |
|
|
19,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,031,575 |
|
|
|
150,972 |
|
Proceeds from issuance of preferred shares |
|
|
24,049,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances received for exercise of common share warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,061,038 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for initial public offering costs |
|
|
(8,019,680 |
) |
|
|
(19,336,054 |
) |
|
|
(1,544,180 |
) |
|
|
(225,992 |
) |
Repurchase of common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,126,861 |
) |
|
|
(1,482,074 |
) |
Repayment of note payable |
|
|
(19,000,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
16,029,768 |
|
|
|
299,286,246 |
|
|
|
(10,639,466 |
) |
|
|
(1,557,094 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 5
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
For the Years Ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
USD |
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
(162,562 |
) |
|
|
(7,305,852 |
) |
|
|
(7,538,914 |
) |
|
|
(1,103,324 |
) |
Net (decrease) increase in cash |
|
|
394,800 |
|
|
|
287,177,558 |
|
|
|
(21,693,601 |
) |
|
|
(3,174,874 |
) |
Cash at beginning of year |
|
|
44,624,314 |
|
|
|
45,019,114 |
|
|
|
332,196,672 |
|
|
|
48,617,230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash at end of year |
|
|
45,019,114 |
|
|
|
332,196,672 |
|
|
|
310,503,071 |
|
|
|
45,442,356 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for income tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,273,015 |
|
|
|
8,853,919 |
|
|
|
1,295,778 |
|
Non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition purchase price payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,305,553 |
|
|
|
337,419 |
|
Acquisition of software and property, plant &
equipment on account |
|
|
|
|
|
|
156,500 |
|
|
|
1,028,600 |
|
|
|
150,536 |
|
Exercise of warrants in exchange for the purchase price consideration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,660,677 |
|
|
|
682,094 |
|
Exercise of share options paid by employee loan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,226,173 |
|
|
|
764,854 |
|
Cancellation of treasury shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,106,940 |
|
|
|
2,357,263 |
|
Warrant issued for acquisition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
278,744 |
|
|
|
353,401 |
|
|
|
51,720 |
|
Extinguishment of liability due to ATA Jiangsu |
|
|
1,480,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of Series A and A-1 preferred shares
into common shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
604,299 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 6
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(1) |
|
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS AND RISKS |
|
|
|
Description of Business and Organization |
|
|
|
ATA Inc. (the Company), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, ATA Testing Authority
(Holdings) Limited (ATA BVI), JDX Holdings Limited (JDX BVI), ATA Testing Authority
(Beijing) Limited (ATA Testing), Beijing JinDiXin Software Technology Limited (Beijing
JDX), ATA Learning (Beijing) Inc. (ATA Learning) and ATA Learning (Wuxi) Inc. (ATA Wuxi)
and its consolidated variable interest entity (VIE), ATA Online (Beijing) Education
Technology Limited (ATA Online) (collectively, referred to as the Group), provides
computer-based testing services, test-based educational services, test preparation and
training solutions and other related services in the Peoples Republic of China (the PRC). |
|
|
|
The Company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and is a holding company that does not
conduct any operations. As described in Note 3, on February 28, 2009, the Company acquired
JDX BVI and Beijing JDX and became the immediate parent company of JDX BVI and Beijing JDX. |
|
|
|
On February 1, 2008, the Company completed its initial public offering (IPO) by offering
9,748,024 common shares, represented by 4,874,012 American Depositary Shares (ADS) at
USD9.50 per ADS. On February 28, 2008, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option
and the Company issued an additional 252,202 common shares, represented by 126,101 ADSs at
USD9.50 per ADS. In connection with this initial public offering, the Company received
proceeds of RMB288,661,348, net of related offering expenses paid. The Companys ADSs are
listed on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ) in the United States of America. Each ADS
represents two common shares. |
|
|
|
Significant Concentrations and Risks |
|
|
|
The Group is subject to, among others, the following significant concentration and risks: |
|
|
|
Country risk |
|
|
|
The Group is subject to special considerations and risks associated with the PRC. These
include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic, legal and social
environment in the PRC, including the relative difficulty of protecting and enforcing
intellectual property rights in the PRC. The interpretation and application of current or
proposed requirements and regulations may have an adverse effect on the Groups business,
financial condition and result of operations. In addition, the ability to negotiate and
implement specific business development projects in a timely and favorable manner may be
impacted by political considerations unrelated to or beyond the control of the Group.
Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for almost three
decades, no assurance can be given that the PRC government will continue to pursue such
policies or that such policies may not be significantly altered. Any change in PRC government
policies and regulations affecting the education and testing service industry may have a
negative impact on the Groups operating results and financial condition. |
F - 7
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
Revenue concentration |
|
|
|
For the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, RMB46.5 million, RMB100.2 million and
RMB157.3 million, representing 54.7%, 58.3% and 72.3% of the Groups net revenues,
respectively, were generated from licensing and service fees from Chinese government
controlled entities including governmental agencies, educational institutions and industry
associations controlled by the PRC government. The demand for the Groups products and
services by these agencies and institutions are affected by government budgetary cycles,
funding availability and government policies. Funding reductions, reallocations or delays
could adversely impact demand for the Groups products and services or reduce the fees these
clients are willing to pay for such products and services. |
|
|
|
Net revenues to customers that individually exceeded 10% of the Groups net revenues are as
follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
MOHRSS (formerly
Ministry of Labor) |
|
|
10,440,353 |
|
|
|
12.3 |
% |
|
|
14,651,688 |
|
|
|
8.5 |
% |
|
|
17,542,872 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
% |
China Banking Association |
|
|
238,487 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
% |
|
|
30,451,076 |
|
|
|
17.7 |
% |
|
|
53,889,864 |
|
|
|
24.8 |
% |
Securities Association of China |
|
|
4,998,304 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
% |
|
|
19,628,804 |
|
|
|
11.4 |
% |
|
|
56,948,972 |
|
|
|
26.2 |
% |
|
|
Accounts receivable from customers that individually exceeded 10% of the Groups accounts
receivable are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
% |
|
Securities Association of China |
|
|
11,646,687 |
|
|
|
18.3 |
% |
|
|
17,898,940 |
|
|
|
25.2 |
% |
Jinan Tongye Co., Ltd. |
|
|
9,804,000 |
|
|
|
15.4 |
% |
|
|
6,108,000 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
% |
Shenzhen JieTeTong Co., Ltd. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,260,000 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
% |
|
|
Concentration of cash balances held at financial institutions |
|
|
|
The Groups cash are held in the mainland and in the Hong Kong Special Administration Region
(HKSAR) of the PRC as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Deposited in financial institutions in the
mainland of the PRC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Dominated in RMB |
|
|
31,537,108 |
|
|
|
65,294,697 |
|
- Dominated in USD |
|
|
7,967 |
|
|
|
7,502 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,545,075 |
|
|
|
65,302,199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposited in financial institutions in HKSAR
of the PRC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Dominated in Hong Kong dollar |
|
|
5,852,197 |
|
|
|
2,472,022 |
|
- Dominated in USD |
|
|
294,694,012 |
|
|
|
242,712,884 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
332,091,284 |
|
|
|
310,487,105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F - 8
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
Management believes that the financial institutions are of high credit quality. Cash
denominated in currencies other than RMB is subject to foreign currency risk due to the
appreciation or depreciation of RMB under the current exchange rate regime in the PRC. |
|
(2) |
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
|
(a) |
|
Principles of consolidation |
|
|
|
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its
subsidiaries and VIE which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. The Company has
adopted FASB Interpretation No. 46 Revised, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an
Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (FIN 46R) issued by Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB). FIN 46R requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated by the primary
beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the
characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk
for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support
from other parties. |
|
|
|
PRC regulations prohibit direct foreign ownership of business entities that engage in
internet content provision (ICP) services in the PRC. The Company and its subsidiaries are
foreign owned business entities under the PRC law and accordingly are prohibited from
providing ICP services in the PRC, including having direct foreign ownership of entities
engaged in providing such services. ATA Online provides ICP online test preparation services
in the PRC. Although the Company has no legal ownership interest in ATA Online, the Company
has economic controlling interest over ATA Online through a series of contractual agreements,
including loan agreements, a call option and cooperation agreement, an equity pledge
agreement, a strategic consulting service agreement and a technical support agreement among
the Company, ATA Online and ATA Onlines equity owners. Through these agreements, the Company
absorbs a majority of ATA Onlines expected losses and receives a majority of ATA Onlines
expected residual returns and therefore the Company has determined that it is the primary
beneficiary of ATA Online. The financial statements of ATA Online have been included in the
consolidated financial statements of the Company since October 27, 2006, the date that the
contractual arrangements were entered into among ATA BVI, ATA Learning and ATA Online. The
Companys consolidated assets do not include any collateral for the obligations of ATA
Online. The carrying amount of the total assets of ATA Online as of March 31, 2009 was RMB
6,364,768 (USD931,489), none of which has been pledged or collateralized. The amount of the
net assets of ATA Online as of March 31, 2009 was RMB1,565,769(USD229,151). Furthermore,
creditors of ATA Online have no recourse of the general credit of the Company. |
|
(b) |
|
Basis of presentation |
|
|
|
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). |
|
(c) |
|
Use of estimates |
|
|
|
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management of
the Group to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and the 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. Such estimates include the fair values of share-based payments, financial and certain
equity instruments, the fair values of the net assets and liabilities acquired in a business
combination, the collectibility of accounts receivable, the realizability of deferred income
tax assets, the useful lives and residual values of long-lived assets, the recoverability of
the carrying values of
|
F - 9
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
long-lived assets and goodwill, and with respect to revenue recognition, the expected service
period for course programs and the expected licensing period for perpetual license . Actual
results could differ from those estimates. |
|
(d) |
|
Foreign currency translation and risks |
|
|
|
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been expressed in Renminbi (RMB),
the Companys reporting currency. |
|
|
|
Prior to February 1, 2008, the Company and ATA BVIs functional currency was RMB. On February
2, 2008, the functional currency of the Company and ATA BVI was changed to United States
dollar (U.S. dollar or USD) because of the significant changes in the Company and ATA
BVIs economic facts and circumstances upon the completion of the Companys IPO. The changes
resulted in the Company and ATA BVIs current and expected cash flows predominately
denominated in U.S. dollar. |
|
|
|
The functional currency of the Companys PRC subsidiaries and consolidated VIE is RMB.
