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Learning Tree International Inc.

ltre · NASDAQ Consumer Defensive
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Ticker ltre
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Education & Training Services
Employees 501-1000
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FY2016 Annual Report · Learning Tree International Inc.
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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL’S

MISSION STATEMENT

Established in 1974, Learning Tree is a leading provider  

of IT and management training to business and government 

organizations worldwide.

We provide Workforce Optimization Solutions – a modern 

approach to delivering learning and development services that improves 

the adoption of skills, and accelerates the implementation of technical 

and business processes required to improve IT service delivery.

These workforce development services include: job roles and 

assessments, skill gaps analyses, blended learning solutions, as well as 

project and process implementation workshops.

Our expert instructors provide our course participants with real-world 

conceptual knowledge and practical skills that are reinforced through 

extensive hands-on exercises, as well as after-course benefits such as 

Computing Sandbox™ and Coaching.

We judge our success by the extent to which our clients perceive  

that Learning Tree has made a significant difference in their 

organization’s performance.

ANNUAL
REPORT
2016

Optimizing IT Workforce Performance

(703) 709-9119  •  LearningTree.com

Training You Can Trust

GLOBAL LEADER IN  IT & MANAGEMENT TRAINING

13650 Dulles Technology Drive, Suite 400 

Herndon, VA 20171

Annual Report Covers 2016.indd   1-3

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TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

February 27, 2017

Since 1974, Learning Tree has set the world standard for effective IT and management training, and related workforce development 
services. More than 2.4 million Learning Tree course participants from over 69,000 organizations around the world have enhanced their 
skills under the guidance of our expert instructors.

MEETING OUR CUSTOMERS’ WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Introduced IT Workforce Optimization Solutions

Organizations’ needs for training and professional development are evolving, and particularly so in the IT technical, analyst, and 
management disciplines. The investment in workforce must support improved outcomes, to include more successful project delivery, 
improved delivery processes and product quality, and ultimately improved business or mission outcomes. As such, our strategy has 
evolved to encompass three objectives:

1.   Offer a full range of Workforce Optimization Solutions that augment our traditional hands-on, instructor-led 

training capabilities. Our Workforce Optimization Solutions cover the life cycle of workforce development needs, from helping 
organizations define their organization structures, processes, and job roles; to assessing the current Knowledge, Skills, and 
Abilities (KSAs) of the staff; and to supporting the implementation of the means to enhance the KSAs through training, coaching, 
and mentoring of staff, along with supporting organizational process improvements. 

2.    Add e-Learning capabilities to our training solutions. Studies show that instructor-led training is still the best way to learn a 
subject area. Yet, self-directed e-Learning continues to grow, given the convenience and cost factors. Learning Tree believes that 
a “blended learning” approach, in which we work with an organization to harness the best of both instructor-led and e-learning 
is the most effective way to learn today. To that end, we work with our clients to develop customized e-Learning modules that 
are optimized to work with related instructor-led classes. We can extend this model and work with other e-Learning platform 
providers, tailoring our classes to maximize the effectiveness of a blended learning solution for our customers. 

3.   Provide a comprehensive suite of training courses to meet the needs of IT organizations. While Learning Tree continues 
to maintain and develop its own proprietary courseware, we cannot cover all topics and technologies that IT organizations need 
training on today. So, in addition to our own proprietary library of courses, we have begun to selectively broaden our course 
offerings by adding titles from certification organizations, hardware and software vendors, and from other training vendors. By 
providing a comprehensive suite of training courses to IT organizations, we are able to more effectively partner in providing the 
full complement of courses needed by our customers.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Learning Tree continues to augment and extend our capabilities to be a full-service provider in meeting our customers’ workforce 
development and enhancement needs. As always we ask to be judged by the quality of our courses & instructors and by our ability to  
help make a customer’s workforce more productive and effective, resulting in significantly improved business and mission outcomes.

Thank you for your continued trust and confidence.

Richard A. Spires
Chief Executive Officer

David C. Collins, Ph.D.
Cofounder and Chairman of the Board

This annual report and shareholder letter contains forward-looking statements that are subject to safe harbors under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended. Statements that refer to our future financial performance, the actions we intend to take and the expected impact thereof, and other characterizations of the future events or circumstances are 
forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, based on our current expectations about future events, and may not prove to be accurate. We do not undertake any obligation to update 
these forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring or circumstances arising after the date of this annual report. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and our actual results, 
performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements on the basis of several factors, including those that we discuss in the “Risk Factors” 
section and throughout our 2016 Form 10-K, which is included in this annual report. We encourage you to read that section carefully. 

Legal Counsel

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP 

2550 M Street NW 

Washington, DC 20037

Independent Registered  

Public Accounting Firm

BDO USA, LLP

8401 Greensboro Drive 

Suite 800 

McLean, VA 22102 

Stock Listing

Learning Tree’s common stock is 

quoted for trading on the OTCQX U.S. 

Market, operated by OTC Markets, 

Inc., under the trading symbol of 

“LTRE.”

Investor Inquiries

Communications regarding investor 

records, including changes of  

address, or ownership and  

exchanges of common stock,  

should be directed to Learning Tree’s 

transfer agent, Computershare 

Investor Services.

Other inquiries should be directed to 

the Office of the Chief Financial Officer 

at our corporate headquarters. 

W. Mathew Juechter

Former President and 

Chief Executive Officer 

IRA, Inc.

Former Chief Executive Officer 

ARC International. Wilson Learning

Howard A. Bain III

Former Chairman of the Board  

and Interim Chief Executive Officer 

Violin Memory

Former Chief Financial Officer 

Portal Software. Informix. Symantec

Mary C. Collins

Former Chief Administrative Officer  

and Corporate Secretary 

Learning Tree International

Stock Transfer Agent  

and Registrar

Computershare Investor Services 

P.O. Box 43078 

Providence, RI 02940-3078 

United States of America 

1-800-942-5909

Corporate Headquarters

13650 Dulles Technology Drive 

Suite 400 

Herndon, VA 20171-6156 

(703) 709-9119

Annual Meeting

April 11, 2017, 10:00 a.m. 

13650 Dulles Technology Drive

Suite 175

Herndon, VA 20171-6150 

(703) 709-9119

Former President and Founder  

L-3 PHOTONICS

Former President and Cofounder  

Tetra Tech, Inc.

John R. Phillips, Ph.D.

Founder  

Phillips Innovation Associates

Former Chief Scientist and Director 

for the Office of the Chief Scientist  

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

Richard A. Spires

Chief Executive Officer 

Learning Tree International 

Former Chief Information Officer 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Former Chief Information Officer 

and Deputy Commissioner 

Internal Revenue Service

BOARD OF DIRECTORS  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

David C. Collins, Ph.D.

Cofounder and Chairman of the Board  

Learning Tree International

Henri Hodara, Ph.D.

President and Founder  

SymbiOptix, Inc.

Richard A. Spires

Chief Executive Officer

David Asai

Chief Financial Officer

Magnus Nylund

Chief Operating Officer

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UNITED STATES  
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K   

(Mark One)   
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

 For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016  

OR  

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

 For the transition period from             to   

Commission file number 0-27248    
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC.  
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  

Delaware 
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization) 
13650 Dulles Technology Drive 
Herndon, VA 
(Address of principal executive offices)

95-3133814 
(I.R.S. Employer  
Identification No.) 

20171 
(Zip Code) 

(703) 709-9119  
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)  
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  

Title of each class 
None 

Name of each exchange on which registered
None 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.0001 par value 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities 

Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 

Act.    Yes  ☐    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:    Yes  ☒    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).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will 
not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part 
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ☒  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a 

smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in 
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):  

Large accelerated filer  ☐ 
Non-accelerated filer  ☐  (do not check if a smaller reporting company) 

Accelerated filer 
☐
Smaller reporting company  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒  
The aggregate market value of the common stock, $.0001 par value, held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of April 1, 2016 
was $4,148,216. (Excludes 7,618,652 shares held by directors and officers of the registrant since such persons may be deemed to be 
affiliates)  

The number of shares of common stock, $.0001 par value, outstanding as of December 29, 2016, was 13,224,349.   

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement of the registrant to be delivered to stockholders in connection with the 2017 Annual 

Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.  

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE  

 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Item 1.  Business 
Item 1A.Risk Factors 
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 
Item 2.  Properties 
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings 
Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosure 

Part I

Part II

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data 
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures 
Item 9B. Other Information 

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
Item 11. Executive Compensation 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 

Part IV

Signatures   

Exhibit Index   

Page

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS  

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Report” or “Form 10-K”) 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 (“Exchange Act”). You can find many (but not all) of these statements by looking for words such as 
“approximates,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “would,” “may” or other similar 
expressions in this Report. Our forward-looking statements, including the Outlook section in our Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis contained herein, relate to future events or our future performance and include, but are not limited to, 
statements concerning our business strategy, future commercial revenues, market growth, capital requirements, new 
product introductions, expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding. Other statements contained in this Report that are 
not historical facts are also forward-looking statements.  

We claim the protection of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We 

caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Report, or that we may make orally or in writing 
from time to time, are based on our beliefs, assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. Such 
statements are based on assumptions, and the actual outcome will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, 
uncertainties and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are 
reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our 
actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, 
investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements, which are based on known results and trends at the 
time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends.  

Some of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ 
materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements include those related to the following:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

ability to obtain additional liquidity in amounts and on terms acceptable to the Company;  

ability to reverse our trend of declining year over year revenues, and maintain liquidity; 

ability to successfully implement our new strategies to achieve our cost reduction goals; 

competition;  

international operations, including currency fluctuations;  

attracting and retaining qualified personnel;  

intellectual property, including having to defend potential infringement claims;  

implementation of partnerships with third party providers of courses and or course material;  

efficient delivery and scheduling of our courses;  

technology development and new technology introduction; 

the timely development, introduction, and customer acceptance of our courses and other products; 

changing economic and market conditions; and 

adverse weather conditions, strikes, acts of war or terrorism and other external events.  

For further discussion of these and other factors see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 

and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.” It should be noted that the risks included in this Report and our other 
filings are not exhaustive, and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. We 
operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time, and it is not possible 
for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the 
extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in 
any forward-looking statements.   

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This Report and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting 
on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. 
We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to our forward-
looking statements to reflect events, occurrences or circumstances, whether or not anticipated after the date of this Report 
except as otherwise required by law.  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING CLASSIFICATION AS A SMALLER REPORTING COMPANY 

Our Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 has been prepared following the Securities and 
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidelines for a smaller reporting company as defined by 229.10 (Item 10) of Regulation 
S-K. The rules and guidelines for a smaller reporting company allow a company to reduce the amount of historical 
disclosure required.   

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Item  1.            BUSINESS.  

PART I  

As used in this Report (unless the context otherwise requires) “Learning Tree”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to 

Learning Tree International, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  

Overview  

Learning Tree International, Inc. is a leading worldwide provider to business and government organizations for the 

workforce development and training of their information technology (“IT”) professionals and managers. Since our 
founding in 1974, we have provided high-quality predominantly vendor independent training to more than 2.4 million IT 
professionals and managers. In fiscal year 2016, while presenting courses in 32 countries, we trained 55,110 course 
participants from approximately 5,500 organizations, including large national and multinational companies, government 
organizations, and small and medium-size companies.  

We offer a broad, predominately proprietary, library of intensive instructor-led courses from one to five days in 

length, which at September 30, 2016 comprised 349 different course titles representing 5,565 hours of training, including 
140 multi-day IT course titles, 70 multi-day management course titles, and 139 one-day course titles. Learning Tree courses 
provide education and training across a wide range of technical and management disciplines, including operating systems, 
databases, computer networks, computer and network security, web development, programming languages, software 
engineering, open source applications, project management, business skills, leadership and professional development.  

In addition to training, we offer a suite of Workforce Optimization Solutions to support an IT organization’s life-

cycle of workforce development needs. Our solutions help ensure that an organization’s investment in training is relevant 
and leveraged to improving overall organization performance. These solutions range from helping organizations define 
their job roles, to assessing the current skills of the staff, providing coaching and mentoring of staff, and even serving as an 
outsourcer of an organization’s learning and training requirements. 

We market and present our courses and solutions through locally staffed operations in the United States, the United 

Kingdom, Canada, Sweden and Japan and, since the sale of our French subsidiary in February 2015, through a licensee 
arrangement in France. In fiscal year 2016, we generated approximately 37% of our revenues outside of the United States. 
We coordinate, plan and deliver our courses at our own Education Centers, external hotel and conference facilities and 
customer sites worldwide. We also offer courses through our proprietary live on-line learning platform, Learning Tree 
AnyWare™, which enable individuals located anywhere in the world to use their Internet browser to participate online in 
instructor-led classes being conducted live in our Education Centers, at customer locations, or at specially equipped 
facilities.  

We use a well-defined systematic approach to develop and update the Learning Tree course library so as to provide 
training that is immediately applicable by course participants to their work in a broad range of applications and industries. 
After assessing market need, courses may be translated into Swedish and Japanese, and into French by our licensee in 
France. Our proprietary course development process enables us to efficiently and effectively customize our courses to 
specific customer requirements for delivery at their sites.  

In the United Kingdom, our courses can be used to gain a Master’s degree in Professional Computing at Staffordshire 

University under a program administered by the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology. We are a trusted 
continuing professional education (“CPE”) provider of the International Information Systems Security Certification 
Consortium. In addition, we are on the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy National Registry of CPE 
sponsors; a Registered Education Provider of the Project Management Institute; an APMG International Accredited 
Training Organization; an International Institute of Business Analysis (“IIBA”) Endorsed Education Provider; an AXELOS 
Global Best Practice Strategic Partner; a GCHQ Certified Cyber Security Training Provider; a BCS Accredited Training 
Organization; and a SFIA Foundation Accredited Training Partner. 

Business Strategy  

The needs of organizations for training and professional development are evolving, and particularly so in the IT 

technical, analyst, and management disciplines. Organizations, whether they are companies or government agencies, are 
looking to ensure the investment in their workforce directly supports improved outcomes, to include more successful 
project delivery, improved delivery processes and product quality, and ultimately improved business or mission outcomes. 
Further, from an individual learner’s perspective, the rise of e-learning solutions has provided significant new options for 
self-directed learning at one’s own pace. As such, Learning Tree is evolving from a primary focus on being an IT training 

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company to a company that partners with IT organizations to meet the full range of IT and technology needs for their 
workforce development. As such, our business strategy has evolved to encompass three objectives: 

●  Offer a full range of Workforce Optimization Solutions that augment our traditional hands-on, instructor-

led training capabilities. Our Workforce Optimization Solutions cover the life-cycle of workforce development 
needs, from helping organizations define their organization structures, processes, and job roles; to assessing the 
current knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) of the staff; to supporting the implementation of the means to 
enhance the KSAs through training, coaching, mentoring of staff along with supporting organizational process 
improvements; and to providing an outsourcing service in which Learning Tree provides the full management 
of an organization’s learning initiatives. These additional solutions augment and support our traditional training 
service offerings. Yet these other solutions can help ensure that an organization’s investment in training is 
relevant and leveraged to improving overall organization performance. As an example, the use of Learning 
Tree’s automated skills assessments can provide staff members objective feedback on where are their strengths 
and weaknesses in their professional disciplines; such information is particularly valuable in creating custom 
learning plans, to include recommended training courses to maximize a staff member’s effectiveness on the job. 
From an organizational perspective, our instructors, who are practitioners in their field, can go well beyond the 
classroom to support organizations in driving process changes, in areas as diverse as planning and budgeting, 
service management, and agile project implementation. 

●  Add e-Learning capabilities to our training solutions. Based on existing studies, instructor-led training currently 

remains the best way to learn a subject area. Yet we recognize that self-directed e-Learning (meaning online courses 
without an instructor) continues to grow and gain market acceptance, given the convenience and cost factors 
involved. Learning Tree believes that a “blended learning” approach, in which we work with an organization to 
harness the best of both instructor-led and e-learning is the most effective way to deliver our courses and for 
attendees to learn today. To that end, we have and will continue to work with our clients to develop customized e-
Learning modules that are optimized to augment related instructor-led classes. We can extend this model and work 
with other e-Learning platform providers, tailoring our classes to maximize the effectiveness of a blended learning 
solution. 

●  Provide a comprehensive suite of training courses to meet the needs of IT organizations. Learning Tree develops 
and maintains its own proprietary courseware for its training courses worldwide. In addition to our own proprietary 
library of courses, we have begun to strategically broaden our course offerings by adding titles from certification 
organizations, hardware and software vendors, and from other training vendors. As an example, we are partnering 
with ISC2, an organization offering cyber security professional certifications, to offer their courses for preparation of 
the exams to become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a Certified Cloud Security 
Professional (CISP). As another example, we have recently entered an agreement to offer courses provided by 
another training provider for a wide range of courses on Cisco products. By providing a comprehensive suite of 
training courses to IT organizations, we are able to more effectively partner in providing the full complement of 
courses needed by our customers. 

We continue to experience a decline in course attendance at our public courses which are taught at our Education 

Centers. To address this decline, the Company has been working to leverage resellers and other partner models to increase 
our sales reach, amplifying the growth of our internal sales teams, and partnering with certification organizations and other 
appropriate training providers to broaden and deepen the training products we offer as described above. Our overall 
objective is to stabilize the revenue from training offered via our Education Centers, grow our revenue from Workforce 
Optimization Solutions for enterprise clients, and reverse the year-over-year declines in revenue.  

In addition, Learning Tree is continuing to explore other strategic options available to it to enhance stockholder 
value. Learning Tree does not expect to comment further or update the market with any additional information on the 
strategic options it is evaluating, unless and until its Board of Directors deems disclosure appropriate or necessary.  

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Comprehensive Cost Reduction Program 

In addition to strategies to increase our revenue in the 2016 fiscal year, we undertook measures to improve our 

operating expenses through a comprehensive cost reduction program. As a result of this program, we achieved 
approximately $6.8 million in operating cost reductions, excluding a restructuring charge of $1.9 million relating to 
excess classroom capacity at our Reston, VA facility, in the 2016 fiscal year when compared to our expenses for the 2015 
fiscal year. In August 2016, we accelerated our comprehensive cost reduction program with the objective of 
significantly reducing our fiscal year 2017 overall expenses in the range of $10.0 million to $12.0 million when compared 
to our expenses for fiscal year 2016. These reductions have been initiated to right-size our operations, modernize our 
business operations to meet changing customer demand and preserve capital. To implement these cost reductions for the 
2017 fiscal year, we have taken the following steps: 

● 

● 
● 

● 

● 

Eliminated our direct mail course catalog advertising program. In addition to being a “green initiative”, we 
believe that our overall customer-base has shifted the manner in which it selects and purchases courses away 
from printed catalogs toward greater use of digital channels, such as website, social media and digital 
advertising.  
Made our course notes available electronically and only produce a paper copy if requested by our attendee.  
Completed a reduction in force of 26 full time equivalent employees in North America, during the fourth 
quarter of fiscal year 2016.  
Reduced the compensation paid to our Board of Directors in 2016, which our directors unanimously agreed to 
do as part of our cost reduction program. Effective August 1, 2016, our directors are compensated for meeting 
fees and serving as Committee chairmen, but do not receive any monthly or yearly fee. 
Reduced our real estate costs, through the elimination or nonrenewal of certain leased facilities and negotiation 
for replacement facilities. As other facility leases expire, additional cost reductions will be evaluated. 

 As part of this program, Learning Tree will continue to review and take appropriate actions in fiscal year 2017 to 

streamline its operations in order to reduce or eliminate excess costs.  

Workforce Optimization Solutions. As described above, a core strategy is to grow our position as a leading 
worldwide provider of training and workforce development to IT professionals and managers of large national and 
multinational companies, medium-size companies and government organizations. Over the past few years, we have 
started working with our clients to provide additional services that address the life cycle of organizational performance 
challenges that exists within IT organizations worldwide. To that end, we introduced IT Workforce Optimization 
Solutions during the 2015 fiscal year, which is a comprehensive suite of services to support the IT organizations of our 
clients with the objective of: defining organizational structure, processes, and job roles; assessing current staff skills and 
abilities; implementing performance improvements by enhancing the skills and abilities of staff and helping to implement 
process improvements; and providing an outsourcing service in which Learning Tree provides the full management of an 
organization’s learning initiatives. Workforce Optimization Solutions augments and enhances our core training 
capabilities enabling Learning Tree to partner with our customers in helping them develop a high-performing 
organization through workforce development and process improvement. 

As part of Workforce Optimization Solutions, we released a skills assessment solution that ultimately will be 
aligned with the competencies as defined by the non-profit organization, Skills Assessment for the Information Age 
(SFIA) Foundation. Our current skills assessment library contains more than 9,000 questions that cover 130 different 
roles across many IT disciplines. We have developed an automated, online tool for individuals to complete assessments, 
and we are working with several companies that are using our skills assessment solution to help them assess current 
competencies of their staff as input to developing individual learning plans. 

Through Workforce Optimization Solutions, we have been successfully providing Project Acceleration Workshops 

for organizations. These workshops combine a training component for an organization, while leveraging that training to 
support work on a specific customer project. A Project Acceleration Workshop might be focused on creating a Work 
Break Down (WBS) structure for a project, and as such our instructor would provide training to a customer project team 
on that subject. But the Workshop would then focus on the creation of a WBS for a specific customer project, so that at 
the end of the Workshop, the customer project team has a tangible product that can be used to help manage that project. 
We have received positive feedback on the value of these workshops by both attendees and the customer organizations.  

While we do believe Workforce Optimization Solutions is a meaningful strategy for the Company and its future 

growth, this strategy did not have a significant impact on the Company’s revenues for fiscal year 2016. 

In addition to our new business strategies, we continue to invest in our enterprise sales functions. We believe this 
investment together with Workforce Optimization Solutions will enable us to better position ourselves to support large 
corporations and government agencies and to support our financial objective of stabilizing and growing revenue and 
reversing the year-over-year declines that we have been experiencing. Although we will be working diligently to 

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accomplish these goals, there is no assurance that we will achieve them, and if so, by the effective timing of fiscal year 
2017. 

 Commitment to Quality Training. For the past 42 years, we have set the highest standards of excellence in 

educating and training IT professionals and managers throughout the world. Our course participants have consistently rated 
Learning Tree instructors and courses at the top end of the scale. These ratings reflect our ongoing commitment to quality 
and innovations in instructional delivery, including our patented MagnaLearn™ Instructional Enhancement System, 
AdaptaLearn™ Hands-On Learning System, After-Course Instructor Coaching, Computing Sandbox for Practice and 
Experiments, as well as the latest up-to-date hands-on course equipment, continuing revision and updating of our course 
materials, and the ongoing training and coaching of our already superb instructors. Our AnyWare™ e-Learning platform 
extends the full range of Learning Tree features and standards to our online participants, so that they enjoy the same results 
as our in-class participants.   