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the RMB are translated into the RMB at the
exchange rates quoted by the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) prevailing at the dates of the
transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than RMB are
translated into RMB using the applicable exchange rates quoted by the PBOC at the balance
sheet dates. The resulting foreign exchange gains and losses are included in the consolidated
statements of operations in the line item Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net. |
|
|
|
Assets and liabilities of the Company and ATA BVI are translated into RMB using the
applicable exchange rate at each balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at
average rates prevailing during the year. The resulting foreign currency translation
adjustments are recognized as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss
within shareholders equity. |
|
|
|
For the convenience of the readers, the 2009 RMB amounts included in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements have been translated into USD at the rate of USD1.00 =
RMB6.8329, the noon buying rate for USD in effect on March 31, 2009 for cable transfer in RMB
per USD as certified for custom purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No
representation is made that the RMB amounts could have been, or could be, converted into USD
at that rate or at any other certain rate on March 31, 2009. |
|
(e) |
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
In the normal course of business, the Group is subject to contingencies, such as legal
proceedings and claims that cover a wide range of matters. Liabilities for such contingencies
are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the
assessment can be reasonably estimated. |
|
(f) |
|
Fair value measurements |
|
|
|
On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value
Measurements (SFAS No. 157) for fair value measurements of financial assets and financial
liabilities and for fair value measurements of nonfinancial items that are recognized or
disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157
defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS
No. 157 also establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about
fair value measurements (Note 19). FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB
Statement No. 157, (FSP FAS 157-2) delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 until fiscal
years beginning after
|
F - 10
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
November 15, 2008 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are
recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis. In
accordance with FSP FAS 157-2, the Company has not applied the provisions of SFAS No. 157 to
the initial measurement of intangible assets acquired in the business combination on February
28, 2009 (Note 3). |
|
|
|
On April 1, 2009, the Company will be required to apply the provisions of SFAS No. 157 to
fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are
recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis.
Management is in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, of applying these provisions
on its financial position and results of operations. |
|
|
|
In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value
of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset is Not Active, (FSP FAS 157-3) which
was effective immediately. FSP FAS 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS No. 157 in cases
where the market for a financial instrument is not active and provides an example to
illustrate key considerations in determining fair value in those circumstances. Management
has considered the guidance provided by FSP FAS 157-3 in its determination of estimated fair
values during the year ended March 31, 2009. |
|
(g) |
|
Revenue recognition |
|
|
|
The Groups revenues are principally derived from the provision of testing services,
test-based educational services and test preparation solutions. The Group recognizes revenues
when all of the followings have occurred: |
|
|
|
persuasive evidence of an agreement with the customer exists; |
|
|
|
|
services have been performed and/or delivery of goods has occurred; |
|
|
|
|
the fees for services performed and/or price of goods sold are fixed or
determinable; and |
|
|
|
|
collectibility of the fees and/or sales proceeds is reasonably assured. |
|
|
The application of the above criteria for revenue recognition for each type of service or
product is as follows: |
|
i) |
|
Testing services |
|
|
|
|
Licensing fees from test sponsors for test delivery services are recognized upon the
completion of the examination by all enrolled test takers since the Group has no
significant future involvement after the completion of the examination. Licensing fees
received in advance of test delivery are recorded as deferred revenue. The Group also
enters into licensing arrangements for use of the Dynamic Simulation Testing Technology
(DST) with test sponsors. Licensing fees from clients for use of the DST are
recognized in the quarter in which simulation testing technology licenses are
delivered, which is evidenced by the quarterly usage reports received from the
licensees. |
|
|
ii) |
|
Test-based educational services |
|
|
|
|
Licensing fees from educational institutions for degree major course programs are
recognized on a straight-line basis ratably over the contractual licensing period,
which typically starts in the month of September and ends in the month of June or
August of the following year, or 10 to 12 months. |
|
|
|
|
Licensing fees from educational institutions for single course programs are recognized
as |
F - 11
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
follows: (1) if the contracts do not have a definitive term of service period, the
Group estimates, based on historical experience, the percentage of contracts that will
be completed within 12 months, and recognizes revenue for such contracts on a
straight-line basis over a period of five months, which is the expected service period
based on historical averages; (2) for the percentage of contracts that are not expected
to be completed within 12 months, the Group does not recognize revenue until the course
is completed or upon receipt of confirmations from the educational institutions that no
further services were required; and (3) for all single course programs, which have a
definitive term of service period, the Group recognizes revenue on a straight-line
basis over the expected service period or the contractual period, whichever is shorter.
At the end of each reporting period upon the closing of the Groups financial records,
the Group compares the revenue recognized at the onset of the contracts to the actual
completion status of each contract, on a contract by contract basis, and makes any
revenue adjustments to reflect the actual completion status. |
|
|
|
|
Licensing fees from educational institutions for pre-occupational training programs are
recognized on a straight-line basis ratably over the training period, which is
approximately 2 to 3 months. |
|
|
|
|
The licensing fees are not refundable if the student fails to complete one or more of
the courses or the entire degree major course programs or fails any of the exams. |
|
|
iii) |
|
Test preparation and training solutions |
|
|
|
|
The Group derives test preparation and training solutions revenues from the sale of
training software products and online test preparation and training. |
|
a) |
|
Online test preparation and training service fees |
|
|
|
|
The Group sells online membership to end users directly or through distributors on
a consignment basis. The online membership entitles the end users the access to
online test preparation and training services during a specified service period,
which normally ranges between 90 to 180 days from the activation of the membership
account. |
|
|
|
|
Revenue of online membership is recognized on a straight-line basis ratably over
the service period commencing at the point of time the membership account is
activated. If the membership accounts sold to the end users are not activated
before the expiration date, related online service revenue is recognized on the
expiration date. For the membership accounts granted with fixed online hours, the
Group compares the revenue recognized to the actual completion status by account,
and makes any revenue adjustments to reflect the actual completion status. |
|
|
|
|
The Group is not contractually obligated, nor has the Group historically accepted
returns from end users. |
|
|
b) |
|
Training software products |
|
|
|
|
Training software products sales are recognized upon delivery and when
collectibility is reasonably assured. |
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to the laws and regulations of the PRC, ATA Testing and Beijing JDX are
entitled to a refund of VAT on certain software sales. The VAT refund represents
the amount of VAT collected from customers and paid to tax authorities in excess
of 3% of relevant sales. As the refund relates directly to sales, the Company
recognizes the VAT refund at the time the corresponding product is sold. VAT
refunds included in |
F - 12
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
revenue for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were RMB Nil, RMB
1,358,646 and RMB2,195,116, respectively. |
|
a) |
|
Licensing fees from authorized test centers |
|
|
|
|
The Group receives a fixed fee for a perpetual license or an initial fee plus
continuing annual fees for renewable annual license that provide the authorized
test center the right to use the Groups brand name and E-testing platform. The
Group is obligated to provide ongoing technical support and unspecific system
upgrades; and to provide training to authorized test centers staff. Initial fees
for renewable annual license and fixed fees for perpetual license are recognized
ratably over the expected licensing period of 10 years, which is the period the
Group is expected to have continuing involvement with the authorized test centers.
Management estimates the expected licensing period based on its historical
retention experience, factoring in the expected level of future competition, the
risk of technological obsolescence, technological innovation, and the expected
changes in the social environment. |
|
|
b) |
|
Test development services |
|
|
|
|
Test development service fees are recognized upon the acceptance of the developed
tests by the customer. The period to develop the tests is short, generally within
two to six months from commencement of development. |
|
v) |
|
Business tax |
|
|
|
|
Revenue is recorded, net of business tax. Business tax is levied on the Groups
service-related revenues generated in the PRC at 5%. Payments received or receivable in
advance of the rendering of services and payments received in advance of delivery of
products are recorded as deferred revenue. |
(h) |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
|
Cost of revenues consist primarily of cost of test monitoring, royalty fees for IT vendor
licensing arrangements, cost of inventories sold, payroll compensation, technical support,
and other related costs, which are directly attributable to the rendering of services and
delivery of goods. |
|
|
|
The test monitoring costs are recognized upon completion of examinations based on actual
number of test takers. The royalty fees paid to IT vendors are charged to expense based on
actual usage according to contract provisions, which typically occurs at the beginning of the
respective degree major course or single course program period. During the years ended March
31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, test monitoring costs of RMB3,903,886, RMB20,007,271 and
RMB45,164,785, respectively, and royalty fees of RMB19,030,182, RMB18,046,832, and
RMB13,530,229, respectively, were charged to the consolidated statements of operations as
cost of revenues. |
|
(i) |
|
Research and development costs |
|
|
|
Research and development costs primarily consist of software developed for internal use and
software developed for sale or lease. |
|
i) |
|
Software developed for internal use |
|
|
|
|
The Group recognizes development costs of software for internal use in accordance with
Statement of Position (SOP) No. 98-1, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use. The Group expenses all costs that are incurred |
F - 13
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
in connection with the planning and implementation phases of development of software.
Costs incurred in the development phase are capitalized and amortized over the
estimated product life. No costs were capitalized for all periods presented. |
|
|
ii) |
|
Software developed for sale or lease |
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No.
86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise
Marketed, costs incurred internally in researching and developing a computer software
product are charged to expense as research and development costs prior to technological
feasibility being established for the product. Once technological feasibility is
established, all computer software costs are capitalized until the product is available
for general release to customers. Technological feasibility is established upon
completion of all the activities that are necessary to substantiate that the computer
software product can be produced in accordance with its design specifications,
including functions, features, and technical performance requirements. No costs were
capitalized for all periods presented. |
(j) |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
|
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method,
deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax loss carryforwards. Deferred
income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered
or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates
or tax status is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date or the
date of change in tax status. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the amount of
deferred income tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all
of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. |
|
|
|
On April 1, 2007, the Group adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the
accounting for uncertain tax positions. This interpretation requires that an entity
recognizes in the consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that
position is more likely than not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical
merits of the position. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount
that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are
reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. Prior to the adoption of FIN
48, the Group recognized the effect of income tax positions only if such positions were
probable of being sustained. The adoption of FIN 48 on April 1, 2007 did not have any effect
on the Companys consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
The Groups accounting policy is to accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax
benefits, if and when required, as interest expense and a component of general and
administrative expenses, respectively in the consolidated statements of operations. |
|
(k) |
|
Share-based payments |
|
|
|
The Company accounts for share-based payments under the provisions of SFAS No. 123 (revised
2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS No. 123R). Under SFAS No. 123R, the Company measures the
cost of employee share option or a similar equity instruments based on the grant date fair
value of the award and recognizes that cost over the period during which an employee is
required to provide service in exchange for the award, which generally is the vesting period.
When no future services are required to be performed by the employee in exchange for an award
of equity instruments, and if such award does not contain a performance or market condition,
the cost of the award is expensed on the grant date. |
F - 14
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
All transactions with non-employee vendors in which goods or services are received in
exchange for equity instruments are accounted for based on the fair value of the
consideration received or the fair value of the equity instrument issued, whichever is more
reliably measurable. The measurement date of the fair value of the equity instrument issued
is the date on which the counterpartys performance is completed. |
|
(l) |
|
Cash |
|
|
|
Cash consists of cash on hand, cash in bank and 7 days notice deposit. None of the Groups
cash is restricted from withdrawal. |
|
(m) |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
|
Accounts receivable include amounts billed at the invoiced amount and unbilled amounts.
Unbilled receivables relate to revenues earned and recognized but have not yet been billed in
accordance with the terms of the contract. |
|
|
|
The allowance for doubtful accounts is the managements best estimate of the amount of
probable credit losses resulting from the inability of the Groups customers to make required
payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a review of specifically identified
accounts, aging data and historical collection pattern. Account balances are charged off
against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for
recovery is considered remote. The Group does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure
related to its customers. |
|
(n) |
|
Inventories |
|
|
|
Inventories consist mainly of textbooks and educational materials on electronic media,
electronics kits and supplies held for sale. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or
market value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. |
|
(o) |
|
Investments in affiliates |
|
|
|
An affiliated company is an entity in which the Group has the ability to exercise significant
influence over its financial and operating policies and decisions, but does not have a
controlling financial interest in the entity. |
|
|
|
Investments in affiliated companies are accounted for under the equity method. The Group
recognizes an impairment loss when there is a decline in value below the carrying value of
the investment which is considered other than temporary. The factors management evaluates in
determining if a decline is other than temporary are the Groups ability and intent to hold
the investment over a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair
value, the severity of the impairment, duration of the impairment and forecasted recovery of
fair value. |
|
(p) |
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
|
Property and equipment is stated at historical cost. |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization is calculated on the straight-line method, taking into
consideration the assets estimated salvage value. The estimated useful lives of the Groups
property and equipment are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computer equipment
|
|
5 years |
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
|
|
5 years |
Software
|
|
3 to 5 years |
Motor vehicles
|
|
5 years |
Leasehold improvements
|
|
the shorter of the lease terms or 5 years |
F - 15
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(q) |
|
Intangible assets |
|
|
|
Intangible assets acquired are initially recognized and measured at fair value and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their
respective estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 12 years. The Company has no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. |
|
(r) |
|
Impairment of long-lived assets, excluding goodwill |
|
|
|
Long-lived assets, which include property, equipment and intangible assets other than
goodwill, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Group recognizes impairment
of long-lived assets in the event that the carrying value of such assets exceeds the future
undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets. An impairment charge is recognized by
the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. No
impairment of long-lived assets was recognized for all periods presented. |
|
(s) |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
|
Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net
assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead tested for
impairment at least annually or more frequently if certain circumstances indicate a possible
impairment may exist. Management performs its annual impairment review of goodwill in March
of each year. Management evaluates the recoverability of goodwill using a two-step impairment
test approach at the reporting unit level, which is determined to be the enterprise level. In
the first step, the fair value of the Company is compared to its carrying value including
goodwill. The fair value of the Company is currently determined based upon the quoted market
price of the Companys common shares adjusted for control premium. Prior to the IPO, the
fair value of the Company was determined based on a combination of multiple of earnings,
discounted future cash flows and the projected profitability of the market in which it
operates. Second, if the carrying amount of the Company exceeds its fair value, an impairment
loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the goodwill over the implied
fair value of the goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating
the fair value of the Company in a manner similar to a business combination. No impairment
loss on goodwill was recognized for any of the periods presented. |
|
(t) |
|
Employee benefit plans |
|
|
|
As stipulated by the regulations of the PRC, the Companys PRC subsidiaries and its
consolidated VIE are required to contribute to various defined contribution plans, organized
by municipal and provincial governments on behalf of their employees. The contributions to
these plans range from 40.7% to 44.7% of the employees salaries. The Group has no other
material obligation for the payment of employee benefits associated with these plans beyond
the annual contributions described above. During the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and
2009, the Group contributed RMB4,190,954, RMB5,619,135 and RMB6,934,683 to these plans,
respectively. |
|
(u) |
|
Earnings (loss) per share |
|
|
|
In accordance with SFAS No.128, Computation of Earnings Per Share (SFAS No. 128) and EITF
Issue No. 03-06, Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No.
128 (EITF Issue No. 03-06), basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net
earnings (loss) available (applicable) to common shareholders by the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding during the period using the two-class method. Under the
two-class method, net income is allocated between common shares and other participating
securities based on their participating rights in undistributed earnings. The Companys
convertible preferred shares that were outstanding during the year ended March 31, |
F - 16
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
2008 were considered participating securities since the holders of these securities may
participate in dividends with common shareholders based on a pre-determined formula. |
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) available
(applicable) to common shareholders as adjusted for the effect of dilutive common equivalent
shares, if any, by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent
shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalent shares consist of the common shares
issuable upon the conversion of the convertible preferred shares (using the as-converted
method) and common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding share options, warrants
and restricted shares (using the treasury stock method). Common equivalent shares in the
diluted earnings (loss) per share computation are excluded to the effect that they would be
anti-dilutive. |
|
(v) |
|
Segment reporting |
|
|
|
The Group has no operating segments, as that term is defined by FASB Statement No. 131,
Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Substantially all of
the Groups operations and customers are located in the PRC. Consequently, no geographic
information is presented. |
|
(w) |
|
Recently issued accounting standards |
|
|
|
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, a revision of SFAS No. 141, Business
Combinations (SFAS No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R establishes requirements for the recognition
and measurement of acquired assets, liabilities, goodwill, and non-controlling interests
(formerly minority interests). SFAS No. 141R also provides disclosure requirements related to
business combinations. SFAS No. 141R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 2008. SFAS No. 141R will be applied prospectively to business combinations with an
acquisition date on or after the effective date. |
|
|
|
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS No. 160). SFAS No. 160 establishes
new standards for the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests and for the
loss of control of partially owned and consolidated subsidiaries. SFAS No. 160 does not
change the criteria for consolidating a partially owned entity. SFAS No. 160 is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The provisions of SFAS No. 160 will be
applied prospectively upon adoption except for the presentation and disclosure requirements,
which will be applied retrospectively. SFAS No. 160 states that accounting and reporting for
minority interests will be recharacterized as non-controlling interests and classified as a
component of equity. The calculation of earnings per share will continue to be based on
income amounts attributable to the parent. SFAS No. 160 applies to all entities that prepare
consolidated financial statements, except for not-for-profit organizations, but will affect
only those entities that have an outstanding non-controlling interest in one or more
subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. Management does not expect the initial
adoption of SFAS No. 160 will have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial
statements. |
|
|
|
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FSP 142-3, Determination of the Useful
Life of Intangible Assets (FSP FAS 142-3). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the guidance in SFAS No.