  High Quality Instructor Team. As of September 30, 2016, we had 602 course instructors located around the world. 

Learning Tree instructors are practicing professionals with expert subject knowledge. Our average instructor has over 20 
years of “hands-on, real world” experience in the fields that they teach. Learning Tree instructors teach an average of 
approximately seven course events per year on an “as-needed” basis. During the rest of the year, they work for other 
organizations either as full-time employees or as independent technical or management consultants. This “on-demand” 
structure enables us to quickly schedule additional courses anywhere in the world and to respond efficiently to our 
customers’ needs for IT and management skills training. Our course participants particularly benefit because Learning Tree 
instructors generally spend the majority of their time working in industry settings, and therefore provide our course 
participants with up-to-date, practical knowledge and skills in the latest technological and management developments. Our 
instructors also provide us with unique access to a large pool of industry experts on IT and management trends throughout 
the world that is especially valuable in our decisions and development process for new course titles.  

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled instructors. We use a systemized process in 

each of our local operating subsidiaries to identify, engage, train, coach, and evaluate our instructor team. Our instructors 
are highly loyal as evidenced by our annual instructor retention rate of over 90%.  

Broad Proprietary Course Library. We offer a broad, proprietary course library which as of September 30, 2016 

totaled 349 instructor-led one- to five-day course titles comprising a total of 5,565 hours of classroom instruction covering 
a wide range of IT and management topics.   

The following table itemizes the number of Learning Tree course titles by curriculum as of September 30, 2016:  

Curriculum

Number of  
Course Titles 

Total Hours  
of Training

Cyber Security 
Leadership & Professional Development 
SQL Server 
Project Management 
SharePoint  
Agile and Scrum 
Windows Systems  
Web Development & XML 
Networking & Virtualization 
.NET/Visual Studio 
ITIL® & COBIT® Training 
Business Analysis 
Big Data 
Software Development 
Microsoft Office 
Java, Perl & Python Programming 
Oracle Databases 
Linux & UNIX 
Communication 
Mobile App Development & Mac Programming 
Cloud Computing 
Python, Perl, & C++ 

27      
26      
26      
25      
25     
24      
20      
19      
18      
18      
15      
14      
14      
14      
11      
10      
10      
10      
8      
6      
6      
3      
349      

501  
282  
372  
336  
378  
324  
384  
306  
348  
270  
300  
198  
234  
210  
138  
168  
216  
180  
150  
120  
78  
72  
5,565  

Total   

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As a leading provider of IT training, our objective is to provide our customers with job-focused, hands-on learning 

experiences that best meet their needs for the development of their professional IT staff and managers. We design our 
proprietary courses to provide participants an unbiased perspective of both the strengths and limitations of software and 
hardware products and an understanding of how to compare and integrate multiple platforms and technologies from various 
vendors. Drawing from the expertise of our international team of instructors, each course incorporates multiple points of 
view concerning IT applications used throughout the world. Our IT courses are designed to be highly interactive; most 
involve “hands-on” training on networked state-of-the-art workstations so that participants can practice and assimilate the 
skills being taught. Participants spend a significant portion of each hands-on course working on computer-based exercises 
and participating in group workshops and class interactions. As a result, they return to their jobs with the confidence to 
immediately apply the new skills and knowledge they have gained.  

Our management courses, while including core concepts and theory, focus heavily on providing practical skills, tools, 
and techniques that participants can apply immediately upon returning to their jobs. Participants work extensively in group 
exercises that provide the opportunity for them to practice applying the key concepts in real-world situations. These real-
world scenarios are primarily delivered through our performance-based management training platform. Our courses bring 
the real world to life in the classroom through the use of computer-based and rich-media simulations, supplemented with 
substantial amounts of hands-on exercises and group activities, facilitated by experts in their respective fields.  

As of September 30, 2016, we offered 140 multi-day titles in our IT curriculum, compared to 122 multi-day titles at 
the end of fiscal year 2015. As of September 30, 2016, we offered 70 multi-day titles in our management curriculum, the 
same as at the end of fiscal year 2015. As of September 30, 2016, we offered 139 one-day courses compared to 153 one-
day course titles at the end of fiscal year 2015, bringing the total number of courses offered to 349. To assist participants in 
their long-term professional development, we offer Learning Tree Specialist and Expert Certifications in 21 different 
disciplines in which participants earn their Learning Tree-issued certification by successfully completing either two or three 
specific Learning Tree courses in a particular field, and demonstrating mastery by passing the certification examination 
associated with the specific courses. Expert Certification also requires the successful completion of an in-depth, hands-on 
assessment exam.  

Over our 42-year history, we have developed and implemented a well-defined, systematic approach for rapidly 
developing, customizing and updating courses in the Learning Tree library and for translating our course content into 
multiple languages. We organize courses into curricula that reflect general topics or disciplines. We continuously update 
our course curriculum structure and course content and add new course titles to keep pace with the introduction of new 
technologies and to reflect the evolving training needs of our customers. To identify potential new courses for 
development, we incorporate feedback from the worldwide Learning Tree instructor team, course participants and 
customers, and from the development groups of leading IT vendors. In fiscal year 2016, we introduced 32 new multi-day 
course titles and 31 new one-day course titles, while retiring 14 multi-day and 46 one-day course titles. We expect course 
development costs to vary in the future, primarily depending on the number of new titles we introduce in any period, as 
well as the overall size of the total course library we must maintain. As described above, we are also starting to partner with 
other organizations to offer their course titles. 

International Infrastructure and Logistics Capability. We meet customer demand for scheduling flexibility by 

delivering course events frequently and at multiple locations throughout the world, and by making our advertised course 
titles available online through Learning Tree AnyWare™. Our sophisticated infrastructure and logistics capability allow us 
to coordinate, plan and deliver Learning Tree courses at our education centers and external hotel and conference facilities 
worldwide. We also present standard or customized courses on demand at customer facilities whenever and wherever 
desired, with quality standards that are identical to those for courses presented in Learning Tree Education Centers. By 
using our team of 605 instructors, our course development and customization processes, our team of customer support 
specialists, our logistics team and our thousands of classroom computer workstations, we can rapidly and effectively 
deliver our Learning Tree courses both domestically and internationally.  

In fiscal year 2016, we presented 4,963 course events at Learning Tree Education Centers and at third-party and 
customer sites in a total of 32 countries. We currently operate wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States (since 1974), 
the United Kingdom (since 1978), Canada (since 1985), Sweden (since 1986) and Japan (since 1989). Each subsidiary is 
staffed by local personnel responsible for the sale and delivery of courses in its local country as well as in other designated 
countries. In fiscal year 2016, our foreign operations produced approximately 37% of our revenues. See Note 9 of “Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements” for certain financial data regarding operating segments and geographic regions. On an 
on-going basis, we evaluate the advisability of expansion or contraction of our operations both within cities and countries 
with existing Learning Tree Education Centers and in new cities or countries.   

Long-Term Relationships with Global Customer Base. We have built long-standing relationships with our customer 
base of large national and multinational companies, medium-sized companies and government organizations throughout the 
world, and seek to build continuing relationships both with these employers and with the individual employees who 
participate in our courses. Our customers operate in a wide range of sectors, including finance, computer, communications, 

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electronics, systems integration, aerospace, government and military, manufacturing, and energy. Of our 100 largest clients 
in fiscal year 2011, 96 were still our clients five years later in fiscal year 2016. In fiscal year 2016, we provided training to 
55,126 course participants, and over 125 of our corporate and government customers purchased more than $100,000 of 
Learning Tree training. No one commercial customer or government agency accounted for 10% or more of our revenues in 
fiscal year 2016.   

Backlog. Our sales backlog at September 30, 2016 was $14.8 million. This compares to a sales backlog of $17.8 

million at October 2, 2015. We currently expect the entire backlog to be executed within fiscal year 2017.  

Multi-Tiered Sales and Marketing Organization. We have a multi-tiered sales and marketing organization that 
integrates direct mail, electronic marketing, telemarketing and field sales to market and sell our course offerings to existing 
customers and to attract new customers. As of September 30, 2016, we employed a team of 30 direct field sales 
representatives and related support staff and a telemarketing sales team of 79 telemarketers and related support staff. 

As we have since our inception, we maintain a strong brand image for providing high-quality training for IT 

professionals and managers through the prominent use of our trademarks in our marketing and course materials. We market 
our courses primarily through digital marketing campaigns and electronic mail to our proprietary database of approximately 
3 million technology professionals and managers who have attended, inquired about, or sent a staff member to Learning 
Tree courses. We send targeted, personalized e-mails through our automated e-mail marketing system to advise prospective 
course participants of upcoming events. We also market our products and services over the Internet on our website 
(www.learningtree.com). Information contained on our website is not part of this Form 10-K.  

To encourage repeat purchases from existing customers, we have introduced My Learning Tree for attendees and 
managers of attendees. Learning Tree customers are provided with their own ‘My Learning Tree’ account, which attendees 
and their managers can use to access a growing list of unique benefits. We also offer multiple-course discount programs—
Learning Tree “Training Passports” and Learning Tree “Training Vouchers”—and provide the Specialist and Expert 
Certification Programs. We believe that in addition to generating revenues directly, these programs foster long-term 
relationships with participants and encourage participants to recommend Learning Tree courses to their colleagues.  

Learning Tree Training Passports permit an individual Passport holder to attend up to a specified number of courses, 
generally two, three or four, during a one- to two-year period. List prices for Passports are significantly discounted from the 
list price of the equivalent number of individual courses. The Learning Tree Training Voucher program allows corporate 
customers to buy Vouchers in quantities from three to hundreds at volume-discounted prices, for future courses to be taken 
by any person in the customer organization generally over a twelve-month period.  

Markets and Competition  

Instructor-Led Training. The IT and management training markets in which we compete include outside third-party 

providers, as well as in-house training conducted by organizations for their own employees. In addition, third-party 
providers of training include non-profit associations, as well as “for-profit providers” and both for-profit and non-profit 
“academic providers”, who offer courses that lead to accredited undergraduate or graduate degrees.  

We are a for-profit provider of IT training and management education. Our main competitors offer course titles and 

programs similar to ours at prices in a range equal to or lower than ours. In addition, some competitors have greater 
financial or other resources than we do.   

We believe that the IT and management training markets are highly fragmented, with low barriers to entry. We face 

intense competition from both established entities and new entries in the market. Our primary competitors include:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

internal training departments within our current and potential customers;  

computer hardware and software vendors and their Authorized Training and Education Center partners;  

independent education and training companies;  

academic providers; and  

software systems integrators. 

Many competitive third-party training providers often provide training as one of several services or product lines. We 

differentiate ourselves from these providers based on our experience over four decades, the breadth and quality of our 
proprietary course library, our addition of workforce optimization solutions, our worldwide delivery capability, and the 
size, quality and experience of our instructor force.  

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Internal training departments generally provide companies with the most control over the method and content of 
training, enabling them to tailor programs to their specific needs. However, we believe that internal trainers find it difficult 
to keep pace with new technologies, lack the hands-on experience needed to teach the latest technological developments 
and lack the capacity to meet demand for training, and therefore many organizations must supplement their internal training 
resources with externally supplied training. This is particularly critical when dealing with new or emerging technologies. 
Additionally, internal training departments may not operate consistently on a worldwide basis, where we offer consistent IT 
and management courses, processes and quality around the globe.  

Our customers are widely diversified across industries and geographies, with varying fiscal years including many 

whose fiscal years coincide with the United States government’s September 30 budget year, many who are on the 
calendar year, and many whose fiscal years coincide with the United Kingdom and Canadian governments’ March 31 
budget year. We also see seasonal variations in our business as a result of other factors, including summer vacations, 
especially in Europe.  

E-Learning and Blended Learning. IT and management training are primarily delivered by classroom instructors, 

video, and technology-based training, including Internet-based e-learning and printed means. Independent industry reports 
state that, consistent with the prior ten years, for the 2015 State of the Industry report, instructor-led classroom delivery 
continued to be the most widely used method for delivery of corporate training, with approximately 66% of all training 
being instructor-led. We believe this is because instructor-led training provides the greatest focus and ability for 
participants to learn, practice and receive feedback on their mastery of new knowledge and skills. Course participants value 
the personalized interaction and problem-solving with their instructor and fellow participants, and the opportunity to get 
expert advice on the application of the course material to their own projects. Furthermore, instructor-led classroom training 
insulates course participants from workplace interruptions and accelerates their learning of new technologies. The use of 
technology-based IT training formats, such as Internet-based e-learning, has gained acceptance in the IT and management 
training and education market, largely gaining market share at the expense of other self-study formats including video and 
printed materials.  

We have continued to investigate technology-based training formats and how they might effectively be integrated 
into our training programs. We developed Learning Tree AnyWare™, our proprietary live online learning platform that 
integrates participants in remote online locations into live class events in another location. Remote participants use an 
ordinary Internet connection to connect to our AnyWare™ classroom interface. Once logged in, remote AnyWare™ class 
participants see and hear their classroom-based instructor and classmates in real time, and view the instructor’s annotations 
on two in-class MagnaLearn™ projection screens. They are able to participate in discussions, ask questions, work in 
breakout sessions, and complete the same hands-on exercises under the guidance of an expert instructor as their in-class 
counterparts. They gain the full benefit of our proprietary courseware, and achieve the same level of knowledge and skill 
transfer as in-class participants. Through AnyWare™, we effectively apply technology to leverage the strengths of our 
classroom offerings providing greater flexibility for our customers by providing them with more scheduled course dates 
from which to choose. With the use of our AnyWare™ product, our clients anywhere in the world can choose to participate 
in any course event being taught at any of our Education Centers, without the need to travel or commute to the actual 
course site.   

We have utilized stand-alone AnyWare™ Learning Centers in strategic locations to promote the use of on-line 

attendance through the use of our AnyWare™ product. These AnyWare™ Learning Centers provide our customers 
convenient access to our courses via our AnyWare™ platform in a setting optimized for equipment, communication, 
Internet connectivity speed, and learning environment, at a location near to where they live or work, eliminating any added 
travel costs to attend a course at one of our Education Centers. As acceptance of the AnyWare™ product has grown, we 
have started to reduce the number of stand-alone AnyWare™ Learning Centers, which are typically located in short-term 
rental facilities. As of September 30, 2016, we had a total of 31 Learning Tree AnyWare™ Learning Centers, including 16 
stand-alone AnyWare™ Learning Centers in North America, six in the United Kingdom, two in Sweden, and another seven 
located within our Education Centers. During the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2017, we will reduce the number 
of stand-alone AnyWare™ Learning Centers to five in North America, one in the United Kingdom, and two in Sweden. 
The AnyWare™ Learning Centers located within our existing North American Education Centers will remain and have the 
capacity to handle eight attendees each with some able to accommodate up to 15 attendees. 

Employees  

Our executive officers have extensive experience in the training and education industry with an average of over 24 

years of experience with us and over 29 years of relevant industry experience.  

On September 30, 2016, we had a total of 288 full-time equivalent employees, 103 of whom were employed outside 

the United States. We also utilized the services of 602 expert instructors to teach our courses on an “as-needed” basis.  

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Intellectual Property Rights  

Our course development process and many of our course titles are proprietary, and we rely on a combination of 

copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, customer licensing agreements, employee and third-party nondisclosure 
agreements and other methods to protect those proprietary rights.  

“LEARNING TREE”, “LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL”, the Learning Tree “Tree Design” logo, 
“LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL” and Design, “LEARNING TREE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION” and 
Design, “LEARNING TREE ANYWARE BE THERE WITH ANYWARE” and Design, “LEARNING TREE 
ANYWARE”, “ANYWARE”, “ANYWARE” and Design, “ANYWARE LEARNING CENTER”, “ANWARE LIVE”, 
“ANYWARE LIVE” and Design, “LEARNING TREE ANYWARE ENTERPRISE”, “LEARNING TREE ANYWARE 
ENTERPRISE” and Design, and “LEARNING TREE ANYWARE YOUR EXPERTISE DELIVERED ANYWHERE!” 
and Design, “BE THERE! …WITH ANYWARE”, “EDUCATION IS OUR BUSINESS”, “EDUCATION YOU CAN 
TRUST”, “WE BRING EDUCATION TO LIFE”, “PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH EDUCATION”, “REALITYPLUS” 
and Design, “REALITYPLUS MANAGEMENT EDUCATION FOR THE REAL WORLD”, “TRAINING PASSPORT”, 
“TRAINING ADVANTAGE”, “ALUMNI GOLD”, “TRAINING YOU CAN TRUST”, “WE BRING LEARNING TO 
LIFE”, “WWW.LEARNINGTREE.COM”, “MAGNALEARN”, “VENDOR INDEPENDENT TRAINING YOU CAN 
TRUST”, “ADAPTALEARN”, “ADAPTALEARN” and Design, “MY GOLD CLUB” and Design, “MY LEARNING 
TREE”, “MY LEARNING TREE” and Design, “LIVELINKED”, “LIVELINKED” and Design, “LIVELINKED 
CLASSROOM”, “LIVELINKED CLASSROOM” and Design, “LEARNING TREE UNIVERSITY CONSORTIUM” and 
Design, “ON-SITE COURSES” and Design, “800-LRN-TREE”, “800-THE-TREE” and LEARNING TREE LEAP 
SYSTEM are among our trademarks and service marks. In addition to our trademarks and service marks, this Form 10-K 
also contains trademarks and trade names of other companies.  

We own the copyright to the majority of course materials we develop. Our copyrighted course materials help 

differentiate our services from those of our competitors.  

Our MagnaLearn® Instructional Enhancement System is covered by patents in the United States and a number of 

foreign countries. The MagnaLearn® system gives Learning Tree instructors greater flexibility to customize and pace 
course presentations by allowing them to annotate, highlight and manipulate course materials on two independent 
projection screens, in real time. The system also provides automated feedback to our course development resources, 
allowing constant improvement of courses and the ability to consistently update courses immediately on a worldwide basis. 

We have obtained patent protection in the United States and a number of foreign countries related to our Learning 

Tree AnyWareTM live online learning platform.  

Regulatory Environment  

We are paid directly by the employers of Learning Tree course participants and do not receive funding from any 
government student-aid or loan programs. As a result, we do not depend on government Title IV funding and are generally 
exempt from the governmental regulation of public education providers. However, our results of operations could be 
affected by future changes to current licensing or regulatory requirements.  

Available Information  

We make available free of charge on our website (www.learningtree.com) via our “Investor Relations” link, our 
Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed or 
furnished with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after such 
material is electronically filed or furnished to the SEC. In addition, information concerning purchases and sales of our 
equity securities by our executive officers and directors is posted on our website. Information contained on our website is 
not part of this Form 10-K. Our 10-K may also be obtained free of charge by written request to the Chief Financial Officer, 
Learning Tree International, Inc., 13650 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, VA 20171. Members of the public may read 
and copy any document that Learning Tree files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., 
Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the Public Reference Room. 
The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other 
information that issuers, including Learning Tree, file electronically with the SEC.  

Item 1A.         RISK FACTORS.  

You should carefully consider the following discussion of various risks and uncertainties, keeping in mind that they 

are not the only ones that affect us. Additional risks that we do not presently consider material, or of which we are not 
currently aware, may also have an adverse impact on us.  

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Going Concern; Limited Liquidity and Negative Cash Flows 

We have had negative cash flows from operations, have not achieved a net profit for the past two years and there is 

substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and if we are not able to generate positive cash flow, our 
business operations may not be able to continue. 

Over the past two years we have experienced net losses and a trend of declining revenue year over year. In fiscal year 

2016, our worldwide revenues from continuing operations decreased to $81.6 million from $94.9 million in fiscal year 
2015, or 14.0%. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
While we have initiated several business strategies and initiatives to stabilize and increase revenue and implemented a 
Comprehensive Cost Reduction Program to reduce operating expenses, there is no assurance that these initiatives will 
generate sufficient cash flow, improve our profitability or increase our liquidity. As a result, the report the Company 
received from its independent registered public accounting firm on its consolidated financial statements as of September 
30, 2016 contains an explanatory paragraph stating that there is substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets, and 
may realize significantly less than the values at which they are carried on our financial statements, and stockholders may 
lose all or part of their investment in our common stock.  

Our consolidated financial statements were prepared based on the assumption that we will continue to operate as a 

going concern and do not reflect any adjustment that might result if we were not able to continue operations.  

The consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 that accompany this Form 10-K 

were prepared under the assumption that we will continue to operate as a going concern. Although our consolidated 
financial statements raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, they do not reflect any 
adjustment or impact that might result if we were not unable to continue ongoing operations. 

Our Financing Agreement requires there to be acceptable Company accounts receivable in order to receive 
advances from our lender, which amounts may not be available in the amounts or at the times that we may need them. 

We entered into a Financing and Security Agreement, dated January 12, 2017 (“Financing Agreement”) with Action 

Capital Corporation (“Action Capital”), which provides us with potential access to borrowing of up to an aggregate 
maximum principal amount of $3.0 million. Amounts advanced to us under this Financing Agreement are subject to the 
prior approval of Action Capital and the availability of Company accounts receivable that are acceptable to Action Capital. 
Accordingly, there is no assurance that advances will be made to us in the amounts and at the times when they are 
requested by us, which could have an adverse impact on our liquidity and ability to operate the business. In addition, we 
may not have the requisite amount of acceptable accounts receivable in order to borrow up to the maximum principal 
amount under the Financing Agreement.  

The loss of available credit under the Financing Agreement or termination of the Financing Agreement could 

adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to operate our business. 

We are currently in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. If, however, events 
were to occur, which result in either a termination of the Financing Agreement, us losing all or a substantial portion of our 
available credit under the Financing Agreement, or if we are otherwise prevented from accessing such funds, and we did 
not have an alternative line of credit or other additional sources of capital available, then we would need to rely upon our 
cash and cash equivalents for our working capital needs, which may not be sufficient. In addition, because the Financing 
Agreement has no set term and may be terminated by either party at any time, we cannot be certain that our working capital 
needs that are sourced through this lending arrangement will be available when needed. If we were unable to replace this 
source of liquidity, then our ability to fund our operations could be materially and adversely affected. We cannot be certain 
that any additional financing will be available to us or that it will be available on commercially reasonable terms.  