142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Asset, about estimating the useful lives of recognized
intangible assets, and requires additional disclosures related to renewing or extending the
terms of recognized intangible assets. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management does not
expect the initial adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 will have a material impact on the Companys
consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
|
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (SFAS No. 165). SFAS No. 165
addresses accounting and disclosure requirements related to subsequent events and |
F - 17
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
requires management to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements
are either issued or available to be issued, depending on the companys expectation of
whether it will widely distribute its financial statements to its shareholders and other
financial statement users. Companies will be required to disclose the date through which
subsequent events have been evaluated. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim or annual
financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. |
|
|
|
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets,
(SFAS No. 166) and No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (SFAS No. 167),
which significantly changes the accounting for transfers of financial assets and the criteria
for determining whether to consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE). SFAS No.166
eliminates the QSPE concept, establishes conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of
a financial asset as a sale, clarifies the financial-asset derecognition criteria, revises
how interests retained by the transferor in a sale of financial assets initially are
measured, and removes the guaranteed mortgage securitization recharacterization provisions.
SFAS 167 requires reporting entities to evaluate former QSPEs for consolidation, changes the
approach to determining a VIEs primary beneficiary from a mainly quantitative assessment to
an exclusively qualitative assessment designed to identify a controlling financial interest,
and increases the frequency of required reassessments to determine whether a company is the
primary beneficiary of a VIE. These Statements require additional year-end and interim
disclosures for public and nonpublic companies that are similar to the disclosures required
by FSP FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about
Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities. Eliminating the
QSPE concept and changing the approach to determining a VIEs primary beneficiary will mean
that more entities will be subject to consolidation assessments and more VIEs likely will be
consolidated. SFAS No. 166 and SFAS No. 167 are effective as of the beginning of a companys
first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009, and for subsequent interim and annual
reporting periods. SFAS No. 166s disclosure requirements must be applied to transfers that
occurred before and after its effective date. The two Statements may not be applied before
their effective dates. Management does not expect the initial adoption of SFAS No. 166 and
SFAS No. 167 will have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements. |
|
(3) |
|
ACQUISITION |
|
|
|
On October 15, 2007, the Company entered into acquisition agreements to purchase the entire
equity interests of Beijing JDX and JDX BVI (the acquiree) for RMB10 million. Beijing JDX
is a PRC incorporated entity primarily engaged in the development and marketing of software
for computer-based tests. JDX BVI is a British Virgin Islands incorporated entity established
by the equity holders of Beijing JDX (selling shareholders) to hold exclusive licensing
rights for the use of technology owned by Beijing JDX. This acquisition is expected to expand
the Companys customer base by allowing it to market test delivery services to the test
sponsors that are using the products developed by Beijing JDX. |
|
|
|
During the year ended March 31, 2008, cash payments of RMB4.3 million were made to the
selling shareholders as a deposit for the acquisition. According to the supplementary
agreement signed in August 2008, Beijing JDX should refund RMB2 million of the deposit with
the remaining consideration of RMB7.7 million payable through the offset of a receivable due
from the selling shareholders of RMB4.7 million related to the exercise of the warrant
described below and cash of RMB3 million. As of March 31, 2009, the unpaid cash
consideration was RMB2,305,553, of which RMB2,000,000 was paid in April 2009 and RMB305,553
was paid in July 2009. |
|
|
|
In conjunction with the acquisition agreements, the Company also issued warrants to purchase
126,803 of the Companys common shares to certain selling shareholders. The exercise price
of the warrants was USD5.25 per share. The warrants were exercisable upon the closing of
the transaction and expire on January 13, 2008. The fair value of the warrants was RMB838,707 |
F - 18
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(USD111,600), based on an independent valuation by Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited using the
Binomial option pricing model. The fair value of the warrants was recorded as a deposit for
the acquisition with a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated
balance sheets. On January 5, 2008, the expiration date of the warrants was extended to April
30 and on April 24, 2008, the expiration date was further extended to June 30, 2008. On May
10, 2008, the warrants were exercised prior to the consummation of the acquisition that
resulted in a further modification to the original term of the warrants. The common shares
were delivered in February 2009 when the acquisition was consummated as described below. As a
result of these changes to the original terms of the warrants, the fair value of the warrants
was re-measured to RMB632,145 based on an independent valuation by Jones Lang LaSalle
Sallmanns Limited.
On February 28, 2009, the Company obtained the approval from the State Administration of
Foreign Exchange (SAFE) for wiring foreign-currency-denominated purchase price into the
PRC. On this date, the Company signed an agreement with the selling shareholders that the
Company has obtained a controlling financial interest in the acquiree and effective control
of the acquiree has been transferred to the Company. The results of Beijing JDX and JDX BVI
have been included in the consolidated results of the Company since February 28, 2009.
The aggregate purchase price was RMB10,726,227, including the above-mentioned fair value of
the warrants of 632,145 and legal fees of RMB94,082.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed
at the date of acquisition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
Current assets |
|
|
1,750,372 |
|
Property and equipment |
|
|
677,552 |
|
Intangible assets |
|
|
2,100,000 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
16,542,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets acquired |
|
|
21,070,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities assumed |
|
|
(10,344,424 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net assets acquired |
|
|
10,726,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The acquired intangible assets consisted of RMB800,000 assigned to testing service
technology with three-year useful life and RMB1,300,000 assigned to customer
relationships with twelve-year useful life. The excess of the purchase price over the
net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired was recorded as goodwill
(see Note 8). The goodwill represents the benefits that the acquired business are
expected to bring to the Company in the future by securing the technology edge of the
Company in computer-based testing and expanding the Companys customer base. Goodwill is
allocated to the enterprise level. Goodwill is not tax deductible under the local tax
law. |
|
|
Since the total consideration paid for the acquisition of JDX and the total assets of
JDX are immaterial to the total assets of the Company, no pro forma results of
operations information has been provided as though the business combination had occurred
at the beginning of the years ended March 31, 2009 and 2008. |
(4) |
|
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable, net is summarized as follows:
|
F - 19
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
64,126,401 |
|
|
|
74,275,754 |
|
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
(623,993 |
) |
|
|
(3,198,960 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
63,502,408 |
|
|
|
71,076,794 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers financial condition and
generally does not require collateral on accounts receivable. |
|
|
|
The Groups accounts receivable also comprise amounts earned and recognized under contractual
terms but not yet billed (unbilled receivables). Management expects that substantially all
unbilled receivables will be billed and collected within twelve months at each balance sheet
date. Historically the Group has been able to collect substantially all amounts due under the
contract terms without making material concessions on payments. |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2008 and 2009, accounts receivable included amounts of RMB6,930,326 and
RMB1,769,168, respectively that the Group had the right to bill according to the contract
terms but related revenue was not recognized. |
|
|
|
The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable for the years
ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
1,940,422 |
|
|
|
2,440,151 |
|
|
|
623,993 |
|
Additions charged to bad debt expense |
|
|
499,729 |
|
|
|
1,655,412 |
|
|
|
6,531,940 |
|
Write-off of accounts receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,471,570 |
) |
|
|
(3,956,973 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
2,440,151 |
|
|
|
623,993 |
|
|
|
3,198,960 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F - 20
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(5) |
|
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Prepaid royalty |
|
|
(a |
) |
|
|
2,419,327 |
|
|
|
7,464,373 |
|
Prepaid business tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
750,525 |
|
|
|
698,831 |
|
Deferred income tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
655,640 |
|
|
|
2,763,798 |
|
Advances to employees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
213,497 |
|
|
|
1,502,748 |
|
Advances to third parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
618,619 |
|
|
|
2,155,054 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,657,608 |
|
|
|
15,134,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The balance mainly included prepaid royalty fees to Microsoft and SHL Group
Limited (SHL), which are charged to cost of revenues based on actual usage and over
the contract period, respectively. |
(6) |
|
DISPOSITION OF INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES |
|
|
|
The Groups investment in Jiangsu ATA Software Co., Ltd. (ATA Jiangsu) was written down to
zero in 2003 and the application of the equity method was suspended since that time. As a
result of the completion of ATA Jiangsus liquidation on May 10, 2006, the Group recognized a
gain of RMB1,509,228, representing RMB29,141 cash proceeds and RMB1,480,087 forgiveness of a
liability. In April 2007, the Group received liquidation proceeds of RMB988,133 in cash from
ATA Jiangsus major shareholder, which was recognized as a gain upon receipt. |
|
|
|
The sale of Xiamen Wendu Software Education Invesment (Wendu Education) was consummated on
August 26, 2007, which was the date of approval by the shareholders of Wendu Education.
During the year ended March 31, 2008, ATA Learning recognized a gain of RMB2,837,451 on the
sale of Wendu Education. |
|
(7) |
|
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net consist of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Computer equipment |
|
|
10,837,503 |
|
|
|
15,254,381 |
|
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment |
|
|
338,060 |
|
|
|
479,553 |
|
Software |
|
|
1,943,501 |
|
|
|
11,158,701 |
|
Motor vehicles |
|
|
676,000 |
|
|
|
1,189,894 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
3,791,896 |
|
|
|
5,284,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,586,960 |
|
|
|
33,367,493 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
(6,918,660 |
) |
|
|
(12,380,021 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
10,668,300 |
|
|
|
20,987,472 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8) |
|
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
F - 21
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
The following table summarizes the Companys intangible assets, all of which were acquired in
fiscal 2009, as of March 31, 2009. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net |
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
carrying |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
carrying |
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
amount |
|
|
amortization |
|
|
amount |
|
|
Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
Years |
|
ETS TOEIC license |
|
|
(a |
) |
|
|
24,126,706 |
|
|
|
(201,056 |
) |
|
|
23,925,650 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Testing service technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
800,000 |
|
|
|
(22,222 |
) |
|
|
777,778 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Customer relationships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,300,000 |
|
|
|
(9,167 |
) |
|
|
1,290,833 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Intangible assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,226,706 |
|
|
|
(232,445 |
) |
|
|
25,994,261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) The balance represented the amounts paid to Educational Testing Service (ETS) under the
country master distributor agreement for the Company to acquire the exclusive right to
market, distribute administer and sell the Test of English for International Communication
(TOEIC) in mainland PRC for ten years starting from March 2009.
Amortization expense for intangible assets was RMB232,445 for the year ended March 31, 2009.
Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is: RMB2,787,671 in 2010, RMB
2,787,671 in 2011, RMB2,765,449 in 2012, RMB2,521,004 in 2013, and RMB2,521,004 in 2014.
|
(b) |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
Balance as of April 1, 2008 |
|
|
6,880,123 |
|
Acquisition of JDX (Note 3) |
|
|
16,542,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of March 31, 2009 |
|
|
23,422,850 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the years ended March 31,
2007 and 2008. |
F - 22
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(9) |
|
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES |
|
|
|
Accrued expenses and other payables consist of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Business and other taxes payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,042,731 |
|
|
|
8,276,822 |
|
Accrued payroll and welfare |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,209,933 |
|
|
|
5,653,587 |
|
Accrued test monitoring fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,549,718 |
|
|
|
4,591,020 |
|
Accrued discounts to customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,694,000 |
|
|
|
3,509,550 |
|
Purchase price payable to JDX shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,305,553 |
|
Accrued certificates costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,940,000 |
|
Payable for test station development fee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,881,400 |
|
|
|
1,917,400 |
|
Royalty fees payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,735,291 |
|
|
|
1,837,651 |
|
Income taxes payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,551,179 |
|
|
|
1,583,948 |
|
Accrued professional services expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
744,073 |
|
|
|
1,446,687 |
|
Accrued agent fee for test-based education services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
843,555 |
|
|
|
1,168,442 |
|
Payable for purchase of PP&E |
|
|
|
|
|
|
156,500 |
|
|
|
1,028,600 |
|
Accrued initial public offering costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,544,180 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities |
|
|
(a |
) |
|
|
3,869,753 |
|
|
|
9,691,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total accrued expenses and other payables |
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,822,313 |
|
|
|
44,950,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The balance as of March 31, 2008 and 2009 mainly included accrued advertising and
marketing, traveling expenses and rental expenses, etc. |
|
|
The movement in deferred revenues for the years ended March 31, 2008 and 2009 is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Balance at beginning of year |
|
|
34,238,253 |
|
|
|
43,733,887 |
|
Additions for the year: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Testing services |
|
|
46,081,892 |
|
|
|
61,838,373 |
|
Test-based educational services |
|
|
42,549,668 |
|
|
|
37,251,990 |
|
Test preparation and training solutions |
|
|
141,227 |
|
|
|
8,541,560 |
|
Other revenue |
|
|
2,844,728 |
|
|
|
3,026,601 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,855,768 |
|
|
|
154,392,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction for the year: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Testing services |
|
|
(32,107,779 |
) |
|
|
(59,284,870 |
) |
Test-based educational services |
|
|
(46,561,753 |
) |
|
|
(39,783,833 |
) |
Test preparation and training solutions |
|
|
(46,961 |
) |
|
|
(8,608,645 |
) |
Other revenue |
|
|
(3,405,388 |
) |
|
|
(850,654 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of year |
|
|
43,733,887 |
|
|
|
45,864,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Representing: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion |
|
|
36,707,916 |
|
|
|
40,238,256 |
|
Non-current portion |
|
|
7,025,971 |
|
|
|
5,626,153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred revenues |
|
|
43,733,887 |
|
|
|
45,864,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F - 23
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(11) |
|
NET REVENUES |
|
|
|
The components of net revenues for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as
follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Testing services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,628,465 |
|
|
|
78,197,704 |
|
|
|
137,046,628 |
|
Test-based educational services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,803,677 |
|
|
|
48,594,550 |
|
|
|
42,545,536 |
|
Test preparation and training solutions |
|
|
(a |
) |
|
|
10,075,778 |
|
|
|
36,908,179 |
|
|
|
25,071,400 |
|
Other revenue |
|
|
(b |
) |
|
|
7,372,957 |
|
|
|
8,387,794 |
|
|
|
12,881,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,880,877 |
|
|
|
172,088,227 |
|
|
|
217,545,303 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Product sales are included in the test preparation and training solutions revenue. |
|
(b) |
|
Other revenue primarily includes licensing fees from authorized test centers,
test development services, and test certificate services. |
(12) |
|
INCOME TAXES |
|
|
|
Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands |
|
|
|
Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, the Company, ATA
BVI and JDX BVI are not subject to income tax. In addition, upon any payments of dividends by
the Company, ATA BVI or JDX BVI, no withholding tax is imposed. |
|
|
|
Peoples Republic of China |
|
|
|
The Companys consolidated PRC entities file separate income tax returns. |
|
|
|
Prior to January 1, 2008, the general PRCs statutory income tax rate was 33%. ATA Testing,
ATA Learning and ATA Online were recognized as High New Technology Enterprises (HNTEs)
registered in the Beijing New Hi-tech Industry Development and Experimental Zone, and
therefore were entitled to both a preferential income tax rate of 15% and a tax holiday of
3-year full exemption followed by a 3-year 50% exemption (3+3 tax holiday). ATA Testing,
ATA Learning and ATA Online commenced their 3+3 tax holidays in 1999, 2003 and 2007,
respectively. Based on the above, ATA Testing was subject to income tax at 15% for calendar
years 2006 and 2007; ATA Learning was subject to income tax at 7.5% for calendar years 2006
and 2007; and ATA Online was subject to income tax at 0% for calendar year 2007. |
|
|
|
On March 16, 2007, the National Peoples Congress passed the new Enterprise Income Tax Law
(new EIT Law) which imposes a single income tax rate of 25% for most domestic enterprises
and foreign invested enterprises. The new EIT Law is effective as of January 1, 2008. The new
EIT Law and its relevant regulations provide a 5-year transitional period from January 1,
2008 for entities which were established before March 16, 2007 and which were entitled to the
preferential income tax rate of 15% under the then effective tax laws and regulations, as
well as grandfathering the 3+3 tax holidays until their expiry. The transitional rates under
the 5-year transitional period are 18%, 20%, 22%, 24% and 25% for calendar years 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011 and 2012 onwards, respectively. Further, according to the new EIT Law, entities
that qualify as Advanced and New Technology Enterprise (ANTE) are entitled to a
preferential income tax rate of 15%. However, the new recognition criteria and procedures for
ANTE under the new EIT Law were not issued until April 2008. Under the new EIT Law and the
Companys interaction with the local tax authorities, as of March 31, 2008, ATA Testing was
subject to income tax at 25% from calendar year 2008 onwards; ATA Learning was subject to
income tax at 9% for |
F - 24
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
calendar year 2008 and 25% from calendar year 2009 onwards; ATA Online was subject to income
tax at 0%, 0%, 11%, 12%, 12.5% and 25% for calendar years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and
2013 onwards, respectively. |
|
|
|
In January 2009, ATA Testing received approval from the tax authority that it qualified as an
ANTE by the issuance of the ANTE certificate. The certificate is valid for a period of 3
years, effective retroactively from January 1, 2008 until December 31, 2010. Accordingly,
ATA Testing is entitled to the preferential income tax rate of 15% for calendar years 2008 to
2010. ATA Testing is subject to income tax at 25% from calendar years 2011 onwards unless it