We currently have limited sources of liquidity and may need to obtain another credit facility and/or raise new capital 

to provide additional liquidity. If we fail to obtain additional liquidity as needed, then we will continue to rely on our 
balance of cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash flows from operations to finance our operating cash needs to the extent 
that our operating cash flows will allow and amounts available under any existing lending arrangements.  

Prior to entering into the Financing Agreement, we primarily relied upon our balance of cash and cash equivalents on 

hand and cash flows from operations to finance our operating cash needs. Our working capital needs have exceeded, and 
are anticipated to continue to exceed for the near future, our cash flows from operations. Our cash and cash equivalents 
from continuing operations decreased by $9.4 million to $8.5 million at September 30, 2016 from $17.9 million at October 
2, 2015. If we do not increase our revenues and overall profitability or have access to advances under the Financing 
Agreement at the amounts we need or have access to additional capital or financing that we may require to finance our 
operations that may or may not be available to us, or even if available, may not be on satisfactory terms or in adequate 

13

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
amounts, then our cash and cash equivalents will continue to decline. Consequently, any adverse impact on our operating 
results would impact our cash flows from operations and our ability to continue to meet our operating cash needs which 
would likely have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our stock price. 

Price Fluctuations and Limited Market for Our Common Stock  

Historically, our common stock price has fluctuated, and we expect fluctuations to continue in the future.  

General Factors. We believe some of the reasons for past fluctuations in the price of our stock related to factors such 

as:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

variations in our revenues, gross margins, earnings or other financial results;  

fluctuations in general conditions in the economy, our market, and the markets served by our customers;  

announcements of developments related to our business;  

announcements concerning new products or enhancements by us or our competitors;  

developments in our relationships with our customers;  

•  market perceptions of new means of delivering training;  

• 

• 

introductions of new technologies both by our customers and technology vendors; and  

limited public float and low daily trading volume. 

In addition, prices in the stock market, particularly for technology-related stocks, have been volatile in recent years. 

In some cases, the fluctuations have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. As a result, the 
price of our common stock could fluctuate in the future without regard to our operating performance.  

Future Sales of Our Common Stock.  

Sales of our common stock by our founders, officers, directors and employees could adversely and unpredictably 

affect the price of shares of our common stock. Additionally, the price could be affected even by the potential for sales by 
these persons. In addition to the 13,224,349 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 5, 2016, as of that date, 
we are authorized to issue up to 850,000 shares of common stock upon the exercise of outstanding options, and an 
additional 281,850 shares of common stock remained available for issuance of equity awards under our 2007 Equity 
Incentive Plan. We cannot predict the effect that any future sales of our common stock, or the potential for those sales, will 
have on our share price.   

Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQX US Market (OTCQX) and has a limited trading market. 

The Company’s common stock is quoted on the OTCQX, and the quotation of our common stock on the OTCQX 
does not assure that a liquid trading market exists or will develop. Stocks traded on the OTCQX marketplace generally 
have limited trading volume and exhibit a wider spread between the bid/ask quotations than stocks traded on national 
exchanges. Moreover, a significant number of institutional investors have investment policies that prohibit them from 
trading in stocks on the OTCQX marketplace. As a result, investors may find it difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate 
quotations of the price of, our securities. This significantly limits the liquidity of the common stock, and may adversely 
affect the market price of our common stock. A limited market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling shares 
of capital stock and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or assets by using common stock as consideration. 

We do not currently, and are not expected to in the foreseeable future, meet the listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock 
Market or any other national securities exchange. We presently anticipate that our common stock will continue to be quoted 
on the OTCQX. As a result, investors must bear the economic risk of holding their shares of our common stock for an 
indefinite period of time. 

Our common stock is a “penny stock” which may adversely impact the liquidity of our common stock. 

The SEC has adopted regulations that generally define “penny stock” as an equity security that has a market price of 

less than $5.00 per share, subject to specific exemptions. The market price of our common stock is, and is expected to 
continue to be in the near term, less than $5.00 per share and, therefore, a “penny stock.” Brokers and dealers effecting 
transactions in a “penny stock” must disclose certain information concerning the transaction, obtain a written agreement 

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from the purchaser and determine that the purchaser is reasonably suitable to purchase the securities. Those rules may 
restrict the ability of brokers or dealers to sell the Company’s common stock and may affect the ability of our stockholders 
to sell their shares of our common stock. In addition, if our common stock continues to be quoted on the OTCQX as we 
expect, then our stockholders may find it difficult to obtain accurate quotations for our stock, and may find few buyers to 
purchase our stock and few market makers to support its price. 

FINRA sales practice requirements may limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock. 

In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") has 

adopted rules that require that, in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable 
grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced 
securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the 
customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, 
FINRA has indicated its belief that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for 
at least some customers. These FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that at least 
some of their customers buy our common stock, which may limit the ability of our stockholders to buy and sell our 
common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market for our shares. 

Fluctuations in Operating Results  

We may be unable to realize our business strategy of improving operating performance, growing our business and 

generating savings and improvements. Over the past five years the Company has been experiencing a decline in course 
attendance and revenue generated from our operations. As a result, we have been implementing strategic initiatives, 
including the services provided through Workforce Optimization and the recently implemented Comprehensive Cost 
Reduction Program, GTR courses, and pricing promotions that are designed to improve our operating performance, 
stabilize and increase revenue and grow our business. The failure to achieve the goals of some or all of these initiatives 
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our business as a whole. There is 
no assurance that we will be able to pursue, successfully implement or realize the expected benefits of any initiative or that 
we will be able to sustain improvements made to date. 

Historically, our operating results have fluctuated, and we expect fluctuations to continue in the future. Fluctuations 

in our historical operating results have resulted from many factors, some of which are beyond our control. In the future, 
these or other factors could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and cause our stock price to decrease. 
For example:   

Timing of Course Development, and Sales and Marketing Expenditures. We try to adjust our expenditures for course 

development and sales and marketing to maintain our long-term profitability, including our assessment of the potential to 
influence future customer demand, market conditions, and other factors. This may mean accepting reduced margins in poor 
economic periods, as we must commit too much of our spending before our attendees enroll in our courses. If revenues fall 
short of our expectations, we may not be able to adjust our expenditures quickly enough to compensate for lower than 
anticipated revenues. This could compound the impact of any revenue shortfall and further affect our operating results and 
the price of our common stock.   

 Course Scheduling and Marketing Activities. The timing and content of our courses and our marketing activities can 

affect the number of participants who attend our courses. Some of the activities that can contribute to fluctuations in our 
operating results include:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the frequency of our course events;  

the number of weeks during which our courses can be conducted in a quarter;  

the timing, timely delivery, frequency and size of, and the response to, our marketing and advertising campaigns;  

the timing of introduction of new course titles;  

the average length of courses, based on the current mix of course titles, which affects the average revenue per 
attendee; and  

the mix between course events held at customer locations and course events held in our education centers and hotels 
due to differing gross profit margins.  

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Seasonal Factors. Our quarterly revenues and income fluctuate due to the seasonal spending patterns of our 

customers, which are affected by factors such as:  

• 

• 

• 

cyclic or one-time budgetary considerations;  

government spending and budget cycles;  

factors specific to their business or industry; and  

•  weather, holiday and vacation considerations.  

Use of Accounting Estimates. The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with Accounting Principles 
Generally Accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions in calculating our financial results. 
As one example, we currently offer our customers a multiple-course sales discount referred to as a Training Passport, which 
allows an individual Passport holder to attend up to a specified number of Learning Tree courses over a one- to two-year 
period for a fixed price. For a Training Passport, the amount of revenue we recognize for each attendance in one of our 
courses is based upon the selling price of the Training Passport, the list price of the course taken, the average list price of 
all courses taken, and our estimate of the average number of courses a Passport holder will actually attend. After expiration 
of a Training Passport, we record the difference, if any, between the revenue previously recognized and the Training 
Passport selling price. We base our estimate of the average number of course events that a Training Passport holder will 
attend on historical trends. However, these historical trends may not accurately predict the actual number of course events 
that a Training Passport holder will attend in the future. If average Training Passport attendance rates were to increase, for 
example, we would have to make negative adjustments to our revenue, which could be significant. For a summary of some 
of our key accounting estimates, please see our “Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies” in Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.   

We may not be able to fully utilize our deferred tax assets and changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional tax 

liabilities could adversely affect our financial position. In fiscal year 2012, we established a valuation allowance against 
our deferred tax assets in the United States due to current year and projected future pre-tax book losses. We continued 
to maintain this valuation allowance throughout fiscal years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Management judgment is required 
in determining our provision for income taxes and in determining whether any deferred tax assets will be realized in full or 
in part, primarily with respect to projected taxable income. The estimate of future taxable income can never be predicted 
with certainty. It is derived from budgets and strategic business plans but is dependent on numerous factors, some of which 
are beyond our control. Substantial variance of actual results from estimated future taxable profits, or changes in our 
estimate of future taxable profits, could lead to changes in deferred tax assets being realizable, and would require a 
corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance. Our income tax provision could be significantly impacted by 
estimates surrounding our uncertain tax positions, decisions on repatriation of foreign earnings, and changes to our 
valuation allowance in future periods. As a result, we may not be able to use the full amount of our deferred tax assets and 
may be exposed to elevated tax rates or additional tax liabilities, which could adversely affect our financial position.   

Changing Regulation of Corporate Governance and Public Disclosure. Changing laws, regulations and standards 
relating to corporate governance and public disclosure can result in uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher 
costs incurred with ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. As a result, our efforts to comply with 
evolving laws, regulations and standards have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and 
administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to 
compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations and standards differ from the 
activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to practice, our reputation may be harmed.  

Introductions and Adoption of New Technology. Our customers tend to increase their training at times when new 
technology is being introduced. During periods when fewer new technologies are being introduced, demand for our training 
courses may decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

Other Factors. Other factors that may affect our operating results include:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

competitive forces within our current and anticipated future markets;  

our ability to attract customers and meet their expectations;  

currency fluctuations and other risks inherent in international operations;  

general economic conditions;  

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• 

• 

differences in the timing of our spending on the marketing of our courses, as well as the timing of our spending on 
the development of our courses and other areas; and  

excess capacity and/or unused space in our education centers and/or administrative office facilities, and our ability to 
sublease or find other uses for it.  

All or any of these and similar factors could cause our operating results to differ substantially from the expectations 

of public market analysts and investors, which would likely have a material adverse impact on our stock price.  

Risks Associated with Technology Changes  

If we do not adequately anticipate or respond to changes in technology, it could have a material adverse effect on 

our operating results and stock price.  

Changes in technology can affect our business in at least two principal ways. First, we must anticipate and keep pace 

with the introduction of new hardware, software and other information technologies and develop courses that effectively 
train customers in the technologies they use now and will use in the future. Second, we must adapt to changes in the 
technologies by which we can deliver training to our customers’ employees. As a result of technology developments, we 
may have to make substantial and unanticipated expenditures to develop new course titles, buy new equipment, or invest in 
further course development software and processes to deliver our courses. Further, we may not adequately anticipate or 
respond successfully to technology changes for many reasons, including misjudging the impact of technology changes, as 
well as financial, technological or other constraints. A lack of adequate response on our part to changes in information 
technology platforms, customer preferences or software technology could have a material adverse impact on our operating 
results and stock price.   

Competition  

If our customers decide that they prefer training offered by new or existing competitors, it could have a material 

adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

The IT and management training markets are highly fragmented, with low barriers to entry. No single competitor 

holds a dominant market share. We face intense competition from both established entities and new entries in the market. 
Our primary competitors include:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

internal training departments within our current and potential customers;  

computer hardware and software vendors and their Authorized Training and Education Center partners;  

independent education and training companies;  

academic providers; and  

software systems integrators. 

Some of our competitors offer course titles and programs similar to ours at lower prices. In addition, some 
competitors have greater financial and other resources than us. Additionally, hardware and software vendors, as well as 
software systems integrators, may combine IT education and training with sales of their products or other services, which 
could allow them to offer training at lower prices than we do. Furthermore, future consolidation of IT vendors or training 
companies could have a material impact on our future operations.  

The risk of outsourcing of corporate IT administration and software development overseas to countries or firms not 

currently served by us could have a material adverse impact on our future operations.  

Although instructor-led classroom training continues to dominate the worldwide IT and management training 

markets, technology-based education and training formats, such as Internet-based distance learning, have gained some 
acceptance. Accordingly, our future results may also depend on the extent to which the market will continue to accept 
instructor-led IT and management training and on our ability to develop and market instructor-led courses that compete 
effectively against technology-based courses offered by our competitors.  

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Risks Associated with International Operations  

Approximately 37% of our annual revenue is generated by courses conducted outside the United States. Therefore, if 

we do not adequately anticipate and respond to the risks inherent in international operations, it could have a material 
adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

Foreign Currency Fluctuations. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars, while the 

operations of our foreign subsidiaries are conducted in their respective local currencies. Consequently, changes in exchange 
rates can unpredictably and adversely affect our consolidated operating results and could result in exchange losses. We do 
not hedge against the risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates. Even if we were to use hedging techniques in the 
future, we might not be able to eliminate or reduce the effects of currency fluctuations. Thus, exchange rate fluctuations 
could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and stock price.  

Our operations in the United Kingdom pose additional risks to our profitability and operating results. Following a 
referendum on June 23, 2016 in which voters in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) approved an exit from the European Union 
("EU"), it is expected that the U.K. government will initiate a process to leave the EU (often referred to as “Brexit”), 
including negotiating the terms of the U.K.’s future relationship with the EU. Such an exit from the EU is unprecedented, 
and it is unclear how the U.K.’s access to the EU Single Market, and the wider commercial, legal and regulatory 
environment, will impact our U.K. operations and customers. Our U.K. operations service customers in the U.K. as well as 
in other countries in the EU, and these operations could be disrupted by Brexit, particularly if there is a change in the 
U.K.’s relationship to the EU Single Market. While the full scope of implementation of the referendum decision is still 
unclear, companies exposed to or with operations in the U.K., such as ours, may face significant regulatory changes as a 
result of Brexit implementation, and complying with such new regulatory mandates may prove challenging and costly. In 
particular, significant portions of the U.K.’s regulatory regime related to intellectual property and data protection are 
derived from or harmonized with wider EU directives, and significant change is possible should the U.K. withdraw from 
the EU. Even prior to any change to the U.K.’s relationship with the EU, the announcement of Brexit may create economic 
uncertainty surrounding the terms of the U.K.’s exit and its consequences could adversely impact customer confidence 
resulting in customers reducing their spending budgets on our products and services, which would adversely affect our 
businesses and results of operations.  

Other Risks Associated with International Operations. Additionally, our results of operations may be adversely 

affected by other international risks, such as:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

difficulties in translating our courses into foreign languages;  

international political and economic conditions;  

changes in and/or compliance with government regulation in various countries;  

trade barriers;  

difficulty in staffing our foreign offices, and in training and retaining foreign instructors;  

adverse income tax and transfer pricing consequences; and  

potential costs associated with expansion into new territories or withdrawing from a territory.  

We expect that international revenues will continue to be a significant portion of our total revenues. A lack of 
anticipation and response to the risks associated with international operations could have a material adverse effect on our 
operating results and stock price.   

Dependence on Key Personnel  

If we are unable to recruit and retain qualified personnel, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating 

results and stock price.  

Our success depends in large part on the continued services of our executive officers, our senior managers and other 

key personnel. The loss of these people, especially without advance notice, could have a material adverse impact on our 
results of operations. It is also very important that we attract and retain highly skilled personnel, including course 
instructors, to accommodate growth, new course titles and to replace personnel who leave. Competition for qualified 
personnel can be intense, especially in information technology industries and/or in certain geographic areas, and there are a 
limited number of people with the requisite knowledge and experience. Under these conditions as well as our recent 

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operating performance, we may be unable to recruit, train and retain qualified instructors and employees. If we cannot 
attract and retain qualified personnel, it could have a material adverse impact on our operating results and stock price.  

Our business depends largely on our ability to utilize knowledgeable instructors at our various locations. 

Our business is based on successfully attracting and utilizing professional instructors with the knowledge and ability 

to effectively deliver our course materials to participants. Because we deliver course events at multiple locations 
throughout the world, we rely on some of our instructors to travel to such locations to teach our courses. If we are not able 
to timely send our instructors to locations due to restrictive immigration laws or otherwise, then we may incur additional 
costs in delivering the course event or face limitations in the local and number of course events we present internationally. 

Risks Associated with Intellectual Property  

Events outside of our control could pose a threat to our intellectual property rights, as well as to our products and 

services.  

Our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights are important assets for us. 
Various events outside of our control could pose a threat to our intellectual property rights, as well as to our products and 
services. For example, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which our courses 
are delivered. We cannot be certain that our means of protecting our proprietary rights will be adequate or that our 
competitors will not independently develop similar course titles or delivery methods unencumbered by our proprietary 
rights. If substantial unauthorized use of our products were to occur, our business and results of operations could be 
materially adversely impacted. We may also have to defend against claims that our current or future courses infringe on the 
proprietary rights of others, or have to pursue claims to protect our proprietary rights. Defending against and prosecuting 
these claims is costly and time consuming and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.   

If substantial unauthorized use of our courses occurs or if we must defend against infringement claims, it could have 

a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our intellectual property and confidential information. Our 
course development process and course titles are predominately proprietary and we rely primarily on a combination of 
statutory and common law copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, customer licensing agreements, employee and third-
party nondisclosure agreements and other methods to protect those proprietary rights. Our course materials generally do not 
include any mechanisms to prohibit or prevent unauthorized use. As a result, someone could copy or otherwise obtain and 
use our course materials without authorization, either for educational use or to develop competing courses. In addition, we 
operate in countries that do not provide protection of proprietary rights to the same extent as the United States. Finally, our 
intellectual property rights will not prevent competitors from independently developing similar course titles or delivery 
methods. If substantial unauthorized use of our products were to occur, our results of operations and price of our common 
stock could be materially adversely impacted.  

 We may also have to defend against claims that our current or future courses infringe on the proprietary rights of 

others. If such a claim succeeded, we might have to change or eliminate courses and could be required to pay damages or 
royalties. In addition, litigation over intellectual property rights, whether brought by us or by someone else, could be time-
consuming and expensive, even if we were ultimately to succeed. Accordingly, defending and prosecuting these claims 
could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

Although we seek to obtain patent protection for our innovations, it is possible we may not be able to protect some of 

these innovations. Changes in patent law, foreign or domestic, may have an impact on our ability to obtain patent 
protections. Furthermore, there is always the possibility, despite our efforts, that the scope of the protection gained will be 
insufficient or that an issued patent may be deemed invalid or unenforceable. We also seek to maintain certain intellectual 
property as trade secrets. The secrecy could be compromised by outside parties, or by our employees or former employees, 
which would cause us to lose the competitive advantage resulting from these trade secrets.   

Risks Associated with Laws and Regulations  

Changes to laws and regulations can affect our operations and may limit our ability to operate in certain states and 

foreign jurisdictions or adversely impact our operating results.  

Providers of educational programs to the public must comply with many laws and regulations of Federal, state and 

international governments. Generally, we are exempt from this type of regulation because we contract with the employer of 
the participants in our courses, and we do not participate in any Federal, state or foreign student aid or loan programs. 
However, changes to state and foreign laws and regulations targeting educational providers could affect our operations in 
the future and could limit our ability to obtain authorization to operate in certain states. If we were found in violation of a 

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state’s or foreign jurisdiction’s current or future licensing or regulatory requirements, then we could be subject to civil or 
criminal sanctions, including monetary penalties, and we could also be barred from providing educational services in that 
state or foreign jurisdiction. In addition, laws and regulatory decisions in many areas other than education could also 
adversely affect our operations. Complying with current or future legal requirements could have a material adverse effect 
on our operating results and stock price.  

We are subject to tax audits by state, Federal and foreign jurisdictions. Such audits are to be expected and may result 
in adjustments as a result of the accretion of tax jurisdiction interpretations and changes in operational practices. Any such 
audits may result in additional taxes being assessed or in the refund of taxes previously paid. Such changes could have a 
material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.   

Risks Associated with Cyber Security 

Security breaches and other disruptions could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would 

cause our business and reputation to suffer. 

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, our 

proprietary business information and that of our customers, suppliers and business partners, and personal identifiable 
information of our customers and employees, in our data centers and on our networks. The secure processing, maintenance 
and transmission of this information is critical to our operations and business strategy. Despite our security measures, our 
information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, 
malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such breach could compromise our networks and the information stored there could 
be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal 
claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, regulatory penalties, disrupt our 
operations and the services we provide to customers, damage our reputation, and cause a loss of confidence in our products 
and services, which could adversely affect our business/operating margins, revenues and competitive position. 

Dependence on Key Vendors 

Interruptions of services or support from our key vendors could result in an adverse impact to our operations and 

financial results.  

Our business is dependent on the successful and uninterrupted functioning of our information technology and 
telecommunications systems and third-party servicers. The failure of these systems, or the termination of a third-party 
software license or service agreement on which any of these systems is based, could interrupt our operations. Because our 
information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third-party systems, we could 
experience service denials if demand for such services exceeds capacity or such third-party systems fail or experience 
interruptions. If significant, sustained or repeated, a system failure or service denial could compromise our ability to 
operate effectively, damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, and/or subject us to possible financial 
liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.  

Control by Management  

Our Chairman and Founder beneficially owns a majority of our outstanding shares, and therefore could have 
significant influence over our policies and affairs and is in a position to determine the outcome of corporate actions.  

As of December 16, 2016, Dr. Collins, our Chairman of the Board of Directors, beneficially owned (including shares 
owned with his wife, Mary Collins, a director of the Company) approximately 56.7% of our outstanding shares of common 
stock. Consequently, Dr. Collins and Mary Collins have significant influence over, and possess the voting power to control 
our policies and affairs and may be in a position to determine the outcome of corporate actions and transactions requiring 
stockholder approval. These may include, for example, the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to our 
corporate documents and the approval of mergers and sales of our assets.   

Dr. Collins and Mary Collins have made various statements through amendments to the Schedule 13D filed by them 

with the SEC, including exploring potential alternatives for making an offer to purchase some or all of the shares of the 
Company's common stock not beneficially owned by them or otherwise undertaking a “going private” transaction of the 
Company and the exploration of other strategic options such as the sale of the Company or a business combination of the 
Company with a third party. The public announcement of the exploration of these potential transactions in the future, as 
well as the potential that such transaction may occur, may adversely impact the marketability of our common stock.  