can requalify as an ANTE. As of March 31, 2009, ATA Learning and ATA Online did not receive
approval as an ANTE since neither company applied with the tax authorities. Based on further
communication with the local tax authorities, ATA Learning and ATA Online are subject to
income tax at 25% from calendar years 2008 onwards. |
|
|
|
Beijing JDX is subject to income tax at the applicable statutory rates. |
|
|
|
The new EIT Law and its relevant regulations also impose a withholding tax at 10%, unless
reduced by a tax treaty or agreement, for dividends distributed by a PRC-resident enterprise
to its immediate holding company outside the PRC for earnings generated beginning on January
1, 2008. Undistributed earnings generated prior to January 1, 2008 are exempt from
withholding tax. As of March 31, 2009, the Company has not provided for income taxes on
earnings of RMB19,762,509 generated by its PRC consolidated entities since January 1, 2008
as the Company has plans to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in the PRC. As of March 31,
2009, the unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to these earnings was RMB
1,976,251. |
|
|
|
The earnings (loss) before income taxes were generated in the following jurisdictions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands |
|
|
(18,678,162 |
) |
|
|
(24,703,655 |
) |
|
|
(16,104,769 |
) |
PRC |
|
|
95,152 |
|
|
|
52,194,788 |
|
|
|
45,552,957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
(18,583,010 |
) |
|
|
27,491,133 |
|
|
|
29,448,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit) recognized in the consolidated statements of operations consists
of the following: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
PRC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
26,187 |
|
|
|
5,798,007 |
|
|
|
8,886,688 |
|
Deferred |
|
|
(1,819,345 |
) |
|
|
1,523,347 |
|
|
|
(2,248,715 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
(1,793,158 |
) |
|
|
7,321,354 |
|
|
|
6,637,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The actual income tax expense (benefit) as reported in the consolidated statements of
operations differs from the respective amount computed by applying the PRC statutory income
tax rate of 33% for the year ended March 31, 2007 and 25% for the years ended March 31, 2008
and 2009 to earnings (loss) before income taxes due to the following: |
F - 25
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Computed expected income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
(6,132,393 |
) |
|
|
6,872,783 |
|
|
|
7,362,047 |
|
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance |
|
|
(2,291,477 |
) |
|
|
(57,309 |
) |
|
|
66,008 |
|
Tax holiday |
|
|
155,072 |
|
|
|
(823,254 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Preferential income tax rate |
|
|
(555,685 |
) |
|
|
(5,507,070 |
) |
|
|
(4,610,609 |
) |
Entities not subject to income tax |
|
|
6,163,793 |
|
|
|
6,175,914 |
|
|
|
3,644,542 |
|
Deductible software amortization |
|
|
(330,000 |
) |
|
|
(250,000 |
) |
|
|
(250,000 |
) |
Non-deductible expenses |
|
|
927,649 |
|
|
|
725,147 |
|
|
|
2,105,319 |
|
Taxable inter-company licensing fees |
|
|
767,928 |
|
|
|
684,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax exempt income |
|
|
(498,045 |
) |
|
|
(586,695 |
) |
|
|
(538,466 |
) |
Changes in tax rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44,821 |
) |
|
|
457,095 |
|
Research and development super deduction |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,519,273 |
) |
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
132,141 |
|
|
|
(78,690 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
(1,793,158 |
) |
|
|
7,321,354 |
|
|
|
6,637,973 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The applicable PRC statutory tax rate is used since the Groups taxable income is generated
in the PRC. |
|
|
Basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common share effect of the tax holiday for the
years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Basic |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The tax effects of the Groups temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Deferred income tax assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax loss carryforwards |
|
|
14,577 |
|
|
|
1,755,480 |
|
Pre-operating expenses |
|
|
7,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net |
|
|
208,667 |
|
|
|
349,224 |
|
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
240,985 |
|
|
|
629,252 |
|
Accrued expenses and other payables |
|
|
392,350 |
|
|
|
2,069,870 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total gross deferred income tax assets |
|
|
864,307 |
|
|
|
4,803,826 |
|
Less: Valuation allowance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,355,387 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income tax assets |
|
|
864,307 |
|
|
|
3,448,439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets acquired in JDX acquisition: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Testing service technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
Customer relationships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
325,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total gross deferred income tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
525,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income tax asset |
|
|
864,307 |
|
|
|
2,923,439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F - 26
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Current deferred income tax assets, included in prepaid
expenses and other current assets |
|
|
655,640 |
|
|
|
2,763,798 |
|
Non-current deferred income tax assets, included in
other assets |
|
|
208,667 |
|
|
|
349,224 |
|
Non-current deferred income tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(189,583 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred income tax assets |
|
|
864,307 |
|
|
|
2,923,439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets as of April 1, 2008 and 2007 was RMB
nil and RMB57,309, respectively. The net change in total valuation allowance for each of the
years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, was a decrease of RMB2,291,477, a decrease of RMB
57,309 and an increase of RMB1,355,387, respectively. In assessing the realizability of
deferred income tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate
realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable
income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or tax loss
carryforwards are utilized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income
tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this
assessment. As of March 31, 2008, based on projections for future taxable income over the
periods in which the deferred income tax assets would be deductible or could be utilized, no
valuation allowance was recorded because management believes it was more likely than not that
the Group would realize the tax benefits. As of March 31, 2009, due to the cumulative losses
in Beijing JDX in recent years and after consideration of the scheduled reversal of existing
deferred tax liabilities of RMB335,417, a valuation allowance of RMB1,355,387 was provided
for the deferred income tax assets of Beijing JDX. As of March 31, 2009, management believes
it is more likely than not that the Group will realize the deferred income tax assets, net of
the valuation allowance of 1,355,387. The amount of the deferred income tax assets, however,
considered realizable as of March 31, 2009 could be reduced in the near term if estimates of
future taxable income are reduced. Subsequently recognized tax benefits related to the
valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets as of March 31, 2009 will be recorded as
income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of operations after the measurement period
under SFAS No. 141 (R). |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2009, the Group has net tax loss carryforwards for PRC income tax purpose of
RMB7,021,919, which are available to offset future taxable income, if any, with RMB1,568,008 through December 31, 2012, RMB2,333,475 through December 31, 2013, and RMB
3,120,436 through December 31, 2014, respectively. |
|
|
|
As of April 1, 2007 and for the years ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2009, the Group had
no unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions. Also, the Group does not
expect that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase within the
next twelve months. No interest or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits have been
accrued as of April 1, 2007 and as of March 31, 2008 and 2009. |
|
|
|
According to the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law, the statute of limitations is
three years if the underpayment of taxes is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer
or the withholding agent. The statute of limitations is extended to five years under special
circumstances where the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB100,000. In the case of
transfer pricing issues, the statute of limitations is ten years. There is no statute of
limitations in the case of tax evasion. The income tax return of each of the Companys PRC
consolidated entities is subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities for the
calendar tax years beginning in 2004. |
F - 27
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(13) |
|
SHARE BASED COMPENSATION |
|
|
|
Options granted to officers |
|
|
|
In May 2003, the Company granted share options to two officer employees as a reward for their
services. The options provided the officer employees to purchase 1,369,863 common shares of
the Company at an exercise price of USD0.545 (RMB3.72) per share. |
|
|
|
In April 2008, the officer employees exercised the options at a price of RMB5,226,173, which
was paid by a one-year non-interest bearing notes payable of RMB5,226,173 to the Company,
The payment of the exercise price through a loan resulted in a modification to the original
terms of the options. An additional compensation expense of RMB354,980 was recorded in the
consolidated statement of operations for the year ended March 31, 2009. The notes payable
were repaid in April 2009. |
2005 Share incentive plan
In April 2005, the Company adopted a share incentive plan (the 2005 Plan), pursuant to
which the Company is authorized to issue options to officers, employees, directors and
consultants of the Group to purchase up to 2,894,000 of its common shares. In October, 2007,
the Companys board of directors approved an increase in the number of shares reserved for
issuance under the 2005 Plan to 3,310,300 shares. The 2005 Plan expires in ten years. Options
awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the
2005 Plan). As of March 31, 2009, 3,235,800 share options have been granted under the 2005
Plan.
2008 Share incentive plan
On January 7, 2008, the Company adopted a share incentive plan (the 2008 Plan), pursuant to
which the Company is authorized to issue options and other share-based awards to officers,
employees, directors and consultants of the Group to purchase up to 336,307 of its common
shares, plus an annual increase on January 1 of each calendar year beginning in 2009 equal to
the lesser of 1) one percent of the number of shares issued and outstanding on December 31 of
the immediately preceding calendar year, 2) 336,307 shares, and 3) any lesser number of
shares determined by the Companys board of directors. The 2008 Plan expires in ten years.
Options awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in
the 2008 Plan). As of March 31, 2009, 186,668 share options and 274,000 nonvested shares have
been granted under the 2008 Plan.
Under both the 2005 Plan and 2008 Plan, share options are generally granted with 25% vesting
on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 75% vesting ratably over the
following 36 months, unless a shorter or longer duration is established at the time of the
option grant. Share options are granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value
of the Companys share at the date of grant and expire 10 years from the grant date .
F - 28
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
A summary of the share option activities for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 is
presented below: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Weighted average |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
average |
|
|
remaining |
|
|
intrinsic |
|
|
|
of shares |
|
|
exercise price |
|
|
contractual term |
|
|
value(note) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at April 1, 2006 |
|
|
3,513,463 |
|
|
|
1.909 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
580,400 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(41,000 |
) |
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2007 |
|
|
4,052,863 |
|
|
|
2.134 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
491,800 |
|
|
|
3.834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
4,539,663 |
|
|
|
2.317 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
86,668 |
|
|
|
4.779 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
(1,369,863 |
) |
|
|
0.545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(21,000 |
) |
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2009 |
|
|
3,235,468 |
|
|
|
3.125 |
|
|
6.9 years |
|
|
USD Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable as of March 31, 2009 |
|
|
2,591,627 |
|
|
|
2.941 |
|
|
6.6 years |
|
|
USD Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2009
was calculated based on the closing price of the Companys common shares on March 31, 2009. |
|
|
|
The total intrinsic value of options exercised in the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and
2009 are USD nil, USD nil and USD6,550,680, respectively. |
|
|
|
Information relating to options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2009 is as
follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding as of March 31, 2009 |
|
|
Options exercisable as of March 31, 2009 |
|
Number |
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Remaining |
|
of Shares |
|
per Share |
|
|
Contractual Life |
|
|
of Shares |
|
|
per Share |
|
|
Contractual Life |
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
|
|
1,312,600 |
|
|
2.263 |
|
|
6.0 years |
|
|
|
1,303,188 |
|
|
|
2.263 |
|
|
6.0 years |
|
773,000 |
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
6.7 years |
|
|
|
628,063 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
6.7 years |
|
330,400 |
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.2 years |
|
|
|
240,917 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.2 years |
|
250,000 |
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.7 years |
|
|
|
151,042 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
7.7 years |
|
382,800 |
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
8.5 years |
|
|
|
239,250 |
|
|
|
3.600 |
|
|
8.5 years |
|
100,000 |
|
|
4.750 |
|
|
8.8 years |
|
|
|
29,167 |
|
|
|
4.750 |
|
|
8.8 years |
|
50,000 |
|
|
6.315 |
|
|
9.3 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.315 |
|
|
9.3 years |
|
13,335 |
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
23,333 |
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.685 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,235,468 |
|
|
3.125 |
|
|
6.9 years |
|
|
|
2,591,627 |
|
|
|
2.941 |
|
|
6.6 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended March
31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 was USD0.538 (RMB3.676), USD3.165 (RMB21.626) and USD2.748
(RMB18.777) per share, respectively. The Company calculated the fair value of the share
options using the Binomial option-pricing valuation model. The assumptions used in the
valuation model are summarized as follows: |
F - 29
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
Expected weighted average volatility |
|
|
56 |
% |
|
|
52 |
% |
|
|
73 |
% |
Expected weighted average dividends |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suboptimal exercise factor |
|
|
2.0 |
x |
|
|
2.0 |
x |
|
|
2.0 |
x |
Weighted average risk-free
interest rate (per annum) |
|
|
4.83 |
% |
|
|
3.80 |
% |
|
|
3.53 |
% |
Estimated weighted average fair value at grant date
of underlying common shares (per share) |
|
USD1.36 |
|
|
USD4.98 |
|
|
USD4.79 |
|
|
|
For options granted prior to January 28, 2008, the expected volatility was based on the
historical volatilities of comparable publicly traded training and testing services companies
operating in the United States because the Company did not have an internal market for its
shares prior to that date. The suboptimal exercise factor is related to the period of time
the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the
contractual life of the option is based on the United States treasury yield curve in effect
at the time of grant. |
|
|
|
The estimated fair value of the common shares of the Company for options granted prior to
January 28, 2008, was determined by management based on valuations of the Companys common
shares that were conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle Sallmanns Limited, an independent
third-party valuation firm, supplemented by management estimate of the forecasted
profitability and cash flows of the Group. For options granted on January 28, 2008, the fair
value of underlying common shares was the Companys IPO price of USD4.75 per share; for
options granted after January 28, 2008, the fair value of underlying common shares was one
half of the closing price of the Companys ADSs on grant date. |
|
|
|
Compensation expense for share options is allocated to the following expense items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
USD |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
249,888 |
|
|
|
264,362 |
|
|
|
125,494 |
|
|
|
18,366 |
|
Research and development |
|
|
196,338 |
|
|
|
482,378 |
|
|
|
271,753 |
|
|
|
39,771 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
294,355 |
|
|
|
2,132,663 |
|
|
|
1,054,751 |
|
|
|
154,364 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
1,756,737 |
|
|
|
4,373,117 |
|
|
|
3,785,636 |
|
|
|
554,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total share based compensation expenses |
|
|
2,497,318 |
|
|
|
7,252,520 |
|
|
|
5,237,634 |
|
|
|
766,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No income tax benefit was recognized because the compensation expense for the share options
was recognized by the Company, a tax exempt entity. |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2009, RMB2,786,562 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to
non-vested share options is expected to be recognized over the next 4 years. |
|
|
|
Nonvested shares |
|
|
|
On February 12, 2009, 274,000 nonvested shares were granted to employees and officers under
the 2008 Plan. 25% of the shares granted vest on February 12, 2010 and the remaining 75% vest
ratably at the end of each month over the following 36-month period. Share-based compensation
expense with respect to the unvested shares was measured based on the fair value of the
Companys common shares at the date of grant. |
|
|
|
A summary of the unvested shares activities for the year ended March 31, 2009 is presented
below: |
F - 30
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant date |
|
|
Weighted average |
|
|
|
Number |
|
|
weighted average |
|
|
remaining |
|
|
|
of shares |
|
|
faire value |
|
|
contractual term |
|
|
|
USD |
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
274,000 |
|
|
|
546,630 |
|
|
|
|
|
Vested |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(5,000 |
) |
|
|
(9,975 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2009 |
|
|
269,000 |
|
|
|
536,655 |
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fully vested as of March 31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.9 years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation expense recognized for unvested shares for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008
and 2009 is allocated to the following expense items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
USD |
|
Cost of revenues |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,912 |
|
|
|
7,305 |
|
Research and development |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91,944 |
|
|
|
13,456 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128,722 |
|
|
|
18,838 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,317 |
|
|
|
13,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total share based compensation expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
359,895 |
|
|
|
52,671 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2009, RMB3,307,005 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to
unvested shares is expected to be recognized over the next 4 years. |
|
(14) |
|
COMMON SHARES |
|
|
|
On April 12, 2002, ATA Testing entered into a loan agreement with a third-party (the
Lender) and borrowed RMB19,000,000. In connection with the extension of the loan, in May
2003, ATA BVI issued a warrant to purchase 5,479,452 of its common shares to the Lender. The
exercise price of the warrant was RMB19,000,000. In June 2006, the Lender exercised the
warrant. The excess of the total price over the par value of the common shares (RMB438,564)
of RMB18,561,436 was recorded in additional paid-in capital. |
|
|
|
On January 7, 2008, the board of directors of the Company approved to increase the authorized
share capital of the Company to USD5 million consisting of 500 million common
shares, effective on February 1, 2008. |
|
|
|
In February 2008, upon the completion of the Companys IPO and exercise of the over-allotment
options by the underwriters, the Company issued 10,000,226 common shares, representing
5,000,113 ADS (See Note 1). |
|
|
|
On March 31, 2005, the Company issued 6,628,369 Series A convertible shares to two investors
SAIF and Winning King Ltd. In conjunction with the issuance of Series A convertible shares,
the Company also issued a warrant to purchase 883,783 Series A-1 convertible shares at an
exercise price of USD3.3945 (RMB27.2119) per share. On May 1, 2006, SAIF exercised the
warrant. The exercise of the warrant resulted in the issuance of Series A-1 convertible
shares at a price of RMB24,049,448 (USD3,000,000). |
|
|
|
Upon the completion of the Companys IPO on February 1, 2008, all issued and outstanding
Series A and Series A-1 convertible preferred shares were converted into 11,730,554 common shares. |
F - 31
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
In September 2008, the Company retired 3,579,320 treasury shares that was
originally repurchased in 2005 for RMB16,106,940. The excess of the repurchase price over the
par value of the retired common shares (RMB295,799) of RMB15,811,141, was charged to
additional paid-in capital. In addition, the Company retired 7 common shares that were
forfeited by shareholders when transferring their common shares in exchange for ADSs. |
|
|
|