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Risks Associated with Possible Acquisitions and Other Strategic Transactions  

If we cannot successfully implement any future acquisitions or other strategic transactions, it could have a material 

adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

On occasion, we evaluate business opportunities and other strategic transactions that appear to fit within our overall 

business strategy. We could decide to pursue one or more of these opportunities by acquisition or internal development. 
Acquisitions and other strategic transactions involve many risks, including:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the difficulty of integrating acquired technologies, operations and personnel with our existing operations;  

the difficulty of developing and marketing new products and services;  

the diversion of our management’s attention as a result of evaluating, negotiating and integrating acquisitions or new 
business ventures;  

our exposure to unforeseen liabilities of acquired companies; and  

the loss of key employees of an acquired operation.  

In addition, an acquisition or other strategic transactions could adversely impact cash flows and/or operating 

results, and dilute stockholder interests, for many reasons, including:  

• 

charges to our income to reflect the amortization of acquired intangible assets;  

•  write-offs for the impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets;  

• 

• 

interest costs and debt service requirements for any debt incurred in connection with an acquisition or new business 
venture; and  

any issuance of securities in connection with an acquisition or other strategic transactions that dilutes or lessens the 
rights of our current common stockholders.  

We have had limited experience in executing and implementing strategic transactions. Although we have 

implemented other strategic transactions, those ventures have not always been successful, and we may not succeed in the 
future. The risks associated with acquisitions and other strategic transactions could have a material adverse impact on our 
operating results and stock price.  

Risks Associated with Changing Economic Conditions  

General domestic and international economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our operating 
results and common stock price. As a result of the current economic uncertainty and macro-economic challenges currently 
affecting the economy of the United States and other parts of the world, some of our customers may choose to delay or 
postpone purchases of courses from us until the economy and their businesses strengthen.  

The United States government’s inability to agree on a federal budget may adversely impact our operations and 

financial results. We derive a significant amount of our revenues from the U.S. federal government. We believe the 
implementation by the U.S. federal government of the automatic spending cuts commonly referred to as “Sequestration” in 
2013 had a significant negative impact on our North American operations as our government customers faced uncertainty 
over whether the amount of funds allotted for training was actually available. We believe that this uncertainty then and in 
the years that followed led to lower enrollments and cancellation of existing enrollments from the government sector and to 
some degree from those of our commercial customers that rely heavily on government contracts. Currently the US federal 
government is going through a Presidential transition and is operating under a Continuing Resolution, both of which can 
lead to government agencies using our services not being allocated sufficient funds. Such agencies may then not be able to 
continue using our services, which could adversely impact our operations and financial results. 

United States government action or inaction with respect to the continuing budget deficit could adversely impact our 

operations and financial results. The inability of the United States Congress to enact a budget in a fiscal year, another 
sequestration, and/or another shutdown of the United States Government could adversely impact demand for our services 
by limiting the funding available to many of our customers, particularly those in the government sector. Various entities of 
the United States government and United States government contractors, on a combined basis, account for more than 
fifteen percent of our business. Implementation of major legislative reductions to the federal budget could reduce, delay or 

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cancel funding used by our government and government contractor customers to purchase our services, which would have a 
material adverse impact on our operations and financial results.   

Domestic and/or International Economic Downturns. A significant part of our revenues comes from Fortune 1000-

level companies, their international equivalents, and government organizations. During weak economic conditions, our 
sales grow more slowly or can even diminish. If the domestic and/or international economy were to continue to weaken, the 
demand for our services could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

Industry-Specific Slowdowns. Our customers generally operate in the finance, computer, communications, 
electronics, systems integration, aerospace, government and military, manufacturing, and energy sectors. When one or 
more of these industries experiences a slowdown, it can have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock 
price.  

Globalization Issues. Our operations are concentrated in Europe and North America, which have traditionally been 
the centers of IT development and implementation. In recent years, there has been increasing IT activity in other parts of 
the world, such as China and India. If this trend adversely affects IT jobs in regions in which we have our principal 
operations, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

Anti-Takeover Provisions  

Certain provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and Delaware law could adversely 

impact the interests of our stockholders.  

Certain provisions of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, our Bylaws, as amended, and Delaware 

law could, together or separately, discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us, even if doing so might 
benefit our stockholders. These provisions may also affect the price investors would receive for their shares of our common 
stock. Some examples of these provisions in our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and Bylaws, as 
amended, are:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

the division of our board of directors into three classes;  

the right of our board of directors to issue preferred stock with rights and privileges that are senior to the common 
stock, without prior stockholder approval;  

certain limitations of the rights of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders; and  

the prohibition of stockholder actions by written consent.  

Natural Disasters, External Strikes, Acts of War or Terrorism and Other External Events  

Since our founding in 1974, various natural disasters, external labor disruptions, acts of war or terrorism and other 
adverse external factors have from time to time impaired our ability to conduct our business, resulted in the loss of revenue 
or otherwise affected our operating results. When these or other external events occur in the future, they could have a 
material adverse effect on our operating results and stock price.  

Natural Disasters. Natural disasters can affect our business. For example, severe weather has at times prevented our 

course participants from traveling to our courses. In these situations, we try to transfer the course participants to later 
courses, but we may still lose some revenue.  

External Strikes. We have had to react to postal, transportation, and other strikes in the countries where we operate. 

Transportation strikes can make it difficult for our course participants or our instructors to reach course facilities. Although 
we try to employ strategies to mitigate the impact of external strikes, these alternative means are rarely completely effective 
and generally increase our costs, which could adversely affect our operating results.  

Acts of War or Terrorism. Threats or acts of war or terrorism can adversely affect our business. Terrorist attacks in 
the United States, Europe and in other countries and continuing hostilities in the Middle East and elsewhere have created 
significant instability and uncertainty in the world. These and future events may have a material adverse effect on world 
financial markets, including financial markets in the United States. In addition, threats or acts of war or terrorism can cause 
course participants to be reluctant regarding or prevented from traveling to our course facilities, thereby resulting in lower 
attendance rates. Additionally, our suppliers and service providers may be unable to provide required services or materials. 
These impacts could happen after we have committed to all the costs of our course, so that we would be unable to quickly 
adjust our cost structure to reflect the changes in revenues caused by these events, which could materially and adversely 
affect our operating results and stock price.   

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Other External Factors. Other factors outside our control can affect our operations, including those related to our 

suppliers and service providers. For example, disruptions of telephone networks can prevent customers from enrolling in 
our courses; disruptions in transportation services can prevent customers from reaching our facilities, and power outages 
can prevent us from delivering courses.    

Item  1B.        UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.  

None.  

Item 2.            PROPERTIES.  

Our corporate headquarters are located at 13650 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This facility, 

leased for eleven years, houses our corporate headquarters, as well as the sales, administrative and operations groups of our 
U.S. subsidiary and a twelve classroom Education Center. We lease all of our other offices and Education Center classroom 
facilities. These other leases expire at various dates over the next five years.  

We believe that our facilities are adequate and suitable for our needs. In general, at current attendee levels, we have 
excess capacity at most of our Education Centers. We have been seeking to deal with excess capacity by reducing the size 
of some of our facilities and by renting excess classrooms. In June 2014, we extended our lease in Ottawa, CN for five 
years, but reduced our space from 20,006 sq. ft. to 13,742 sq. ft. while still maintaining the same number of classrooms. In 
Sweden, we moved to new space in January 2015 that is 9,741 sq. ft. smaller than our previous space of 21,151 sq. ft. and 
accommodates seven classrooms and our offices. During fiscal year 2016, our leases for space in Los Angeles, CA and 
Chicago, IL expired and we did not replace the capacity of these facilities. During fiscal year 2017, the lease for our New 
York facility expires. We will not renew this lease and have negotiated a five year agreement with a third party to provide 
us with ten classrooms at their location in New York City. The lease for our Alexandria, VA facility also expires during 
fiscal year 2017 and we are evaluating our options on whether to renew, relocate, or not replace this facility. 

We present our classroom courses at Learning Tree Education Centers in New York City, the Washington, D.C. area 

(four locations), Ottawa, Toronto, London, Stockholm, and Tokyo, as well as in other rented facilities in those and other 
cities worldwide as well as at our clients’ facilities. Learning Tree courses presented in France after our sale of the French 
subsidiary are provided through a license agreement with the purchaser, Educinvest. 

The following table contains certain information regarding Learning Tree Education Centers and offices at 

September 30, 2016:    

Location  
(Metropolitan Area)  

Function(s) 

  Number of 
  Classrooms 

   Total Area in    
   Square Feet     

Education Center 
Education Centers (4 sites) 

New York, NY 
Washington, DC area 
Herndon & Chantilly, VA   Offices (2 locations) 
Paris, France 
London, England 
Leatherhead, England 
Ottawa, Canada 
Toronto, Canada 
Stockholm, Sweden 
Tokyo, Japan 

Education Center & Office  
Education Center 
Office 
Education Center & Office 
Education Center 
Education Center & Office 
Education Center & Office 

19   
38   
0   
N/A   
27   
0   
9   
10   
7   
1   
111   

41,724 (a)
66,134   
36,831   

N/A (b)

42,707   
19,464   
13,742   
17,207   
11,410   
2,683   
251,902   

(a)  The lease for the New York Education Center ends December 31, 2016 and is not being renewed. This facility will be 

replaced by ten classrooms at a third party location. 

   (b)  The Education Center and Offices in France are now operated by our Licensee. 

Item  3.            LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. 

We are not involved in any pending or threatened legal proceedings, other than routine legal proceedings and claims 
incidental to our business, that we believe could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial 
condition or results of operations.  

Item 4.             MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.  

Not Applicable. 

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PART II  

Item  5.            MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.  

Price Range of Common Stock  

Our common stock trades on the OTCQX under the symbol “LTRE.” Prior to July 23, 2015, our common stock 
traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low 
closing sales prices for our common stock:  

Fiscal Year 2015 
First Quarter  
Second Quarter  
Third Quarter  
Fourth Quarter  

Fiscal Year 2016 
First Quarter  
Second Quarter  
Third Quarter  
Fourth Quarter  

  $

  $

2.52     $
2.01      
1.69      
1.41      

1.43     $
0.90      
1.35      
1.87      

1.57   
1.46   
1.11   
0.92   

0.73   
0.60   
0.70   
1.12   

As of December 5, 2016, the number of holders of our Common Stock was 564, consisting of 43 record holders and 

521 stockholders whose stock is held by a bank, broker or other nominee.  

Dividends 

We did not pay any dividends in fiscal year 2016 or fiscal year 2015. We have no plans to pay any cash dividends in 
the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and 
to compliance with applicable laws. Any determination as to the payment of dividends in the future will depend upon, 
among other things, general business conditions, the effect such payment would have on our financial condition and other 
factors that our Board of Directors may in the future consider to be relevant.  

Sales of Unregistered Securities  

We did not make any unregistered sales of our securities during fiscal year 2016 or fiscal year 2015.  

Purchases of Equity Securities  

We did not repurchase any shares during fiscal years 2016 and 2015. 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans   

The following table provides information as of September 30, 2016 regarding securities issued and to be issued under 

our equity compensation plans that were in effect during fiscal year 2016: 

Number of 
Securities  
Remaining 
Available  
for Future 
Issuance  
Under Equity 
Compensation 
Plan  
(Excluding 
Securities  
Reflected in the 
first  
Column)

Number of 
Securities  
to be Issued 
Upon  
Exercise of  
Outstanding 
Options,  
Warrants and 
Rights 

Weighted-
Average  
Exercise Price 
of 
Outstanding 
Options,  
Warrants and 
Rights 

550,000     $
300,000     $

2.24      
1.23      

281,850  
- 

Plan Category 
Equity compensation plan approved by security holders    
Board approved equity grants 

For a description of the other material features of our equity compensation plan, see Note 6 of “Notes to Consolidated 

Total   

850,000     $

3.47      

281,850  

Financial Statements.”  

Item 6.             SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.  

           Not Required for a Smaller Reporting Company 

Item 7.             MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.  

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes many 

forward-looking statements. For cautions about relying on such forward-looking statements, please refer to the section 
entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Report immediately prior to 
“Part I-Item 1”.  

OVERVIEW  

Nature of the Business. Learning Tree International, Inc. is a leading worldwide provider to business and 

government organizations for the workforce development and training of their information technology (“IT”) professionals 
and managers. Since our founding in 1974, we have provided high-quality, predominantly vendor-independent, training to 
more than 2.4 million IT professionals and managers. In fiscal year 2016, while presenting courses in 32 countries, we 
trained 55,110 course participants from approximately 5,500 organizations, including large national and multinational 
companies, government organizations, and small and medium-size companies.  

We offer a broad, predominately proprietary, library of intensive instructor-led courses from one to five days in 

length, which at September 30, 2016 comprised 349 different course titles representing 5,565 hours of training, including 
140 multi-day IT course titles, 70 multi-day management course titles, and 139 one-day course titles. Learning Tree courses 
provide education and training across a wide range of technical and management disciplines, including operating systems, 
databases, computer networks, computer and network security, web development, programming languages, software 
engineering, open source applications, project management, business skills, leadership and professional development.  

In addition to training, we offer a suite of Workforce Optimization Solutions to support an IT organization’s life-
cycle of workforce development needs. These solutions help ensure that an organization’s investment in training is relevant 
and leveraged to improving overall organization performance. The range of solutions includes from helping organizations 
define their job roles, to assessing the current skills of the staff, providing coaching and mentoring of staff, and even 
serving as an outsourcer of an organization’s learning and training requirements. 

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We market and present our courses and solutions through locally staffed operations in the United States, the United 

Kingdom, Canada, Sweden and Japan. Subsequent to the sale of our subsidiary in France, we now operate in France 
through a license agreement with Educinvest. In fiscal year 2016, we generated approximately 37% of our revenues outside 
of the United States. We coordinate, plan and deliver our courses at our own education centers, external hotel and 
conference facilities and customer sites worldwide. Our proprietary live online learning platform, Learning Tree 
AnyWare™, allows individuals located anywhere in the world to use their Internet browser to participate online in 
instructor-led classes being conducted live in Learning Tree Education Centers or at customer locations.   

We use a well-defined systematic approach to develop and update the Learning Tree course library so as to provide 
training that is immediately applicable by course participants to their work in a broad range of applications and industries. 
After assessing market need, courses may be translated into Swedish and Japanese, and into French by our Licensee in 
France. We design our own proprietary courses to provide participants an unbiased perspective regarding software and 
hardware products and the ability to compare and integrate multiple platforms and technologies from various vendors. All 
Learning Tree courses are highly interactive and incorporate extensive hands-on exercises or case study workshops. Our IT 
courses are designed around highly practical hands-on exercises that provide participants with extensive in-class experience 
mastering the tools and techniques they can apply immediately upon returning to their jobs. Similarly, many of our 
management courses utilize our innovative proprietary learning methodology that provides an environment in which course 
participants learn entirely by doing through extensive multi-media simulations. Throughout these courses, participants gain 
extensive experience applying new management skills in life-like, challenging situations, within the confines of the 
classroom and under the guidance of an expert instructor. As a result, course participants can achieve greater mastery of 
effective management techniques as well as the confidence needed to apply them, and thus return to their jobs both ready 
and willing to immediately apply their expanded skills in their workplaces. Our proprietary course development process 
also allows us to customize our courses to specific customer requirements for delivery at their sites. 

We had 602 instructors as of September 30, 2016, who are practicing professionals with expert subject knowledge, 

and who average over 20 years of “hands-on, real world” experience. Learning Tree instructors teach an average of 
approximately 7 course events per year on an “as-needed” basis. When they are not teaching, Learning Tree instructors use 
and hone their IT and management skills either as full-time employees for other companies or as independent consultants.   

We have structured our business so that over half of our course delivery costs are variable and depend primarily upon 

the number of course events conducted. We schedule our course events throughout the year based on our assessment of 
demand. Since Learning Tree instructors typically work full-time or as consultants for other business and industry 
employers, or in the case of management instructors as industry consultants and facilitators, they teach our course events as 
needed and thus, our instructor-related costs are largely variable. However, expenses associated with our own Education 
Centers and course equipment are largely fixed.  

We adjust our expenditures for sales and marketing depending on our strategic objectives, which generally include an 

assessment of our expectations for influencing future customer demand, market conditions and other factors. However, if 
our expectations regarding the results of our marketing efforts prove to be wrong, any significant revenue shortfall would 
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.  

As we have for the past 42 years, we continue to emphasize excellence in training and developing IT professionals 
and managers from government and commercial organizations around the world. We believe that quality is a significant 
differentiator in the eyes of our customers, and that our proven long-term record of exceptional performance is a reason for 
our clients’ tremendous loyalty. Of our 100 largest clients in fiscal year 2011, 96 were still our clients five years later in 
fiscal year 2016. We continue our emphasis on excellence by focusing on our core strengths: our expert instructors, 
proprietary content library, state-of-the-art classrooms, application of technology to education, and worldwide course 
delivery systems.  

Going Concern. Our registered independent public accounting firm has issued a report on our audited financial 
statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 that included an explanatory paragraph expressing substantial 
doubt in the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. This means unless we are able to reduce our dependence on 
our remaining cash and cash equivalents to fund operations and improve our overall liquidity that there is substantial doubt 
about the Company’s ability to continue as an ongoing business. As discussed in more detail in Item 1. Business and under 
Liquidity of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, the Company is executing upon new business strategies, its 
Comprehensive Cost Reduction Program and recently entered into a lending arrangement with Action Capital in order to 
improve our overall profitability, cash flows from operations and liquidity. While the Company believes that these efforts 
will result in improving our liquidity and our continued operation, there is no assurance that we will be successful in 
executing upon some or all of these strategies at levels necessary to address the Company’s cash flow and liquidity needs 
and continue as a going concern. As a result, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as an on-
going business.  

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The Company is continuing to evaluate obtaining additional sources of capital and financing in order to improve its 

liquidity, and it has engaged a financial advisor to assist in these efforts. There is no assurance that additional capital and/or 
financing will be available to the Company, and even if available, whether it will be on terms acceptable to us or in 
amounts required. 

New Financing Agreement. On January 12, 2017, the Company entered into a Financing Agreement with Action 

Capital that provides the Company with access to borrow through advances of funds up to a maximum aggregate principal 
amount of $3.0 million (the “Maximum Amount”). Pursuant to the Financing Agreement, the amount advanced to the 
Company will be based upon an agreed advance rate of up to 85% of the net amount of certain customer accounts 
receivable of the Company that are approved by Action Capital and assigned to it as collateral. The amounts advanced 
under the Financing Agreement will also be secured by the Company’s other accounts receivables from its U.S. operations. 
  Under the Financing Agreement, the Company is required to pay Action Capital (i) interest on the outstanding advances at 
a rate equal to the prime rate of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in effect on the last business day of the prior month plus 1.75%, 
(ii) a monthly fee equal to 0.70% of the outstanding advances as of the last day of the month, and (iii) a fee of 0.25% of the 
Maximum Amount, which is payable to Action Capital on the date the Financing Agreement is signed and every 90 days 
thereafter until the Financing Agreement is terminated and all amounts advanced and other obligations to Action Capital 
have been fully paid and satisfied. The Financing Agreement does not have any set term and either party may, for any 
reason, terminate the Financing Agreement by providing written notice. As a result, if Action Capital were to terminate the 
Financing Agreement and we did not have an alternative line of credit or other source of capital available, then we would 
have to rely upon our cash and cash equivalents for our working capital needs, which may not be sufficient. See Note 14 of 
the Consolidated Audited Financial Statements and Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Form 10-K for more information about 
this Financing Agreement.     

 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  

The following table summarizes our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated expressed as 

percentages of revenues:  

Revenues  
Cost of revenues  
Gross profit  

Operating expenses:  

Course development  
Sales and marketing  
General and administrative  
Restructuring charge  

Loss from operations  

Other income (expense):  

Foreign exchange losses  

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30, 
2016 

October 2, 
2015

100.0%     
61.5%     
38.5%     

6.3%     
22.0%     
23.2%     
2.3%     
53.8%     

100.0%
58.8%
41.2%

8.6%
22.8%
20.0%
0.0%
51.4%

(15.3)%     

(10.2)%

0.3%     
0.3%     

0.4%
0.4%

Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes  

(15.0)%     

(9.8)%

Provision for income taxes  
Loss from continuing operations  

Discontinued operations (Note 12)  
Loss from discontinued operations (including 2015 loss on disposal of $2,501), 
net of tax  
Net loss  

0.5%     
(15.5)%     

0.5%
(10.3)%

0.0%     
(15.5)%     

(3.0)%
(13.3)%

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 FISCAL YEAR 2016 COMPARED WITH FISCAL YEAR 2015  

We follow a 52- or 53-week fiscal year. Our year-end and quarter-end dates are on the Friday nearest the end of the 

calendar quarter. Accordingly, our fiscal year 2016 ended on September 30, 2016 and our fiscal year 2015 ended on 
October 2, 2015. Our fiscal years 2016 and 2015 both consisted of 52 weeks. During our fiscal year 2015, we sold our 
operating unit in France to an independent third party that has licensed content from us pursuant to the terms of a license 
agreement. We reclassified the results of operations for France, including operating statistics, as discontinued operations in 
these financial statements. (See Note 12 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further information on the 
discontinued operations.)  

In fiscal year 2016, our worldwide revenues from continuing operations decreased to $81.6 million from $94.9 

million in fiscal year 2015. Loss from continuing operations was $(12.7) million in fiscal year 2016 compared to $(9.8) 
million in fiscal year 2015. The loss from continuing operations for fiscal year 2016 includes $2.1 million in restructuring 
charges and accelerated depreciation of leasehold improvements related to our Reston, Virginia facility. Net loss for fiscal 
year 2016 was $(12.7) million compared to $(12.6) million in fiscal year 2015.  

Revenues. Our fiscal year 2016 revenues from continuing operations decreased by 14.0% compared to fiscal year 2015. 
The decrease in revenues primarily resulted from a 10.4% decrease in average revenue per participant, and a 4.1% decrease 
in the number of course participants. The decrease in the average revenue per participant was caused primarily by lower 
average revenue per participant from one-day courses which we began introducing in the second quarter of fiscal year 
2015, lower average revenue from implementation of periodic pricing promotions to attract new course attendees, and 
changes in foreign exchange rates, which negatively impacted revenues by approximately 2.2%. The decrease in the 
number of course participants was partially due to the expiration of a major contract in both the United States and in the 
United Kingdom and the continued overall decline in enrollments in the United Kingdom.  