In April 2008, as described in note 13, two officer employees exercised their
options to purchase 1,369,862 common shares at a total price of RMB5,226,173, which was paid
by one-year non-interest bearing notes payable of the same amount to the Company. The excess
of the total exercise price over the par value of the common shares (RMB95,895) of
RMB5,130,278, was recorded in additional paid-in capital. The notes receivable from the two
officer employees of RMB5,226,173 was recorded in shareholders equity as a contra-equity
item and was repaid in April 2009. |
|
|
|
In April and May 2008, warrants to purchase 547,944 common shares at an
exercise price of USD0.545 per share were exercised by the warrant holder. The excess of
the total exercise price over the par value of the common shares (RMB38,437) of
RMB2,054,176, was recorded in additional paid-in capital. |
|
|
|
As described in note 3, the Company issued warrants to purchase 126,803 of
its common shares to certain selling shareholders. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the
selling shareholders exercised the warrant and purchased 126,803 common shares at a total
exercise price of RMB4,660,677. The excess of the total exercise price over the par value of
the common shares (RMB8,876) of RMB4,651,801 was recorded in additional paid-in capital. |
|
|
|
The Companys board of directors has approved a share repurchase program on
November 13, 2008 to repurchase up to USD5 million worth of its outstanding ADSs from time to
time in open-market transactions. As of March 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 276,107 ADSs,
representing 552,214 common shares at a total repurchase price of RMB10,126,861 (USD1.47
million). |
|
(15) |
|
STATUTORY RESERVES |
|
|
|
In accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the PRC, the Companys PRC
consolidated entities are required to transfer 10% of their respective after tax profit, as
determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations to a general reserve
fund until the balance of the fund reaches 50% of the registered capital of the respective
entity. The transfer to this general reserve fund must be made before distribution of
dividends can be made. As of March 31, 2008 and 2009, the PRC consolidated entities
appropriated RMB102,597 and RMB3,334,751, respectively, to the general reserve fund, which is
restricted for distribution to the Company. |
|
(16) |
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
|
|
|
Lease commitments |
|
|
|
The Group entered into non-cancelable operating leases, primarily for office space, for
initial terms of one to five years. |
|
|
|
Minimum rent payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the
term of the lease, including any periods of free rent. |
|
|
|
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases (with initial or
remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of March 31, 2009 are: |
F - 32
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum |
|
|
|
Lease Amount |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
Year ended March 31, 2010 |
|
|
3,439,762 |
|
Year ended March 31, 2011 |
|
|
3,570,263 |
|
Year ended March 31, 2012 |
|
|
3,292,124 |
|
Year ended March 31, 2013 |
|
|
3,292,124 |
|
Year ended March 31, 2014 |
|
|
2,758,669 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,352,942 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rental expense for operating leases (except leases with a term of one month or less that are
not renewed) for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were RMB4,259,792,
RMB5,152,429 and RMB5,067,740, respectively. |
|
|
|
Capital commitments |
|
|
|
On August 7, 2008, the Company entered into agreements to purchase its Beijing office space
for cash of RMB51.5 million. On August 12, 2008, RMB0.4 million was paid to the seller as a
deposit and the remainder of the consideration was paid to the sellers on 21 July, 2009. The
minimum lease commitments information does not reflect the total lease payments of RMB887,310 relating to the Beijing office for the period from April 1, 2009 to the date of
acquisition. |
|
(17) |
|
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE |
|
|
|
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share are calculated as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Net earnings (loss) |
|
|
(16,789,852 |
) |
|
|
20,169,779 |
|
|
|
22,810,215 |
|
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
20,594,071 |
|
|
|
25,442,650 |
|
|
|
45,376,008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plus: Incremental shares issuable upon
Exercise of share options and vesting of
unvested shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,062,324 |
|
|
|
1,027,986 |
|
Exercise of warrants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
481,125 |
|
|
|
27,524 |
|
Conversion of convertible preferred shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,775,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share |
|
|
20,594,071 |
|
|
|
37,761,561 |
|
|
|
46,431,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per common share |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|
0.79 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share |
|
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|
0.53 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys common equivalent shares for the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
consist of 920,119, 2,062,324 and 1,027,986 common equivalent shares issuable upon exercise
of share options and the vesting of unvested shares (using the treasury stock method),
respectively;1,143,994, 481,125 and 27,524 common equivalent shares issuable upon exercise of
warrants (using the treasury stock method), respectively; and 11,655,493, 9,775,462 and nil
common equivalent shares issuable upon conversion of preferred shares (using the as-converted
method), respectively. For the year ended March 31, 2007, all common equivalent shares in the
diluted loss per share computation were excluded as their effect would be anti-dilutive. |
F - 33
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(18) |
|
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
|
|
|
The principal related party transactions during the years ended March 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009
are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
|
Note |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
|
RMB |
|
Repayment of loan provided to Keying
Shiji Co., Ltd. (Keying) |
|
|
(a |
) |
|
|
540,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of expenses
paid by ATA Jiangsu |
|
|
(b |
) |
|
|
60,857 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extinguishmentof a liability to ATA Jiangsu |
|
|
(b |
) |
|
|
1,480,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collection from ATA Jiangsu as a result of
the liquidation |
|
|
(b |
) |
|
|
29,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances to shareholders and management: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Operations related |
|
|
(c |
) |
|
|
2,631,924 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Other |
|
|
(d |
) |
|
|
1,655,213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of advances provided to shareholders and
management: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Operations related |
|
|
(c |
) |
|
|
3,501,960 |
|
|
|
19,770 |
|
|
|
|
|
- Other |
|
|
(d |
) |
|
|
4,593,746 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of advances provided by shareholders
and management: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Operations related |
|
|
(c |
) |
|
|
102,776 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes: |
|
(a) |
|
Two executive officers of the Company, own 90% and 10% shares, respectively, of
Keying. The loans made to Keying during the year ended March 31, 2006 were to finance
Keyings working capital and were interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.
Keying repaid the loan in full during the year ended March 31, 2007. |
|
(b) |
|
ATA Jiangsu (a previous affiliate of the Company) paid certain operating expenses
on behalf of ATA Testing. During the year ended March 31, 2007, the Company repaid
RMB60,857. As described in note 6, a liability to ATA Jiangsu of RMB1,480,087 was
extinguished upon the dissolution and liquidation of ATA Jiangsu. |
|
(c) |
|
The management and shareholders of the Group received/provided advances for
business related activities that are charged to the consolidated statements of
operations when the expenses are incurred. |
|
(d) |
|
The management and shareholders of the Group provided advances to the Group for
working capital purposes. In addition, the Group provided advances to management and
shareholders for operational or other purposes. The balances due to/from management and
shareholders were settled as of March 31, 2007. |
(19) |
|
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND HEIRARCHY |
|
|
|
The fair values of the financial instruments described below as of March 31, 2009 represent
managements best estimates of the amounts that would be received to sell those assets or
that would be paid to transfer those liabilities in an orderly transaction between market
participants at that date. Those fair value measurements maximize the use of observable
inputs. However, in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset
or liability at the measurement date, the fair value measurement reflects the Companys own
judgments about the assumptions |
F - 34
ATA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
|
|
that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Those judgments are
developed by the Company based on the best information available in the circumstances. |
|
|
|
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of
financial instruments: |
The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, advances to third parties,
employees and suppliers, which are included in the prepaid expenses and other current
assets and accrued expenses and other payables approximate their fair value because of
the short-term nature of these investments.
The fair values of long-term advances to third parties (included in other assets) as
of March 31, 2008 and 2009 are RMB9,092,940 and RMB nil respectively, and are
estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using the interest rate (7.47% for
the year ended March 31, 2008) at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with
similar credit ratings and remaining maturities.
|
|
As previously described, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 on April 1, 2008 for fair value
measurements of financial assets and financial liabilities and for fair value measurements of
nonfinancial items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements
on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the
inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest
priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
(Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant
unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are
as follows: |
|
|
|
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. |
|
|
|
|
Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are
observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. |
|
|
|
|
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. |
(20) |
|
SUBSIDY INCOME |
|
|
|
In the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company received
an award of RMB2,000,000 from the
local government because of the Companys successful listing in U.S. capital market. |
|
(21) |
|
REFUND OF ADR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES |
|
|
|
Citibank, N.A., the exclusive Depositary for the Companys American Depositary Receipts
Program (ADR Program), agrees to waive certain fees and to absorb certain costs relating to
the ADR Program (Program Administration Expenses) as set forth in an agreement dated
November 21, 2007 upon the Companys successful initial public offering. The refund of
Program Administration Expenses was RMB nil and RMB2,912,198 for the years ended March 31,
2008 and 2009, respectively, which were recorded as a reduction to the general and
administrative expenses. |
F - 35