Revenues in North America of $59.3 million in fiscal 2016 decreased 10.8% compared to $66.5 million in fiscal year 

2015. For North America operations, average revenue per participant decreased 9.0% while the number of participants 
decreased 2.0% year over year. The decrease in average revenue per participant year over year was primarily the result of 
introducing one-day courses and lower average revenue from the implementation of periodic pricing promotions to attract 
new course attendees. Changes in exchange rates negatively impacted year over year Canadian revenues by $0.6 million or 
1.1% of total North American revenues. Revenues from the U.S. government and government contractors that purchased 
courses under our government contract schedules totaled $19.0 million for fiscal year 2016 compared to $24.3 million for 
fiscal year 2015.  

Revenues from our continuing European operations decreased 24.4% to $19.9 million in fiscal year 2016 from $26.4 

million in fiscal year 2015, which was primarily due to an 11.3% year over year decrease in the number of participants. 
Changes in exchange rates negatively impacted year over year European revenues by $1.6 million or 8.0% of total 
European revenues.  

During fiscal year 2016, we provided 175,371 attendee-days of training worldwide, a decrease of 11.6% from 
198,334 attendee-days in fiscal year 2015. In our IT courses during fiscal year 2016, we provided 110,722 attendee-days of 
IT training worldwide, an 8.0% decrease from 120,386 attendee-days in fiscal year 2015. In our management courses in 
fiscal year 2016, we provided 64,649 attendee-days of training worldwide, a 17.1% decrease from 77,948 attendee-days in 
fiscal year 2015.  

Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues from continuing operations primarily includes the variable costs of course 
instructors and their travel expenses, course materials, refreshments and freight, and the fixed costs of course equipment 
and classroom facilities. During fiscal year 2016, we presented 4,963 events, 8.1% more than the 4,589 events during fiscal 
year 2015. The average number of participants per event declined to 11.1 in fiscal year 2016 from 11.9 in fiscal year 2015. 
Our cost of revenues for fiscal year 2016 decreased to $50.0 million from $55.8 million in fiscal year 2015. Our cost of 
revenues as a percentage of our revenues increased to 61.5% for fiscal year 2016 from 58.8% in fiscal year 2015.  

The increase in cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues in fiscal year 2016 primarily reflects the 10.4% decrease 

in average revenue per participant, which was partially offset by a 6.6% decrease in average cost per participant. As a 
result, gross profit declined 19.6% to $31.4 million in fiscal year 2016 from $39.1 million in fiscal year 2015.  

Changes in exchange rates do not materially affect our gross profit percentages since exchange rates have essentially 

the same impact on both revenues and cost of revenues in any time period.  

Course Development Expenses. We maintain a disciplined process to develop new courses and update our existing 
courses. All costs incurred in that process, principally for internal product development staff and for subject matter experts, 
are expensed when incurred and are included in course development expenses.  

28

  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
During fiscal year 2016, course development expenses were 6.3% of revenues compared to 8.6% during fiscal year 
2015. In fiscal year 2016, we decreased our overall spending on course development to $5.1 million compared with $8.1 
million in fiscal year 2015. Course development expenses were higher in fiscal year 2015 due to costs incurred for the 
development of 153 new one day course titles as compared to 32 new one day course titles in fiscal year 2016. In addition, 
in fiscal year 2016, we introduced 27 new multi-day IT course titles and five new multi-day management course titles 
compared to 13 multi-day IT and seven multi-day management course titles in fiscal year 2015. 

At the end of fiscal year 2016, the Learning Tree library of instructor-led courses numbered 349 titles, comprising 
5,565 hours of training, compared with 345 titles at the end of fiscal year 2015. The increase in the number of titles in fiscal 
year 2016 reflected the net effect of reducing the number of one-day course titles to 139 and adding 32 new multi-day titles 
and while retiring only 14 titles. In general, titles are retired when the profits they generate no longer justify the ongoing 
cost of marketing them and maintaining their content. Thus, we may or may not develop more titles than we retire in any 
period.  

At September 30, 2016, we had 140 multi-day IT titles in our course library, compared with 122 at the end of fiscal 

year 2015. Our library of multi-day management titles numbered 70 as of September 30, 2016, compared with 70 
management titles at the end of fiscal year 2015. Our library of one-day courses numbered 139 at September 30, 2016, 
compared to 153 one-day courses at the end of fiscal year 2015.  

Sales and Marketing Expenses. Sales and marketing expenses primarily include the cost of designing, producing 

and distributing direct mail and media advertisements, marketing e-mails and our website; compensation and travel-related 
costs for sales and marketing personnel; and the cost of information systems to support these activities. For fiscal year 2017 
we have eliminated our direct mail course catalog advertising program as part of our comprehensive cost reduction 
program. 

Our sales and marketing expenses were 22.0% of revenues in fiscal year 2016 compared to 22.8% of revenues in 

fiscal year 2015. Sales and marketing expenses decreased to $17.9 million in fiscal year 2016 from $21.6 million in fiscal 
year 2015. The overall decrease of $3.7 million was primarily due to decreases in direct mail marketing costs when 
compared to the prior year. 

General and Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses were 23.2% of revenues in fiscal 

year 2016 compared to 20.0% of revenues in fiscal year 2015, which increase was due to a decline in revenue while general 
and administrative expense in 2016 remained substantially the same as 2015. General and administrative expenses were 
$18.9 million in fiscal year 2016 compared to $19.0 million in fiscal year 2015.  

Restructuring Charge. In fiscal year 2016, we recognized a $1.9 million restructuring charge related to our Reston, 

Virginia facility. We determined this facility was surplus classroom space as a result of the classroom space that became 
available in fiscal year 2016 at our new facility in Herndon, Virginia. 

Other Income (Expense), Net. Other income (expense), net in fiscal year 2016 was $0.2 million compared to $0.4 

million in fiscal year 2015. The difference was primarily due to larger foreign exchange gains in fiscal year 2015. 

Income Taxes. In fiscal year 2016, our income tax provision was $0.4 million compared to $0.5 million in fiscal year 

2015. Our effective rate for fiscal year 2016 was (3.4) % compared to (5.0)% in fiscal year 2015. The effective rate for 
fiscal year 2016 is primarily related to minimum U.S. state taxes, state audit assessments for prior years, foreign 
withholding taxes, true ups of the actual 2015 return to provision estimates for U.S. taxes, and the income tax expense of 
our foreign subsidiaries. The effective rate for fiscal year 2015 was primarily attributable to true ups of the actual 2014 
return to provision estimates for U.S. taxes, and the income tax expense of our foreign subsidiaries. In fiscal year 2012, we 
established a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in the United States due to current year and projected future 
pre-tax book losses. This valuation allowance has been maintained to date. Management judgment is required in 
determining our provision for income taxes and in determining whether any deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in 
part. When it is more likely than not that all or some portion of specific deferred tax assets such as net operating losses or 
foreign tax credit carry-forwards will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be established for the amount of the 
deferred tax assets that cannot be realized. Realization is based on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income.  

GEOGRAPHIC DATA  

Learning Tree Education Centers are located in five countries. The North America operations recorded revenues of 
$59.3 million in fiscal year 2016 compared to revenues of $66.5 million in fiscal year 2015. Revenues from our European 
continuing operations were $19.9 million in fiscal year 2016 compared to $26.4 million in fiscal year 2015. Our Asian 
operations recorded revenues of $2.3 million in fiscal year 2016 compared to $2.0 million in fiscal year 2015. See Note 9 of 
“Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information on segment reporting.  

29

  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
On March 3, 2015, we entered into an Agreement (“Agreement”) to sell our subsidiary in France, Learning Tree 

International S.A., to Educinvest for consideration of € 1 (One Euro). The transaction was consummated on the same date 
that the Agreement was signed by the parties.  

Although our consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. dollars, all of our subsidiaries other than in the 
United States have functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses arising from the translation of the 
balance sheets of our subsidiaries from the functional currencies to U.S. dollars are reported as adjustments to stockholders’ 
equity. Fluctuations in exchange rates may also have an effect on our results of operations. Since both revenues and 
expenses are generally denominated in the subsidiary’s local currency, changes in exchange rates that have an adverse 
effect on our foreign revenues are partially offset by a favorable effect on our foreign expenses, and vice versa. The impact 
of future exchange rates on our results of operations cannot be accurately predicted. To date, we have not sought to hedge 
the risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates and therefore we continue to be subject to such risks. In the future, 
we may undertake such hedging transactions. There can be no assurance that any hedging techniques we might implement 
would be successful in eliminating or reducing the effects of currency fluctuations.  

INFLATION  

In fiscal year 2016, inflation did not have a significant impact on our net sales, revenues and income from continuing 

operations.    

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS  

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 
(“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The standard is a 
comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of 
goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those 
goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 
606): Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”), which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to 
fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for 
fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Accordingly, the standard is 
effective for us on September 30, 2018 using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. We are 
currently evaluating which transition approach to use and the impact that the standard will have on our consolidated 
financial statements. 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern 
(Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-
15”). The standard requires management to evaluate, at each interim and annual reporting period, whether there are 
conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year 
after the date the financial statements are issued, and provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for reporting 
periods ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect to early adopt ASU 2014-15. We 
are currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of 
Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”). The standard requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent 
on the balance sheet rather than being separated into current and noncurrent. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years, and 
interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted and the standard may 
be applied either retrospectively or on a prospective basis to all deferred tax assets and liabilities. We do not expect to early 
adopt ASU 2015-17. Accordingly, the standard is effective for us on September 30, 2017 and will result in our deferred tax 
assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current on our consolidated balance sheet.  

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The standard 
requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months. 
ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, and 
early adoption is permitted. Accordingly, the standard is effective for us on September 28, 2019 using a modified 
retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on our consolidated financial 
statements. 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): 
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). The standard is intended to simplify 
several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on 
the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those 
years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. Accordingly, the standard is effective for us on 

30

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
September 30, 2017. We do not expect adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 to have a material impact on our consolidated 
financial statements. 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain 
Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). The standard clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments 
are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim 
periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Accordingly, the new 
standard is effective for us on September 30, 2018 using a retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact 
that the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.  

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash a 
consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2016-18”). The standard requires restricted cash and cash 
equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents on the statement cash flows. The new standard is expected to be 
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption 
permitted. Accordingly, the new standard would be effective for us on September 30, 2018 using a retrospective approach, 
and will result in our restricted cash to be included with cash and cash equivalents to reflect total cash on our statement of 
cash flows.  

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including the Emerging Issues Task Force), the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the SEC did not, or management believes will not, have a material 
impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements.  

QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  

Historically, our quarterly operating results have fluctuated, and that is expected to continue in the future. Typically, 

our first and third fiscal quarters have higher revenues and income from operations than do our second and fourth fiscal 
quarters. The fluctuations may be caused by many factors such as: (i) the frequency of course events; (ii) the number of 
weeks during which courses can be conducted in a quarter; (iii) the timing, timely delivery, frequency and size of and 
response to our direct mail marketing and advertising campaigns; (iv) the timing of our introduction of new course titles; 
(v) the mix between course events held at customer sites and course events held in our education centers and hotels due to 
differing gross profit margins; (vi) competitive forces within markets we serve; (vii) our ability to attract customers and 
meet their expectations; (viii) currency fluctuations and other risks inherent in international operations; (ix) natural 
disasters, external strikes, acts of war or terrorism and other external factors; and (x) general economic conditions and 
industry-specific slowdowns.  

Fluctuations in quarter-to-quarter results also occur as a result of differences in the timing of our spending on the 
marketing and development of our courses and for seasonal factors. Our quarterly revenues and income fluctuate due to the 
seasonal spending patterns of our customers, which are affected by factors including: (i) cyclic or one-time budgetary 
considerations; (ii) factors specific to their business or industry; (iii) weather, holiday and vacation considerations; and 
(iv) other considerations.  

We use the 52/53-week fiscal year method to better align our external financial reporting with the manner in which 

we operate our business. Under this method, each fiscal quarter ends on the Friday closest to the end of the calendar 
quarter. Since all courses have a duration of five days or less, and all courses begin and end within the same calendar week, 
under the 52/53 week fiscal year method all revenues and related direct costs for each course event are recognized in the 
week and the fiscal quarter in which the event takes place. In most years, including fiscal years 2016 and 2015, each fiscal 
quarter has 13 weeks.  

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES  

Our primary sources of liquidity at September 30, 2016 included cash and cash equivalents on hand of $8.5 million. 

During fiscal year 2016, the total of our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $9.4 million primarily as a result of our net 
loss for fiscal year 2016 resulting in cash used in continuing operations of $9.0 million and $0.4 million used for capital 
expenditures.   

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 Cash Flows. Our cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations decreased by $9.4 million to $8.5 million at 

September 30, 2016 from $17.9 million at October 2, 2015.  

(in thousands) 
Cash used in operating activities of continuing operations 
Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations 
Cash used in financing activities of continuing operationns 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 

of continuing operations 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of continuing 
operations 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30, 
2016

October 2,  
2015 

Net Change

  $

(9.0)   $
(0.4)    
-     

(0)    

(9.5)   $ 
(2.2)     
-      

(0.2)     

  $

(9.4)   $

(11.9)   $ 

0.5 
1.8 
- 

0.2 

2.5 

Cash used in operating activities totaled $9.0 million in fiscal year 2016 as compared to cash used in operating 

activities of $9.5 million in fiscal year 2015. Cash used in investing activities totaled $0.4 million during fiscal year 2016 
compared to $2.2 million in fiscal year 2015. The change was primarily due to lower capital expenditures for purchases of 
equipment and other capital assets during fiscal year 2016. The effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 
during fiscal year 2016 was less than ($0.1) million, compared to ($0.2) million in fiscal year 2015.   

Liquidity. As of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, we reported an accumulated deficit of $15.3 
million and we have also reported negative cash flow from continuing operations in 2016 and for the previous four years as 
our revenues have declined each year over year during this period. At September 30, 2016, our capital resources consisted 
of cash and cash equivalents of $8.5 million. While we have, and will continue to take steps to stabilize revenues and 
decrease our operating costs on a year over year basis for fiscal year 2017, unless we are able to improve our liquidity in 
the future, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  
Our registered independent public accounting firm’s report on our audited financial statements for the year ended 
September 30, 2016 contains an explanatory paragraph related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  

To address the decline in revenue, we have been executing upon new strategies to increase the number of attendees in 

our public courses and expand our overall customer base. Many of these strategies relate to pricing promotions to attract 
new customers or to re-engage old customers that have not used our services in many years. Another strategy is to grow our 
position as a leading worldwide provider of training and workforce development to IT professionals and managers through 
the continued growth of our Workforce Optimization Solutions. Workforce Optimization Solutions augments and enhances 
our core training capabilities enabling Learning Tree to partner with our customers in helping them develop a high-
performing organization through workforce development and process improvement. 

We have accelerated our Comprehensive Cost Reduction Program with the goal of significantly reducing our fiscal 
year 2017 overall expenses in the range of $10.0 million to $12.0 million when compared to the Company’s expenses for 
fiscal year 2016. These targeted cost reductions are in addition to approximately $6.8 million in operating cost reductions 
(excluding the restructuring charge) achieved during fiscal year 2016 when compared to the Company’s expenses for fiscal 
year 2015. These reductions have been initiated to right-size the Company’s operations, modernize its business operations 
to meet customer demand and preserve capital. 

To further address our liquidity needs in the near term, on January 12, 2017, we entered into a Financing Agreement 

with Action Capital, which provides the Company with access to borrow through advances of funds up to a maximum 
aggregate principal amount of $3.0 million. Pursuant to the Financing Agreement, the amount advanced to the Company 
will be based upon an agreed advance rate of up to 85% of the net amount of certain customer accounts receivable of the 
Company that are approved by Action Capital and assigned to it as collateral. The amounts advanced under the Financing 
Agreement will also be secured by the Company’s accounts receivables from its U.S. operations. The Financing Agreement 
does not have any set term and either party may, for any reason, terminate the Financing Agreement by providing written 
notice. As a result, if Action Capital were to terminate the Financing Agreement and we did not have an alternative line of 
credit or other source of capital available, then we would have to rely upon our cash and cash equivalents for our working 
capital needs, which may not be sufficient. See Note 14 of the Consolidated Audited Financial Statements and Item 1A. 
Risk Factors of this Form 10-K for more information about this Financing Agreement.    

We are also continuing to evaluate additional sources of capital and financing. We have retained the services of a 
financial advisor to assist us in assessing strategic options available to the Company to improve liquidity. However, there is 
no assurance that additional capital and/or financing will be available to the Company, and even if available, whether it will 
be on terms acceptable to us or in amounts required.  

The stabilization of revenues and reduction in costs are integral to our goal of achieving a break even operating 
income line and a positive cash flow from operations for fiscal year 2017. We cannot provide assurances that our plans will 
32

  
  
 
      
 
 
 
   
    
 
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
not change, that changed circumstances will not result in the depletion of our capital resources more rapidly than we 
currently anticipate, or that we will be successful in securing additional liquidity.  

Capital Requirements. During fiscal year 2016, we made capital expenditures of $0.4 million for the purchase of 

equipment worldwide, mostly computers and other equipment for use in our courses. Additionally, $1.8 million leasehold 
improvements and $0.3 million computer and office equipment were funded by tenant improvement reimbursements 
related to our Herndon, Virginia facility. We plan to continue to invest in our infrastructure to accommodate any increased 
customer demand, to continue improving the quality and effectiveness of our course delivery and to incorporate significant 
changes in technology. We have a number of operating leases for our administrative offices and education center classroom 
facilities located worldwide. These leases expire at various dates over the next ten years. In addition to requiring 
monthly/quarterly payments for rent, some of the leases contain asset retirement provisions whereby we are required to 
return the leased facility back to a specified condition at the expiration of the lease. We record the expense for these asset 
retirement obligations ratably over the life of the lease. We have no asset retirement payments coming due in fiscal year 
2017. In connection with our comprehensive cost reduction program, as leases expire, cost reductions related to the 
elimination or renegotiation of leases will be evaluated.  

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS  

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future 

effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, 
capital expenditures or capital resources.    

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES  

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our 

consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in 
the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and 
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could 
differ from those estimates. The following list of critical accounting estimates and policies is not intended to be a 
comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies. Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 
of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” The following represents a summary of our critical accounting estimates 
and policies, defined as those policies that we believe are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and 
results of operations, and/or require management’s significant judgments and estimates.  

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies 

Revenue Recognition. We offer our customers a multiple-course sales discount referred to as a Learning Tree 
Training Passport. A Learning Tree Training Passport allows an individual Passport holder to attend up to a specified 
number of courses over a one- to two-year period for a fixed price. For a Training Passport, the amount of revenue 
recognized for each course attendance is based upon the selling price of the Training Passport, the list price of the course 
taken, the weighted average list price of all courses taken and the estimated average number of courses all Passport holders 
will actually attend. Upon expiration of each individual Training Passport, we record the difference, if any, between the 
revenues previously recognized and that specific Training Passport’s total invoiced price. The estimated attendance rate is 
based upon the historical experience of the average number of course events that Training Passport holders have been 
attending. The actual Training Passport attendance rate is reviewed at least semi-annually, and if the Training Passport 
attendance rates change, the revenue recognition rate for active Training Passports and for Training Passports sold 
thereafter is adjusted prospectively.  

We believe it is appropriate to recognize revenues on this basis in order to most closely match revenue and related 
costs, as the substantial majority of our Passport holders do not attend the maximum number of course events permitted 
under their Training Passports. We believe that the use of recent historical data is reasonable and appropriate because of the 
relative stability of the average actual number of course events attended by Passport holders.  

The average actual attendance rate for all expired Training Passports has closely approximated the estimated rate we 

utilize. Although we have seen no material changes in the historical rates as the number of course titles has changed, we 
monitor such potential effects. In general, determining the estimated average number of course events that will be attended 
by a Training Passport holder is based on historical trends that may not continue in the future. These estimates could differ 
in the near term from amounts used in arriving at the reported revenue. If the estimates are wrong, we would record the 
difference between the revenues previously recognized for that Training Passport and the Training Passport selling price 
upon expiration of that Training Passport. Thus, the timing of revenue recognition may be affected by an inaccurate 
estimation, but the inaccuracy would have no effect on the aggregate revenue recognized over the one- to two-year life of 
each Training Passport.  

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For Passport products for which historical utilization data is not available, we would assume that the estimated 
average number of courses to be attended would be equal to the number of courses available on the Passport. For the 
Unlimited Passport program, we utilized historical data to estimate the expected number of courses that would be attended. 
Assumed utilization rates may be revised in future periods after sufficient time has passed to amass additional historical 
trends.  

In addition to our Learning Tree Training Passports, we also offer a multiple-course sales discount referred to as 

Learning Tree Training Vouchers. With Learning Tree Training Vouchers, a customer buys the right to send a specified 
number of attendees to Learning Tree courses over a six- to twelve-month period for a fixed price. Revenue is recognized 
on a pro rata basis for each attendance. For the majority of Training Vouchers with unused seats at the expiration of the 
Voucher, we record the pro rata selling price of the expired unused seats as revenue. At times we make a business decision 
to extend the life of a Training Voucher beyond the normal twelve month expiration date. Training Vouchers purchased 
under government rate schedules have no expiration date. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Trade accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may 

become uncollectible in the future. We use estimates in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, based on our 
analysis of various factors, including our historical collection experience, current trends, specific identification of invoices 
which are considered doubtful and a percentage of our past due accounts receivable. Although our estimates for this reserve 
have in the past been reasonably accurate, these estimates could differ from actual collection experience and are subject to 
adjustment. Our trade accounts receivable are written off when they are deemed uncollectible.  

Lease Termination Costs. We lease education center and administrative office space under various operating lease 

agreements. Certain of these operating leases include space that is not used and that is currently subleased. We calculate 
and record a liability related to those leases based on the difference between the present value of the net aggregate sublease 
rental income and the present value of the prime lease costs for the subleased space throughout the remaining term of the 
leases. Periodically, we evaluate the nature and extent of each of the individual provisions and make adjustments as 
appropriate, as new information becomes available or subsequent developments occur. When space is vacant from time to 
time, and when the requirements of “cease-use date” is met, we must estimate the fair value of the liability for the vacant 
space based upon the remaining lease costs as defined by our operating lease agreement reduced by estimated future 
sublease rental income that could be reasonably obtained for the property based upon prevailing real estate market 
conditions. The computed short and long-term portions of such liabilities are recorded as deferred facilities rent and other 
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Amounts are paid under the master lease to the landlord, netted 
against subtenant sublease receipts, and applied to our accrued lease liability, reducing the amount of liability recorded with 
an offset to General and Administrative expenses.  

Asset Retirement Obligations. We record a liability equal to the fair value of the estimated future cost to retire an 

asset. For us, most asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) liabilities are primarily associated with education facilities 
leasehold improvements which, at the end of a lease, we are obligated to remove in order to restore the facility back to a 
condition specified in the lease agreement. At the inception of such a lease, we record the ARO as a liability and also 
record a leasehold improvement asset in an amount equal to the fair value of the liability. The capitalized leasehold 
improvement asset is then depreciated on a straight-line basis over 20 years or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. 
Any difference between the actual costs incurred for the eventual retirement and the estimated liability previously recorded 
will be recognized as a gain or loss in our statement of operations at the termination of the lease.  

The fair value of any such ARO liability is estimated in three steps: (1) the costs of leasehold restoration are 

estimated as if they were to be performed at the inception of the lease, (2) the cost is forecast into the future by applying an 
inflation rate in effect at the time of adoption together with a market-risk premium for a contractor’s risk for performing the 
work in the future, and (3) the present value of this future cost is computed by discounting it at our credit worthiness 
interest rate (determined at the inception of the lease).  

The ARO liability is subsequently increased annually by interest accretion throughout the term of the lease. In future 

periods we may also make adjustments to the ARO liability as a result of the availability of new information, technology 
changes, changes in labor costs and other factors.  

The ARO liability is based on a number of assumptions requiring professional judgment. These include estimates for: 

(1) expected future cash flows related to contractual obligations, primarily to restore leased space back to open floor 
layouts as required by the lease agreements; (2) our credit-adjusted risk free rate that considers our estimated credit rating 
as of the date of lease inception; (3) the market risk premium that we determine based on the length of the individual leases; 
and (4) the relevant inflation factor in each affected country. For the more significant AROs we obtain third-party 
restoration estimates specific to those leases. We cannot predict the type of revisions to these assumptions that will be 
required in future periods due to the availability of additional information, technology changes, the price of labor costs and 
other factors.   

34

   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. ASC 740 prescribes the 

use of the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the 
related financial amounts, using currently enacted tax laws. If necessary, a valuation allowance is established, based on the 
weight of available evidence, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. 
Realization of the deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, is principally dependent upon achievement of sufficient 
future taxable income. We exercise significant judgment in determining our provisions for income taxes, our deferred tax 
assets and liabilities and our future taxable income for purposes of assessing our ability to utilize any future tax benefit 
from our deferred tax assets. 

Although we believe that our tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant 
judgments that could become subject to examination by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business. We periodically 
assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the impact on our deferred taxes 
and income tax liabilities and the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. Changes in income tax legislation, statutory 
income tax rates or future taxable income levels, among other things, could materially impact our valuation of income tax 
assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.  

Stock-Based Compensation. We estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an 

option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense 
over the requisite service periods in our consolidated statements of operations. Our determination of fair value of share-
based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by assumptions regarding a number of 
variables including our expected stock price volatility, expected term and risk-free interest rates.  

We analyzed our historical volatility to estimate the expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate assumption is 
based on the U.S. Treasury rate at the date of grant, which most closely resembles the expected life of our options. The 
estimated expected life represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and 
has been determined based on the simplified method under ASC 718. We do not have sufficient historical exercise data to 
provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.  

As stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is based on awards 

ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated pre-vesting forfeitures. Forfeitures were estimated based on 
historical experience. The estimated forfeiture rate used for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 was zero and 35% , respectively.  

Long-Lived Assets. We periodically review the carrying value of our long-lived assets, such as equipment, property 
and leasehold improvements, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value 
may not be recoverable. In making such evaluations, we compare the expected future cash flows to the carrying amount of 
the assets. If the total of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, we are required to 
make estimates of the fair value of the long-lived assets in order to calculate the impairment loss equal to the difference 
between the fair value and the carrying value of the assets. We make significant assumptions and estimates in this process 
regarding matters that are inherently uncertain, such as estimating cash flows, remaining useful lives, discount rates and 
growth rates. The resulting cash flows are computed over an extended period of time, which subjects those assumptions and 
estimates to an even larger degree of uncertainty. While we believe that our estimates are reasonable, different assumptions 
regarding such cash flows could materially affect the valuation of long-lived assets.  

 OUTLOOK 

This presentation sets forth select expected future results of the Company based on estimates, assumptions and 

information available to the Company as of the filing of this Form 10-K. Since the financial and other information 
presented below are estimates of future results and performance, the actual results and outcomes may be different and such 
differences may be material. 

Effect of Exchange Rates. In fiscal year 2016, approximately 37% of our annual business was conducted in 
currencies other than U.S. dollars and fluctuations in exchange rates will affect future revenues and expenses when 
translated into dollars. If the exchange rates as of December 1, 2016 remain constant for the remainder of our first quarter 
of fiscal year 2017, we would expect to report an unfavorable effect of approximately 4.5% on our revenues during our first 
quarter of fiscal year 2017 compared to the same quarter of fiscal year 2016. Of course, we would also see a favorable 
effect from exchange rates on our overall expenses, though this effect is less pronounced because more of our expenses are 
denominated in U.S. dollars, including our corporate management and centralized IT, marketing and course development 
activities which are located here in the United States.   

Number of Course Weeks. As a result of our 52/53 week accounting policy and the timing of holidays, our first 
quarter of fiscal year 2017 will have 12 available training weeks as compared to 11 training weeks in our first quarter of 
fiscal year 2016. 

35

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
First Quarter Revenues. We currently expect revenues from continuing operations for our first quarter of fiscal year 
2017 of between $18.2 million and $19.2 million, compared to revenues from continuing operations of $20.1 million in our 
first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  

First Quarter Gross Profit. We expect a gross profit percentage in our first quarter of fiscal year 2017 of between 

42.2% and 43.2% compared to 41.1% in our first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  

First Quarter Operating Expenses. We expect overall operating expenses for our first quarter of fiscal year 2017 to 

be between $8.3 million and $8.7 million, compared to $10.6 million in our first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  

First Quarter Loss from Continuing Operations. As a result of the above factors, we expect to experience a first 

quarter of fiscal year of 2017 operating loss of between $0 and $(1.0) million compared with a $(2.3) million operating loss 
from continuing operations in our first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  

First Quarter Other Income (Expense), Net. We expect first quarter other income (expense), to be between $0 and 

$(0.1) million, compared to $0.1 million in our first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  

First Quarter Pre-Tax Loss. Overall, we expect to report a pre-tax loss for our first quarter of fiscal year 2017 of 

between $0 and $(1.1) million, compared to a pre-tax loss of $(2.2) million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016.   

Item 7A.          QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK  

Not Required for a Smaller Reporting Company 

Item 8.             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.  

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES   
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and October 
2, 2015 

Page

37

38

39

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity for fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015

40

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

41

42

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  

Board of Directors and Stockholders  
Learning Tree International, Inc.  
Herndon, VA  

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Learning Tree International, Inc. and its subsidiaries 
(the Company) as of September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations and 
comprehensive loss, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the 
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 
based on our audits. 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to 
perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control 
over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for 
the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. 
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also 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 Learning Tree International, Inc. and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, 
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a 
going concern.  As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s existing cash resources, 
recurring operating losses, negative cash flows from operations, and negative working capital raise substantial doubt 
about its ability to continue as a going concern.  Management’s plans concerning these matters are also described in 
Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.  The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments 
that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP  

McLean, Virginia 
January 13, 2017  

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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Assets  
Current Assets:  

Cash and cash equivalents  
Trade accounts receivable, net  
Income tax receivable  
Prepaid expenses  
Other current assets  

Total current assets  

Equipment, Property and Leasehold Improvements:  

Education and office equipment  
Transportation equipment  
Property and leasehold improvements  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization  

Restricted interest-bearing investments  
Deferred income taxes  
Other assets  

Total assets  

Liabilities  
Current Liabilities:  

Trade accounts payable  
Deferred revenues  
Accrued payroll, benefits and related taxes  
Other accrued liabilities  
Income taxes payable  
Current portion of deferred facilities rent and other  

Total current liabilities  

Asset retirement obligations  
Deferred income taxes  
Deferred facilities rent and other  
Noncurrent tax liabilities  

Total liabilities  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  
STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY  
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and 
outstanding  
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 13,224,349 shares 
issued and outstanding  
Additional paid-in capital  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  
Accumulated deficit  

Total stockholders' (deficit) equity  
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity  

  September 30,     Octtober 2,

2016 

2015

  $

  $

  $

  $

8,540     $
9,538      
208      
1,916      
1,424      
21,626      

32,388      
43      
18,469      
50,900      
(44,990)    
5,910      
2,943      
427      
701      
31,607     $

6,095     $
21,017      
2,414      
973      
0      
1,667      
32,166      
1,369      
89      
6,297      
1,475      
41,396      

17,936  
10,475  
498  
2,773  
1,747  
33,429  

33,165  
70  
17,931  
51,166  
(45,096)
6,070  
3,265  
476  
681  
43,921  

6,744  
22,909  
2,865  
1,225  
174  
1,401  
35,318  
1,669  
134  
2,575  
1,178  
40,874  

0      

0  

1      
6,388      
(882)    
(15,296)    
(9,789)    
31,607     $

1  
6,224  
(578)
(2,600)
3,047  
43,921  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

38

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
   
 
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
      
        
 
   
   
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS 
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

Revenues  
Cost of revenues  
Gross profit  

Operating expenses: 

Course development  
Sales and marketing  
General and administrative  
Restructuring charge  

Loss from operations before other operating items 

Other operating items: 

Gain (loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 

Loss from operations 
Other income (expense), net: 

Interest income, net  
Foreign exchange gains  
Other  

Loss from continuing operations before provision for income taxes 
Provision for income taxes  

Loss from continuing operations 

Discontinued operations (Note 12)  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 
Loss on disposal of discontinued segment 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 

Net loss  

Loss per share basic and diluted:  

Continuing operations  
Discontinued operations  
Basic and diluted loss per share 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic  
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted  

Comprehensive loss:  
Net loss  
Foreign currency translation adjustments  

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30, 
2016 

October 2, 
2015

  $

81,587     $
50,163      
31,424      

5,128      
17,966      
18,902      
1,940      
43,936      
(12,512)    

11      
11      
(12,501)    

15      
215      
(3)    
227      
(12,274)    
422      
(12,696)    

0      
0      
0      

94,884  
55,809  
39,075  

8,146  
21,591  
19,029  
0  
48,766  
(9,691)

(4)
(4)
(9,695)

23  
340  
(9)
354  
(9,341)
467  
(9,808)

(264)
(2,501)
(2,765)

  $

  $
  $
  $

  $

(12,696)   $

(12,573)

(0.96)   $
0     $
(0.96)   $

13,224      
13,224      

(0.74)
(0.21)
(0.95)

13,224  
13,224  

(12,696)    
(304)    
(13,000)   $

(12,573)
(253)
(12,826)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  

39

  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
  
      
        
 
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
  
   
   
      
        
 
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
  
      
        
 
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
  
  
  
  
 
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY 
(amounts in thousands)  

Common Stock

Shares 
Outstanding

Amount

Additional 
Paid- 
In Capital

Accumulated 
Other 
Comprehensive
Loss

Accumulated 
Deficit 

Total 
Stockholders'
(Deficit) Equity
15,797  

Balance, October 3, 2014 

13,222  $

1   $

6,148   $

(325)  $ 

9,973   $

Net loss 
Foreign currency translation 

Share-based compensation 
Restricted stock units released 
Balance, October 2, 2015 

Net loss 
Foreign currency translation 

Share-based compensation 
Balance, September 30, 2016 

0   
0   
0   
2   
13,224  $

0   
0   
0   
13,224  $

0    
0    
0    
0    
1   $

0    
0    
0    
1   $

0    
0    
76    
0    
6,224   $

0    
0    
164    
6,388   $

0      
(253)    
0      
0      
(578)  $ 

0      
(304)    
0      
(882)  $ 

(12,573)  
0    
0    
0    
(2,600) $

(12,696)  
0    
0    
(15,296) $

(12,573)
(253)
76  
0  
3,047  

(12,696)
(304)
164  
(9,789)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.  

40

  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
 
 
   
  
     
      
      
      
       
      
 
   
   
   
   
   
  
     
      
      
      
       
      
 
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
(amounts in thousands)    

Cash flows - operating activities 
Net loss 
Add: Loss on sale of France Unit 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax 
Loss from continuing operations 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in 

continuing operating activities: 

Depreciation and amortization 
Share-based compensation 
Deferred income taxes 
Provision for doubtful accounts 
Accretion on asset retirement obligations 
(Gain) loss on disposal of equipment, property and leasehold improvements 
Restructuring charge 
Unrealized foreign exchange gains 
Settlement of asset retirement obligation 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 

Trade accounts receivable 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 
Income tax receivable / payable 
Trade accounts payable 
Deferred revenues 
Deferred facilities rent and other 
Asset retirement obligation 
Other accrued liabilities 

Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations 
Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations 
Net cash used in operating activities  
Cash flows - investing activities: 

Purchases of equipment, property and leasehold improvements 
Proceeds from sale of equipment, property and leasehold improvements 

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations 
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations 
Net cash used in investing activities 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents of discontinued 
operations 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 

Supplemental disclosures: 
Income taxes paid 
Interest paid 

Supplemental non-cash disclosures: 

Non-cash leasehold improvements 
Capital lease 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30,  
2016 

October 2,  
2015

  $

(12,696)   $
0      
0      
(12,696)    

(12,573)
2,501  
264  
(9,808)

2,830      
164      
(29)    
391      
76      
(11)    
1,940      
(205)    
(77)    

404      
914      
405      
(483)    
(1,274)    
(438)    
(128)    
(774)    
(8,991)    
0      
(8,991)    

(385)    
12      
(373)    
0      
(373)    
(32)    

0      
(32)    
0      
(9,396)    
17,936      
8,540     $

191     $
16     $

2,106     $
472     $

4,318  
76  
(30)
63  
79  
4  
0  
(298)
0  

2,766  
(506)
(81)
453  
(2,866)
(1,386)
0  
(2,241)
(9,457)
(210)
(9,667)

(2,255)
22  
(2,233)
(745)
(2,978)
(255)

(242)
(497)
(1,197)
(11,945)
29,881  
17,936  

580  
3  

0  
0  

  $

  $
  $

  $
  $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.   

41

  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
  
LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES   
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)  

1. NATURE OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  

a. Nature of the Business  

Learning Tree International, Inc. and subsidiaries (“the Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) develop, market, and 
deliver a broad, predominately proprietary, library of instructor-led classroom courses that are designed to meet the 
professional development needs of information technology (“IT”) professionals and managers worldwide. These courses 
are delivered primarily at our leased education centers located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden 
and Japan. Such course events are also conducted from specially equipped facilities, in hotel and conference facilities, and 
at customer sites throughout the world. Almost all of our course titles are also available to individuals located worldwide 
through Learning Tree AnyWare™, our patent-pending live online learning interface that allows individuals at any location 
to attend a live instructor-led Learning Tree class via the Internet. Our courses provide both breadth and depth of education 
across a wide range of technical and management disciplines, including operating systems, databases, computer networks, 
computer and network security, web development, programming languages, software engineering, open source 
applications, project management, business skills, and leadership and professional development.  

We follow a 52- or 53-week fiscal year, with our quarter-end dates on the Friday nearest the end of the calendar 
quarter and our year-end dates on the Friday nearest the end of September. Accordingly, our fiscal year 2016 ended on 
September 30, 2016, and our fiscal year 2015 ended on October 2, 2015. Thus, these consolidated financial statements 
report our consolidated financial position as of September 30, 2016, and October 2, 2015, and the related consolidated 
statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal years ended September 
30, 2016 and October 2, 2015. Both fiscal years 2016 and 2015 were 52-week years.  

Certain items in the fiscal year 2015 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 

current presentation. 

b. Basis of Presentation 

As of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, we have reported an accumulated stockholders' deficit of 

$15.3 million and we have also reported negative cash flow from continuing operations in fiscal year 2016 and for the 
previous four years as revenues have declined each year during this period. At September 30, 2016, our capital resources 
consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $8.5 million. While we have or are taking steps to stabilize revenues and decrease 
costs on a year over year basis in 2017, unless we are able to improve our liquidity in the future, there is substantial doubt 
about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. We have retained the services of a financial adviser to assist us 
in all strategic options available to the Company to improve liquidity. 

To address the decline in revenue, we have been executing upon new strategies to increase the number of attendees in 

our public courses and expand our overall customer base. A number of these strategies relate to pricing promotions to 
attract new customers or to re-engage old customers that have not used our services in many years. We are also partnering 
with certification organizations, hardware and software vendors, as well some other training providers to augment the 
breadth of training courses we can offer to organizations. Another strategy is to grow our position as a leading worldwide 
provider of training and workforce development to IT professionals and managers through the continued growth of our 
Workforce Optimization Solutions. Workforce Optimization Solutions augments and enhances our core training 
capabilities enabling Learning Tree to partner with our customers in helping them develop a high-performing organization 
through workforce development and process improvement. 

42

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
We have accelerated our Comprehensive Cost Reduction Program with the goal of significantly reducing our fiscal 
year 2017 overall expenses in the range of $10.0 million to $12.0 million when compared to the Company’s expenses for 
fiscal year 2016. These targeted cost reductions are in addition to approximately $6.8 million in operating cost reductions 
(excluding the restructuring charge) achieved during fiscal year 2016 when compared to the Company’s expenses for fiscal 
year 2015. These reductions have been initiated to right-size the Company’s operations, modernize its business operations 
to meet changing customer demand and preserve capital. In order to implement these cost reductions for the 2017 fiscal 
year, we have taken the following steps: 

● 

● 
● 

● 

● 

Eliminated our direct mail course catalog advertising program. In addition to being a “green initiative”, we 
believe that our overall customer-base has shifted the manner in which it selects and purchases courses away 
from printed catalogs toward greater use of digital channels, such as website, social media and digital 
advertising.  
Made our course notes available electronically and only produce a paper copy if requested by our attendee.  
Completed, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016, a reduction in force of 26 full time equivalent 
employees in North America.  
Reduced the compensation paid to our Board of Directors in 2016, which our directors unanimously agreed to 
do as part of our cost reduction program. Effective August 1, 2016, our Directors are compensated for meeting 
fees and serving as Committee chairmen, but do not receive any monthly or yearly fee. 
Reduced our real estate costs, through the elimination or nonrenewal of certain leased facilities and negotiation 
for replacement facilities. As other facility leases expire, additional cost reductions will be evaluated. 

As part of this program, Learning Tree will continue to review and take appropriate actions to streamline its 

operations in order to reduce or eliminate excess costs. 

To further address our liquidity needs in the near term, on January 12, 2017, we entered into a Financing Agreement 

with Action Capital, which provides the Company with access to borrow through advances of funds up to a maximum 
aggregate principal amount of $3.0 million. Pursuant to the Financing Agreement, the amount advanced to the Company 
will be based upon an agreed advance rate of up to 85% of the net amount of certain customer accounts receivable of the 
Company that are approved by Action Capital and assigned to it as collateral. The amounts advanced under the Financing 
Agreement will also be secured by the Company’s accounts receivables from its U.S. operations. The Financing Agreement 
does not have any set term and either party may, for any reason, terminate the Financing Agreement by providing written 
notice. As a result, if Action Capital were to terminate the Financing Agreement and we did not have an alternative line of 
credit or other source of capital available, then we would have to rely upon our cash and cash equivalents for our working 
capital needs, which may not be sufficient. See Note 14 of the Consolidated Audited Financial Statements for more 
information about this Financing Agreement.    

We are also continuing to evaluate additional sources of capital and financing. We have retained the services of a 
financial advisor to assist us in assessing strategic options available to the Company to improve liquidity. However, there is 
no assurance that additional capital and/or financing will be available to the Company, and even if available, whether it will 
be on terms acceptable to us or in amounts required. 

The stabilization of revenues and reduction in costs are integral to our goal of achieving a break even operating 
income line and a positive cash flow from operations for fiscal year 2017. We cannot provide assurances that our plans will 
not change, that changed circumstances will not result in the depletion of our capital resources more rapidly than we 
currently anticipate, or that we will be successful in securing additional liquidity. The financial statements have been 
prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, but due to the Company’s future liquidity needs, 
history of net losses, and negative cash flows from continuing operations, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might 
result from the outcome of this uncertainty. 

43

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
c. Principles of Consolidation  

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Learning Tree International, Inc. and 

our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The following is a list of our 
subsidiaries as of September 30, 2016:   

Learning Tree International USA, Inc. (U.S.)   
Learning Tree International, K.K. (Japan)   
Learning Tree International Ltd. (United Kingdom)   
Learning Tree International AB (Sweden)   
Learning Tree International Inc. (Canada)   
Advanced Technology Marketing, Inc. (U.S.)  
AnyWare Live, Inc. (U.S.) 

d. Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable  

Our revenues are received from business entities and government agencies for the professional training of their 
employees. Course events range in length from one to five days, and average approximately three and a half days. As stated 
above, we follow a 52- or 53-week fiscal year. This method is used in order to better align our external financial reporting 
with the way we operate our business. Since all courses have a duration of five days or less, and all courses begin and end 
within the same calendar week, under the 52- or 53-week fiscal year method all revenues and related direct costs for each 
course event are recognized in the week and the fiscal quarter in which the event takes place.   

We offer our customers a multiple-course sales discount referred to as a “Learning Tree Training Passport” or 

“Training Passport”. A Learning Tree Training Passport allows an individual Passport holder to attend up to a specified 
number of Learning Tree courses over a one or two-year period for a fixed price. For a Learning Tree Training Passport, 
the amount of revenue recognized for each attendance in a course is based upon the selling price of such Training Passport, 
the list price of the course taken, the weighted average list price of all courses taken and the estimated average number of 
courses Passport holders will actually attend. Upon expiration of each individual Training Passport, we record the 
difference, if any, between the revenues previously recognized and that specific Training Passport’s total invoiced price. 
The estimated attendance rate is based upon the historical experience of the average number of course events that Passport 
holders have been attending. The actual Training Passport attendance rate is reviewed at least semi-annually, and if the 
Training Passport attendance rates change, the revenue recognition rate for active Training Passports and for Training 
Passports sold thereafter is adjusted prospectively.   

We believe it is appropriate to recognize revenues on this basis in order to most closely match revenue and related 
costs, as the substantial majority of our Passport holders do not attend the maximum number of course events permitted 
under their Learning Tree Training Passport. We believe that the use of recent historical data is reasonable and appropriate 
because of the relative stability of the average actual number of course events attended by Passport holders.  

The average attendance rate for all expired Learning Tree Training Passports has closely approximated the estimated 

rate we utilize. Although we have seen no material changes in the historical rates as the number of course titles has 
changed, we monitor such potential effects. In general, determining the estimated average number of course events that will 
be attended by a Passport holder is based on historical trends that may not continue in the future. These estimates could 
differ in the near term from amounts used in arriving at the reported revenue. If the estimates are wrong, we would record 
the difference between the revenues previously recognized for that Training Passport and the Training Passport selling 
price upon expiration of that Training Passport. Thus, the timing of revenue recognition may be affected by an inaccurate 
estimation, but the inaccuracy would have no effect on the aggregate revenue recognized over the one- to two-year life of 
each Training Passport.  

For Training Passport products for which historical utilization data is not available, we assume that the estimated 

average number of courses to be attended is equal to the number of courses available on the Training Passport. Assumed 
utilization rates may be revised in future periods after sufficient time has passed to amass additional historical trends.  

In addition to our Learning Tree Training Passports, we also offer a multiple-course sales discount referred to as 

“Learning Tree Training Vouchers” or Training Vouchers”. With Learning Tree Training Vouchers, a customer buys the 
right to send a specified number of attendees to Learning Tree courses over a six to twelve-month period for a fixed price. 
Revenue is recognized on a pro rata basis for each attendance. For the majority of Training Vouchers with unused seats at 
the expiration of the Voucher, we record the pro rata selling price of the expired unused seats as revenue. At times we make 
a business decision to extend a Training Voucher beyond the normal twelve month expiration date. Training Vouchers 
purchased under government rate schedules have no expiration date.  

44

  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
Trade accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. We 

use estimates in determining the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on our analysis of various factors, 
including our historical collection experience, current trends, specific identification of invoices which are considered 
doubtful, and a percentage of our past due accounts receivable. These estimates could differ from actual collection 
experience and are subject to adjustment. Our trade accounts receivable are written off when they are deemed uncollectible.  

e. Share-Based Compensation  

We estimate the fair value of share-based option awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. We 

estimate the fair value of share-based restricted stock units and restricted stock grants using the closing price of our stock 
on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over 
the requisite service periods in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Our determination of fair 
value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by assumptions 
regarding a number of variables, including our expected stock price volatility, expected term, dividend yield and risk-free 
interest rates.  

We analyzed our historical volatility to estimate the expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate assumption is 

based on the U.S. Treasury rate at the date of grant, that most closely resembles the expected life of our options. The 
estimated expected life represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and 
has been determined based on the simplified method under ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. We do not have 
sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.   

As share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive 
loss is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated pre-vesting forfeitures. Forfeitures 
were estimated based on historical experience.  

f. Course Development Costs  

Course development costs are charged to operations in the period incurred. 

g. Advertising  

Advertising costs are charged to expense in the period incurred. Advertising costs totaled $383 and $612 in fiscal 

years 2016 and 2015, respectively.  

h. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Interest-bearing Investments  

We consider highly liquid investments with remaining maturities of ninety days or less when purchased to be cash 

equivalents.  

Restricted interest-bearing investments at September 30, 2016 consisted of cash deposits of $1,867 (1,439 British 
Pounds), $179 (1,534 Swedish Krona) and $897 which were pledged as collateral to secure our obligations under leases for 
education center facilities located in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the United States, respectively. This compares to 
restricted interest-bearing investments of cash deposits of $2,185 (1,439 British Pounds), $184 (1,534 Swedish Krona) and 
$896 at October 2, 2015. The United Kingdom deposits are held in trust by the landlord with interest accruing to us and 
paid on an annual basis. The deposits will be released to us at the earlier of the end of the lease period or when certain 
financial ratios have been met. In the United States, the deposit is in an interest-bearing restricted account held by our bank 
and serves as collateral for letters of credit issued to our landlords by our bank.  

i. Marketing Expenses  

Marketing expenses primarily include the external costs associated with the design, printing, postage, list rental and 
handling of direct mail advertising materials to be mailed in the future. These costs are charged to expense in the month in 
which the advertising materials are mailed since the benefit period for such costs is short and the amount of future benefit is 
not practically measurable. Marketing expenses for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 were $5,857 and $8,942 respectively.  

45

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
j. Equipment, Property and Leasehold Improvements  

Equipment, property and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized using the 

straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:  

Education and office equipment (years) 
Transportation equipment (years) 
Accounting software (years) 
Leasehold improvements 

3 to 5  
  4 
  7 
20 years or the 
life of 
the lease, if 
shorter 

Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $2,830 and $4,318 in fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. Costs 
of normal maintenance and repairs and minor replacements are normally charged to expense as incurred. In those instances 
where we have determined we are contractually obligated to incur recurring repairs and maintenance costs related to our 
leased facilities, a provision is made in the consolidated financial statements at the earlier of the date the expense is 
incurred or the date of the obligation. The costs of assets sold or retired are eliminated from the accounts along with the 
related accumulated depreciation or amortization, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the statements of operations 
and comprehensive loss.   

During fiscal year 2016, we had $1.8 million leasehold improvements and $0.3 million of office equipment funded 

by the landlord for tenant improvement reimbursements on our Herndon facility. 

The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) associated with a leased facility is recorded as 

an asset (leasehold improvements) and a liability when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a long-
lived asset and the amount can be reasonably estimated. See also Note 2 relating to AROs.  

k. Long-Lived Assets  

We periodically review the carrying value of our long-lived assets, such as equipment, property and leasehold 
improvements for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be 
recoverable. In making such evaluations, we compare the expected future cash flows to the carrying amount of the assets. If 
the total of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, we are required to make estimates 
of the fair value of the long-lived assets in order to calculate the impairment loss equal to the difference between the fair 
value of the assets and their book value. We make significant assumptions and estimates in this process regarding matters 
that are inherently uncertain, such as estimating cash flows, remaining useful lives, discount rates and growth rates. The 
resulting cash flows are computed over an extended period of time, which subjects those assumptions and estimates to an 
even larger degree of uncertainty. While we believe that our estimates are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such 
cash flows could materially affect the valuation of long-lived assets.  

l. Deferred Revenues  

Deferred revenues primarily relate to unearned revenues associated with Training Passports, Training Vouchers and 

advance payments received from customers for course events to be held in the future.  

m. Comprehensive loss  

We report comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Other 

comprehensive loss represents changes in stockholders’ equity from non-owner sources and is comprised of foreign 
currency translation adjustments. At the end of fiscal year 2016, accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of 
cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments of $(882) compared to cumulative foreign currency translation 
adjustments of $(578) at the end of fiscal year 2015.  

n. Income Taxes  

We provide for income taxes under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC 740, Income Taxes. 

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the basis 
reported in our consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference 
between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the 
year in which the differences reverse. Valuation allowances are provided against assets, including net operating losses, if it 

46

  
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
is anticipated that some or the entire asset may not be realized through future taxable earnings or implementation of tax 
planning strategies.  

The tax effects of uncertain tax positions are recognized in the consolidated financial statements only if the position 
is more likely than not to be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. For tax positions meeting the 
more likely than not threshold, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has 
a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. It is our accounting policy to account for ASC 740-10-related penalties and 
interest as a component of the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.   

o. Foreign Currency  

We translate the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries from the local (functional) currencies to U.S. dollars. 
The rates of exchange at each fiscal year end are used for translating the assets and liabilities and the average monthly rates 
of exchange for each year are used for the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Gains or losses 
arising from the translation of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements are included in the accompanying consolidated 
balance sheets as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency 
transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.  

To date, we have not sought to hedge the risk associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and therefore 

we continue to be subject to such risk.  

p. Deferred Facilities Rent  

Operating Lease Activities:  

We lease education center and administrative office space under various operating lease agreements. Certain lease 

agreements include provisions that provide for cash incentives, graduated rent payments and other inducements. We 
recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the related terms of such leases. The value of lease incentives and/or 
inducements, along with the excess of the rent expense recognized over the rentals paid, is recorded as deferred facilities 
rent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  

Lease Termination Activities:  

 We record liabilities for costs that will be incurred under a contract without economic benefit at estimated fair value. 

We have vacated space in leased facilities subject to operating leases and recorded the estimated liability associated with 
future rentals at the cease-use date. The fair value of the liability at the cease-use date was determined based on the 
remaining cash flows for lease rentals, and minimum lease payments, reduced by estimated sublease rentals and certain 
subtenant reimbursements that could be reasonably obtained for the property, discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free 
rate. The liability is adjusted for changes, if any, resulting from revisions to estimated cash flows after the cease-use date, 
measured using the original historical credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Changes due to the passage of time are recognized as 
an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as accretion expense.   

q. Fair Value of Financial Instruments  

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair 

values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.  

 r. Use of Estimates  

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in 
the United States requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in 
the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  

s. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements  

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 
(“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The standard is a 
comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of 
goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those 
goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 
606): Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”), which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to 
fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for 
fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Accordingly, the standard is 

47

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
effective for us on September 30, 2018 using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. We are 
currently evaluating which transition approach to use and the impact that the standard will have on our consolidated 
financial statements. 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern 
(Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-
15”). The standard requires management to evaluate, at each interim and annual reporting period, whether there are 
conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year 
after the date the financial statements are issued, and provide related disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for reporting 
periods ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect to early adopt ASU 2014-15. We 
are currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.  

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of 
Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”). The standard requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent 
on the balance sheet rather than being separated into current and noncurrent. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years, and 
interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted and the standard may 
be applied either retrospectively or on a prospective basis to all deferred tax assets and liabilities. We do not expect to early 
adopt ASU 2015-17. Accordingly, the standard is effective for us on September 30, 2017 and will result in our deferred tax 
assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current on our consolidated balance sheet.  

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The standard 
requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months. 
ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, and 
early adoption is permitted. Accordingly, the standard is effective for us on September 28, 2019 using a modified 
retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on our consolidated financial 
statements. 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): 
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). The standard is intended to simplify 
several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on 
the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those 
years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. Accordingly, the standard is effective for us on 
September 30, 2017. We do not expect adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 to have a material impact on our consolidated 
financial statements. 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain 
Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). The standard clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments 
are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim 
periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. Accordingly, the new 
standard is effective for us on September 30, 2018 using a retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact 
that the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.  

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash a 
consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2016-18”). The standard requires restricted cash and cash 
equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents on the statement cash flows. The new standard is expected to be 
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption 
permitted. Accordingly, the new standard would be effective for us on September 30, 2018 using a retrospective approach, 
and will result in our restricted cash to be included with cash and cash equivalents to reflect total cash on our statement of 
cash flows. 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including the Emerging Issues Task Force), the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the SEC did not, or management believes will not, have a material 
impact on our present or future consolidated financial statements.  

2. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS  

We record a liability equal to the fair value of the estimated cost to retire an asset. The ARO liability is recorded in 
the period in which the obligation meets the definition of a liability, which is generally when the asset is placed in service 
and whereby we have contractual commitments to remove leasehold improvements and to return the leased facility back to 
a specified condition when the lease terminates. For a facility lease, this is typically at the inception of the lease.  

48

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
When the ARO liability is initially recorded, we increase the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset 

(leasehold improvements) by an amount equal to the calculated liability. The liability is subsequently accreted to its present 
value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset, which is the lease term. 
The ARO liability is recorded at fair value, and accretion expense (included in general and administrative expenses) is 
recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. The fair value of the ARO 
liability is measured using the expected future cash outflows related to the lease and calculated by using inflation rates in 
effect at the time of adoption and incorporating a market-risk premium, and discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free 
interest rate at the time of adoption. Any difference between costs incurred upon settlement of an asset retirement 
obligation and the recorded liability will be recognized as a gain or loss in our earnings.   

Each ARO liability is based on a number of assumptions requiring judgment. We cannot predict the type of revisions 

to these assumptions that will be required in future periods due to the availability of additional information, technology 
changes, the price of labor costs and other factors.  

The following table presents the activity for our ARO liabilities, which primarily consist of classroom facilities at our 

Education Centers:   

ARO balance, beginning of period  

Accretion expense  
Liabilities satisfied  
Settlement of ARO liability  
Foreign currency translation  

ARO balance, end of period  

Fiscal Year Ended 

September 30, 
2016

October 2, 2015 

  $

  $

1,669     $
76      
(128)   
(77)   
(171)   
1,369     $

1,656   
79   
0   
0   
(66) 
1,669   

During fiscal year 2016, our lease for the Education Center in the Chicago area expired and we satisfied our return 

obligation to the landlord.   

3. INCOME TAXES   

We file a consolidated United States federal income tax return which includes all of our domestic operations. Our 
domestic subsidiaries also file income tax returns based on our operations in certain state and local jurisdictions. We file 
separate tax returns for each of our foreign subsidiaries in the countries in which they operate.  

Loss before provision for income taxes consists of the following:  

Domestic  
Foreign  

Total 

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:  

Fiscal Year Ended 

September 30, 
2016

October 2, 2015 

  $

  $

(11,565)   $
(709)    
(12,274)   $

(10,499) 
1,158   
(9,341) 

Fiscal Year Ended 

September 30, 
2016

    October 2, 2015   

Current tax provision (benefit): 

U.S. Federal  
State  
Foreign  

Deferred tax provision: 
U.S. Federal  
Foreign  

Provision for income taxes  

  $

  $

49

0     $
196      
255     
449      

14     
(43)   
(29)   
422     $

185   
(64) 
376   
497   

(1) 
(29) 
(30) 
467   

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
   
  
  
      
        
  
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
  
  
 
   
  
   
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
      
        
  
   
   
  
   
      
        
  
   
   
  
   
The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the United States federal statutory tax rate: 

Fiscal Year Ended

September 
30,  
2016

   Effective  
Tax rate %

  October 2, 
2015

  Effective  
Tax rate % 

Income taxes at the U.S. statutory 
rate  
Equity compensation  
Penalties 
Other permanent differences 
Effects of foreign taxes and tax 
credits  
State income taxes  
Uncertain tax positions 
Change in valuation allowance 
Other 
Total provision for income taxes  

  $

  $

(4,296)  
42    
0    
342    

2,368    
(439)  
320    
1,911    
174    
422    

35.0%  $
(0.3) 
0.0  
(2.8) 

(19.3) 
3.6  
(2.6) 
(15.6) 
(1.4) 
(3.4)% $

(3,269)   
22     
0     
448     

(184)   
(363)   
57     
3,737     
19     
467     

35.0 % 
(0.2) 
0.0   
(4.8) 

2.0   
3.9   
(0.6) 
(40.0) 
(0.3) 
(5.0)%

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and in determining 
whether any deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. When it is more likely than not that all or some portion of 
specific deferred tax assets such as net operating losses or foreign tax credit carry-forwards will not be realized, a valuation 
allowance must be established for the amount of the deferred tax assets that would not be realized. Realization will be 
based on our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. In fiscal year 2012, we established a valuation allowance 
against our deferred tax assets in the United States due to current year and projected future pre-tax book losses. We 
continued to maintain this valuation allowance throughout fiscal years 2015 and 2016. As of September 30, 2016, we had a 
net deferred tax asset of $338.  

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 As of September 30, 2016, we had foreign tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $132, which expire, if unused 

in the years 2021-2023.  

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:  

Fiscal Year Ended

September 30, 
2016

October 2, 2015 

  $

Domestic operations: 

Deferred tax assets: 

Deferred facilities rent charges  
Deferred revenue  
Foreign tax credit carryforwards 
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards 
Accrued vacation 
Equity compensation 
Depreciation and amortization 
Net operating loss 
Capital loss 
Other  

Deferred tax liabilities: 
Prepaid expenses  
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries 
Domestic net deferred tax assets  

Foreign operations: 

Deferred tax assets: 

Depreciation and other  

Deferred tax liabilities: 

Depreciation and other  
Foreign net deferred tax assets  

Domestic and foreign deferred tax assets 
Valuation allowances 

Net deferred tax assets  

  $

2,721     $
1,772      
132      
189      
360      
58      
2,418      
6,873      
78      
435      

(158)   
(2,287)   
12,591      

1,330   
2,092   
132   
189   
443   
37   
2,789   
3,912   
79   
198   

(505) 
0   
10,696   

422      

472   

(73)   
349      
12,940      
(12,602)   
338     $

(134) 
338   
11,034   
(10,692) 
342   

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. For fiscal 
year 2016, we recognized an expense of $57 attributable to interest for uncertain tax positions related to transfer pricing and 
interest accrued. As of September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, we had $762 and $706 accrued, respectively, for interest 
and penalties for uncertain tax positions. As of September 30, 2016, $1,047 of our total unrecognized tax benefits would 
favorably affect our effective tax rate if recognized. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that the amount of 
unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next 12 months due to changes in circumstances other than 
related to these intercompany transactions. We file income tax returns in the United States and various state, local, and 
foreign jurisdictions, and remain subject to examinations by these jurisdictions for fiscal years 2010 through 2016.  

The aggregate change in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, is as 

follows:  

Fiscal Year Ended

Balance, beginning of year 

Decreases related to tax positions taken during a prior period  
Increases related to tax positions taken during the current period  

Balance end of year 

  $

  $

September 30, 
2016 

October 2, 2015
606  
(134)
0  
472  

472     $ 
0       
241       
713     $ 

Based on future forecasts and budgets, the Company expects to repatriate the unremitted earnings from the foreign 

subsidiaries to the United States which then become taxable to the Company in the foreseeable future. Therefore, in the 
fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of $2,271 and $16 for Federal income and 
foreign withholding taxes, respectively, related to approximately $6,490 of its international subsidiaries’ undistributed 
earnings as of September 30, 2016. This deferred tax liability is offset by existing deferred tax assets in the United States; 
therefore, the net impact to tax expense for fiscal year 2016 is only the $16 of foreign withholding taxes.  

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4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  

a. Operating Lease Commitments  

As of September 30, 2016, we had various non-cancelable operating leases for facilities that expire at various dates 

through 2026 and certain leases for office equipment requiring annual payments as follows:  

Fiscal Year Ending 
2017  
2018  
2019  
2020  
2021  
Thereafter 

Minimum  
Lease  
Payments

Less 
Sublease  
Proceeds

  $

  $

7,440    $
5,916     
5,764     
5,419     
4,175     
9,033     
37,747    $

Net Lease  
Commitments 
7,255  
5,588  
5,423  
5,216  
4,175  
9,033  
36,690  

185     $
328      
341      
203      
0      
0      
1,057     $

Rental expense, excluding sublease income, was $9,231 and $9,114 for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Sublease rental income for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 was $83 and $120, respectively.  

b. Capital Lease Commitments 

During fiscal year 2016, we acquired two printers and their licensed software under capital leases. The following is a 

summary as of September 30, 2016 of the present value of the net minimum lease payments on capital leases: 

Fiscal Year Ending 
2017  
2018  
2019  
2020  
2021  

Total minimum payments 

Less amount representing interest (imputed weighted average capital lease annual 
interest rate of 9.1% for Equipment Lease and 7.67% for Software Lease) 

Net minimum payments 
Less Current Portion 

Minimun Lease 
Payments 

  $

  $

  $

124  
116  
116  
116  
103  
575  

(108)
467  
(81)
386  

Capital lease liability is included in the "Deferred facilities rent and other" line of our consolidated balance sheet. 

c. Contingencies  

Currently, and from time to time, we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. We are not a 

party to any lawsuit or proceeding that, in the opinion of management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on our 
consolidated financial position or results of operations. 

5. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

We did not purchase any shares of our common stock during fiscal years 2016 and 2015. We may make purchases of 

common stock in the future, but we have no commitments to do so.  

6. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION  

Effective January 23, 2007, our stockholders approved the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (our “2007 Plan”). Our 2007 
Plan is administered by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of our Board of Directors. Our 2007 Plan permits 
the granting of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (or SARs), restricted stock, 
restricted stock units, performance units and performance shares to our employees, officers, directors and consultants in an 
amount up to an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of common stock. Option awards have been granted with an exercise price 
equal to the market price of our stock at the date of grant and generally vest one fourth per year over four years (in some 
instances, subject to achieving certain financial targets in the year with respect to which they are granted) and have ten-year 
contractual terms. However, the exercise price, vesting schedule and period required for full exercisability of the options is 
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at the discretion of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of our Board of Directors. The Compensation and 
Stock Option Committee, with the approval of our Board, has also issued stock compensation grants which are not part of 
the 2007 Plan. We recognize compensation cost for all awards on a straight-line basis (or, on a graded basis for those 
options with performance conditions) over the requisite service period for the entire award, which is equal to the vesting 
period. We have a policy of issuing new shares of common stock to satisfy share option exercises.  

The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. 

Expected volatilities were based on the historical volatility of our stock measured over a period commensurate with the 
expected life of granted stock options. The expected term of options represented the period of time that options granted 
were expected to be outstanding and was determined based on the simplified method as discussed in ASC 718, 
Compensation-Stock Compensation, as we do not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon 
which to estimate expected term. The risk-free interest rate assumption was based on the U.S. Treasury rate at the date of 
the grant, that most closely resembled the expected life of options. The expected dividend yield was 0%.   

A summary of option activity under the 2007 Plan and Board authorized grants during fiscal years 2015 and 2016 is 

presented below:   

Options 

Shares

Weighted- 
Average  
Exercise  
Price

Weighted- 
Average  
Remaining 
Contractual 
Term 

     Aggregate 
Intrinsic 
Value

Outstanding at October 3, 2014 
Options granted 
Options exercised 
Options forfeited, expired and unearned 
Outstanding at October 2, 2015 
Options granted 
Options exercised 
Options forfeited, expired and unearned 
Outstanding at September 30, 2016 
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 
2016 
Exercisable at September 30, 2016 

200,000    $
50,000     
0     
0     
250,000     
600,000     
0     
0     
850,000     

836,958     
112,500    $

3.85      
1.76      
0.00      
0.00      
3.43      
1.24      
0.00      
0.00      
1.88      

1.89      
3.61      

8.0    $
9.6      

8.3      
9.6      

8.5      

8.5      
7.2    $

0.00 
0.00 

0.00 
0.00 

0.00 

0.00 
0.00 

  Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options is included in cost of revenues and operating 
expenses consistent with the respective employee salary costs. These costs totaled $164 and $76 for fiscal years 2016 and 
2015, respectively. As share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and 
comprehensive loss is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated pre-vesting 
forfeitures.  

If the non-vested stock options fully vest, they will result in future expense of $352 over a weighted-average 
remaining amortization period of 2.6 years. The total income tax benefit relating to stock options and recognized in the 
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss was $0 for both fiscal years 2016 and 2015.  

Restricted Stock Units  

As noted above, our 2007 Plan permits us to grant restricted stock units (RSUs), which entitle holders to receive 

shares of common stock upon vesting. During fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we did not grant any RSUs and there were no 
RSUs outstanding as of the end of fiscal years 2016 or 2015. 

7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS  

We have adopted a defined contribution plan for the benefit of our domestic employees who have met the eligibility 

requirements. The Learning Tree International 401(k) Plan (our “401(k) Plan”) is a profit-sharing plan qualifying under 
Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  

Qualified employees may elect to contribute to our 401(k) Plan on a pre-tax basis. The maximum amount of 
employee contribution is subject only to statutory limitations. We make contributions at a rate of 30% of the first 6% of 
employee compensation contributed. We contributed $241 and $40, net of forfeitures of $21 and $229, to our 401(k) Plan 
for fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively.  

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We have adopted or participate in country-sponsored defined contribution plans for the benefit of our employees of 
all of our foreign subsidiaries. Contributions to these plans are subject to tenure and compensation level criteria, as well as 
certain limitations. For fiscal years 2016 and 2015 our cost for these plans was approximately $376 and $470, respectively. 

8. LOSS PER SHARE  

Loss per share—basic is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock 

outstanding during the period. Loss per share—diluted includes the dilutive effect, if any, of nonvested restricted stock 
grants, nonvested restricted stock units and of outstanding options to purchase common stock, using the treasury stock 
method. For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, 850,000 and 250,000 stock options, respectively, were anti-dilutive and excluded 
from the loss per share—diluted calculation.   

 The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share:  

Numerator:  

Loss from continuing operations  
(Loss) income from discontinued operations  
Net (loss) income  

Denominator:  
Weighted average shares outstanding  

Basic  
Effect of dilutive securities  
Diluted  

(Loss) income per common share - basic and diluted:  

Continuing operations  
Discontinued operations  
Basic and diluted loss per common share  

9. OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION  

Fiscal Year Ended 

  September 30,
2016

   October 2, 

2015 

 $

 $

 $ 

 $

 $

 $

(12,696) $
0    
(12,696) $

(9,808)
(2,765)
(12,573)

13,224   $ 

0    
13,224   $

(0.96) $
0    
(0.96) $

13,224  
0  
13,224  

(0.74)
(0.21)
(0.95)

 Our worldwide operations involve the design and delivery of instructor-led classroom training courses and related 

services to business and government organizations. The training and education we offer is presented by our instructors in a 
virtually identical manner in every country in which we operate, regardless of whether presented in leased classroom space 
or external facilities, of the content of the class being taught, the language of the presentation or the printed course 
materials or of the location or method of distribution. We did not have sales to any one commercial customer or 
government agency that amounted to 10% or more of our revenues in fiscal years 2016 or 2015.    

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We conduct and manage our business globally, and our management makes financial decisions and allocates 
resources based on the information we receive from our internal management systems. Our reportable segments are: the 
United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Japan, which are reflected under continuing operations below. 
We also set forth a former reportable segment of the Company in France, which is reflected under discontinued operations 
below and discussed in more detail in Note 12 - Discontinued Operations. As a measure of segment performance, our Chief 
Operating Decision Maker reviews revenues and gross profit for each segment. Intersegment sales were $5,101 and $4,049 
in fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. Summarized financial information by reportable segment for fiscal years 2016 
and 2015, is as follows:  

Revenues:  

United States  
Canada  

North America  

United Kingdom  
Sweden  
Japan  

Continuing Operations  

France  

Discontinued Operations  
Total  

Gross profit:  

United States  
Canada  

North America  

United Kingdom  
Sweden  
Japan  

Continuing Operations  

France  

Discontinued Operations  
Total  

Depreciation and amortization:  

United States  
Canada  

North America  

United Kingdom  
Sweden  
Japan  

Continuing Operations  

France  

Discontinued Operations  
Total  

Fiscal Year Ended 

September 30, 
2016

October 2, 2015 

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

51,377     $
7,961      
59,338      
16,878      
3,069      
2,302      
81,587      
0      
0      
81,587     $

19,618    $
3,119     
22,737      
5,414      
1,625      
1,648      
31,424      
0      
0      
31,424     $

1,915     $
236      
2,151      
620      
56      
3      
2,830      
0      
0      
2,830     $

57,787  
8,752  
66,539  
22,151  
4,232  
1,962  
94,884  
3,336  
3,336  
98,220  

22,396  
4,401  
26,797  
8,422  
2,542  
1,314  
39,075  
1,289  
1,289  
40,364  

2,818  
330  
3,148  
1,020  
134  
16  
4,318  
191  
191  
4,509  

55

  
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
Total assets:  

United States  
Canada  

North America  

United Kingdom  
Sweden  
Japan  

Continuing Operations  

France  

Discontinued Operations  
Total  

Long-lived assets: 
United States  
Canada  

North America  

United Kingdom  
Sweden  
Japan  

Continuing Operations  

France  

Discontinued Operations  
Total  

Capital expenditures: 
United States  
Canada  

North America  

United Kingdom  
Sweden  
Japan  

Continuing Operations  

France  

Discontinued Operations  
Total  

Fiscal Year Ended 

September 30, 
2016

October 2, 2015 

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

  $

15,578     $
3,395      
18,973     
8,046      
2,688      
1,900      
31,621      
0      
0      
31,607     $

4,211     $
480      
4,691      
1,725      
119      
76      
6,611      
0      
0      
6,611     $

264     $
11      
275      
200      
0      
0      
475      
0      
0      
475     $

23,683  
3,729  
27,412  
11,789  
3,215  
1,505  
43,921  
0  
0  
43,921  

3,266  
707  
3,973  
2,532  
179  
67  
6,751  
0  
0  
6,751  

1,042  
669  
1,711  
360  
179  
5  
2,255  
5  
5  
2,260  

56

  
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
      
        
 
      
        
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
10. DEFERRED FACILITIES RENT AND OTHER  

The following tables show details of the following line items in our consolidated balance sheets.  

Current Portion of Deferred Facilities Rent and Other   

Deferred rent  
Capital lease  
Reston lease liability  
LA lease liability  

Noncurrent Portion of Deferred Facilities Rent and Other  

Deferred rent  
Capital Lease  
Reston lease liability  

Fiscal Year Ended

  September 30,     October 2, 

2016

2015 

  $

  $

529     $
81      
1,057      
0      
1,667     $

1,073   
0   
0   
328  
1,401   

Fiscal Year Ended

  September 30,     October 2, 

2016

2015 

  $

  $

3,808     $
386      
2,103      
6,297     $

2,575   
0   
0   
2,575   

11. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS  

Activity with respect to our provision for doubtful accounts is summarized as follows:    

Beginning balance  
Provision for doubtful accounts 
Charges against allowance 
Other 

Ending balance  

Fiscal Year Ended 

  September 30,     October 2, 

2016

2015 

  $

  $

160     $
391      
(10)   
1      
542     $

158  
63  
(64)
3  
160  

Activity with respect to our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is summarized as follows:   

Beginning balance  
Provisions 
Charges against allowance 
Ending balance  

Fiscal Year Ended 

  September 30,     October 2, 

2016

2015 

  $

  $

10,692     $
1,910      
0      
12,602     $

6,974  
3,718  
0  
10,692  

 Activity with respect to our lease liabilities is summarized as follows:   

Beginning balance  
Provisions 
Accretion  
Reston Town Center Deferred Rent  
Charges against allowance 
Ending balance  

Fiscal Year Ended 

  September 30,     October 2, 

2016

2015 

  $

  $

328     $
1,940      
23      
1,220      
(351)   
3,160     $

959  
30  

0  
(661)
328  

57

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
   
   
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
   
   
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
   
 
   
   
  
   
   
NOTE 12—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

On March 3, 2015, we entered into an Agreement (“Agreement”) to sell our subsidiary in France, LTRE (FR), to 

Educinvest for consideration of € 1 (One Euro). The sale transaction was consummated on the same date that the 
Agreement was signed by the parties. The purchase price was established in recognition of the potential liabilities being 
assumed by Educinvest related to continuation of the LTRE (FR) business. As part of the sale transaction, Learning Tree 
and Educinvest concurrently entered into a license agreement, dated March 3, 2015 (the “License Agreement”). After the 
closing of the sale transaction, we agreed to provide certain temporary services to Educinvest, including the use of its 
website and the operational systems in place for a period of two years after the closing date. In connection with the sale 
transaction, we also agreed that during the term of the License Agreement we will not, without the prior written consent of 
Educinvest, (i) establish a physical presence in mainland France in competition with the business of LTRE (FR) as carried 
on as of the closing of the sale transaction or (ii) solicit employees of LTRE (FR), except for persons responding to general 
recruitment advertisements not specifically targeting LTRE (FR).  

The sale of LTRE (FR) resulted in a loss of $2,501. This loss plus the results of operations for LTRE (FR) for the 

fiscal year ended October 2, 2015 have been reclassified to the loss from discontinued operations line on the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss presented herein. There were no assets or liabilities classified as 
discontinued operations as of September 30, 2016 and October 2, 2015, respectively.  

   The summarized operating results of LTRE (FR) included in our consolidated statement of operations is as follows:  

Revenues  
Cost of revenues  
Gross profit  
Operating expenses  
(Loss) income from operations  
Other (expense) income, net  
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes  
Income taxes  

Calculation of the loss on disposal of LTRE(FR): 
(in thousands) 

Investment in Learning Tree International S.A. 
Costs of sale 
Cumulative translation adjustment realized 
Loss on sale 

Fiscal Year Ended 
  September 30, 2016    October 2, 2015  
3,335  
0     $ 
  $
2,046  
0       
1,289  
0       
1,626  
0      
(337)
0       
(44)
0       
(381)
0       
(117)
0       
(264)
0     $ 

  $

October 2, 
2015 

  $

  $

1,324   
619   
558   
2,501   

58

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
   
  
      
  
   
   
  
  
13. RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITY  

In September 2016, we determined that 81% of our Reston Town Center facility in Reston, Virginia (RTC) was no 

longer needed to conduct our business and accordingly, we renewed efforts to sublease the surplus space at this facility. As 
such, we recorded a restructuring charge of $1.9 million for the estimated liability associated with future rentals of the 
surplus space due under the property lease as of the cease use date. The fair value of this liability at the cease use date was 
determined based on the remaining cash flows for lease rentals, and minimum lease payments, reduced by estimated 
sublease rentals, discounted using a credit adjusted risk free rate. As of September 30, 2016 we subleased 24% of the 
surplus space. 

Balance at October 2, 2015 

Additions: 
RTC cease-use charge 
RTC Deferred rent liability  
Accretion expense 

Reductions: 
Rent payments, net of deferred rent 

Facilities 

  $

328  

1,940  
1,220  
23  
3,183  

(351)
(351)

Balance at September 30, 2016 

  $

3,160  

As of September 30, 2016, such restructuring liability is recorded as part of Deferred Facilities Rent and Other in 

the consolidated balance sheet. 

14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS  

On January 12, 2017, the Company entered into a Financing and Security Agreement (the “Financing Agreement”) 

with Action Capital Corporation (“Action Capital”) that provides the Company with access to borrow through advances of 
funds of up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $3.0 million (the “Maximum Amount”). Pursuant to the 
Financing Agreement, the amount advanced to the Company will be based upon Action Capital’s agreed advance rate of up 
to 85% of the net amount of certain customer accounts receivable of the Company that are approved by Action Capital and 
assigned to it as collateral (the “Acceptable Accounts”). The Financing Agreement will continue to be in full force and 
effect until such time as either party terminates the Financing Agreement by providing written notice. Following 
termination the Company will remain liable for all outstanding indebtedness owed to Action Capital under the Financing 
Agreement.  

Under the Financing Agreement, the Company is required to pay Action Capital (i) interest on the outstanding 
advances at a rate equal to the prime rate of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in effect on the last business day of the prior month 
plus 1.75%, (ii) a monthly fee equal to 0.70% of the outstanding advances as of the last day of the month, and (iii) a fee of 
0.25% of the Maximum Amount, which is payable to Action Capital on the date the Financing Agreement is signed and 
every 90 days thereafter until the Financing Agreement is terminated and all amounts advanced and other obligations to 
Action Capital have been fully paid and satisfied. The Company’s obligations under the Financing Agreement are secured 
by Acceptable Accounts, accounts receivable due from U.S. based account debtors and any contract rights, chattel paper, 
documents, instruments, general intangibles (excluding general intangibles consisting of intellectual property or intellectual 
property rights), reserves, reserve accounts, deposit and demand accounts, rebates, and books and records pertaining to any 
Acceptable Accounts that are assigned to Action Capital and all proceeds of the foregoing property. 

We have determined that there are no other subsequent events that require disclosure. 

Item 9.             CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE  

Not Applicable.  

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Item  9A.        CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES  

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed 
in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time 
periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to 
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions 
regarding required disclosures.  

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term 
is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of September 30, 2016. Based on this evaluation, 
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were 
effective as of September 30, 2016.  

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting  

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate 

internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under Section 404 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our management is required to assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial 
reporting as of the end of each fiscal year and report, based on that assessment, whether our internal control over financial 
reporting is effective.  

Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external reporting purposes 
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Under the supervision and with the 
participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted a review, 
evaluation, and assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016, 
based upon the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  

Based on these review activities, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was 

effective as of September 30, 2016.  

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements 
should they occur. 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 or compliance with the control procedures 
may deteriorate. 

This Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal 
control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting 
firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Form 10-K.  

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting  

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) 

of the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to 
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  

Item  9B.         OTHER INFORMATION  

None  

60

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
PART III  

Item  10.          DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE  

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered 

to stockholders in connection with our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  

Item  11.          EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION  

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered 

to stockholders in connection with our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  

Item  12.          SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS  

The remaining information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be 

delivered to stockholders in connection with our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. 

Management of the Company knows of no arrangements, including any pledge by any person or securities of the 

Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the registrant.  

Item  13.          CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR 
INDEPENDENCE  

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered 

to stockholders in connection with our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  

Item  14.          PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES  

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered 

to stockholders in connection with our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.  

Item  15.          EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES  

(a) Financial Statements and Schedules  

PART IV  

The financial statements of Learning Tree International, Inc. as set forth under Item 8 are filed as part of this report.  

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are omitted because 

such schedules are not required under the related instructions, are not applicable or the required information is given in the 
consolidated financial statements.  

(b) Exhibits  

The exhibits set forth in the Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Form 10-K.  

61

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
SIGNATURES  

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the 
registrant, Learning Tree International, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, 
has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, 
in Herndon, Commonwealth of Virginia, on the 13th day of January 2017.  

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL, INC. 

By:  
Name:
Title: 

/s/ RICHARD SPIRES 
Richard Spires
Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this annual report on Form 10-K 

has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.  

Signature 

Title

Date

/s/ RICHARD SPIRES 
Richard Spires 

/s/ MAGNUS NYLUND 
Magnus Nylund 

/s/ DAVID W. ASAI 

David W. Asai 

/s/ DAVID C. COLLINS 
David C. Collins 

/s/ W. MATHEW JUECHTER 
W. Mathew Juechter 

/s/ HOWARD A. BAIN III 
Howard A. Bain III 

/s/ HENRI HODARA, PH.D. 
Henri Hodara, Ph.D. 

/s/ JOHN R. PHILLIPS, PH.D. 
John R. Phillips, Ph.D. 

/s/ MARY COLLINS 
Mary Collins 

Chief Executive Officer and Director     
(Principal Executive Officer) 

January 13, 2017 

Chief Operating Officer 

January 13, 2017 

Chief Financial Officer  
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal 
Accounting Officer) 

January 13, 2017 

Chairman of the Board 

January 13, 2017 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

January 13, 2017 

January 13, 2017 

January 13, 2017 

January 13, 2017 

January 13, 2017 

62

  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
EXHIBIT 
NUMBER     

DESCRIPTION  

EXHIBIT INDEX  

  3.1 

  Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed October 6, 
1995, as amended by Certificate of Amendment filed 
June 6, 1997, Certificate of Amendment filed January 
24, 2002, and Certificate of Amendment filed June 19, 
2007 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
October 2, 2009. 

  3.2 

  Bylaws of Registrant, as amended through October 7, 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

2015 

Report on Form 8-K filed October 9, 2015. 

  4.1 

  Form of Common Stock Certificate 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
October 2, 2009. 

10.1 

  Employment Agreement between Registrant and 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Richard A. Spires, dated October 7, 2015 ** 

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
October 2, 2015. 

10.2 

10.3 

  Amended and Restated Employment Agreement 
between Registrant and Max Shevitz, dated as of 
January 26, 2012, as amended on October 1, 2013** 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
September 27, 2013. 

  Form of Award Agreement for 200,000 and 100,000 
Non-Qualified Stock Options granted to Richard A. 
Spires on October 7, 2015 and October 26, 2015, 
respectively **  

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
October 2, 2015. 

10.4 

  Employment Agreement between Registrant and 
Magnus Nylund, dated as of October 1, 2005 ** 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed October 3, 2005. 

10.5 

  Employment Agreement between Registrant and David 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Asai, dated as of April 8, 2013** 

Report on Form 8-K filed April 9, 2013. 

10.6 

  2007 Equity Incentive Plan ** 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Definitive 
Proxy Statement Amendment #2 on Schedule 14A filed 
May 7, 2007. 

10.7 

  Amendment of 2007 Equity Incentive Plan adopted 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

December 30, 2009 ** 

Report on Form 8-K filed January 4, 2010. 

10.8 

  2007 Equity Incentive Plan Form of Restricted Stock 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s 

Award Agreement ** 

Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed January 9, 
2008. 

10.9 

  2007 Equity Incentive Plan Form of Stock Option 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s 

Award Agreement ** 

Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed January 9, 
2008. 

10.10 

  2007 Equity Incentive Plan Form of Stock Award 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Agreement ** 

Report on Form 8-K filed November 6, 2009. 

10.11 

  2007 Equity Incentive Plan Form of Stock Award 

Agreement ** 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 2, 
2010. 

63

  
  
  
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
  
    
    
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
  
10.12 

  Facility Lease Agreement between Learning Tree 
International Inc. and T.E.C. Leaseholds Limited 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly 

Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
December 30, 2005. 

10.13 

  Amendment of Facility Lease Agreement between 

Learning Tree International Inc. and TEC Leaseholds 
Limited effective January 6, 2010 

Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed April 9, 2010. 

10.14 

  Office Lease between Registrant and TrizecHahn One 

NY Plaza LLC 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 
2006. 

10.15 

  First Amendment to Leasing Agreement by and 

between Registrant and PRIM 1801 Rockville Pike, 
LLC 

Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed March 1, 2007. 

10.16 

  Lease Agreement (Deed of Lease) by and between 
Registrant and Carlyle-Lane-CFRI Venture II, LLC 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007. 

10.17 

  Lease Agreement between Registrant and 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Reston Town Center Property LLC 

Report on Form 8-K filed January 11, 2010 

10.18 

  Lease Agreement between Learning Tree International 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Limited and Postel Properties Limited 

Report on Form 8-K filed March 7, 2011. 

10.19 

  Form of Indemnification Agreement ** 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
October 1, 2004. 

10.20 

10.21 

  Lease among Laxton Properties Limited, Learning Tree 
International Limited, and Registrant for the ground and
basement floors of Euston House 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2012. 

  Lease among Laxton Properties Limited, Learning Tree 
International Limited, and Registrant for the first floor 
of Euston House 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2012. 

10.22 

  Lease among Laxton Properties Limited, Learning Tree 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current 

International Limited, and Registrant for the second 
floor of Euston House 

Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2012. 

10.23 

  Lease among Laxton Properties Limited, Learning Tree 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current 

International Limited, and Registrant for part of the 
sixth floor of Euston House 

Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2012. 

10.24 

  Surrender of a leasehold property among Laxton 
Properties Limited, Learning Tree International 
Limited, and Registrant 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2012. 

10.25 

   Employment Agreement between Registrant and 
Gregory L. Adams, dated November 6, 2014 ** 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current 

Report on Form 8-K filed November 7, 2014. 

10.26 

   2nd Lease and Storage Lease Amending and Extension 

Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2014, 
countersigned and effective as of May 7, 2014, by and 
between 160 Elgin Leaseholds, Inc. and Learning Tree 
International Inc. 

10.27 

Lease Agreement between Registrant and Vasakronan 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Quarterly 
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 28, 
2014. 

Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s 
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
June 27, 2014. 

64

  
  
   
      
     
 
   
     
     
   
     
     
 
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
     
     
   
      
     
   
      
     
   
     
     
   
  
10.28 

   Deed of Lease for the sale of Registrant’s 1831 Michael 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Faraday Drive, Reston, Virginia property 

Report on Form 10-K for the period ended October 3, 
2014. 

10.29 

   Termination of Rental Lease between Registrant and 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Förvaltningsbolaget Marievik HB 

Report filed on Form 8-K filed June 19, 2014. 

10.30 

   First Amendment To Amended and Restated 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s 

Employment Agreement between Registrant and Max 
Shevitz, dated February 1, 2016 ** 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
April 1, 2016. 

10.31 

   Employment Agreement between Registrant and Dr. 

  Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s 

David C. Collins, dated February 18, 2016 ** 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended 
April 1, 2016. 

10.32 

  Financing and Security Agreement between Learning 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Current 

Tree International, Inc. and Action Capital Corporation, 
dated January 12, 2017 

Report on Form 8-K filed January 13, 2017. 

  14 

  Code of Business Conduct and Ethics 

  Incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Annual 

Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
September 27, 2013. 

  21.1 

  Subsidiaries of the Registrant 

  Filed herewith. 

  23.1 

  Consent of BDO USA, LLP Independent Registered 

  Filed herewith. 

Public Accounting Firm 

  31.1 

  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief 

  Filed herewith. 

Executive Officer 

  31.2 

  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief 

  Filed herewith. 

Financial Officer 

  32.1 

  Section 1350 Certification by Principal Executive 

  Filed herewith. 

Officer 

  32.2 

  Section 1350 Certification by Chief Financial Officer 

  Filed herewith. 

101.INS 

  XBRL Instance Document 

  Filed herewith. 

101.SCH 

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 

  Filed herewith. 

101.CAL 

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 

  Filed herewith. 

101.DEF 

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 

  Filed herewith. 

Document 

101.LAB 

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document   Filed herewith. 

101.PRE 

  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 

  Filed herewith. 

Document 

**  This exhibit is a management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement. 

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TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS 

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

February 27, 2017

Since 1974, Learning Tree has set the world standard for effective IT and management training, and related workforce development 

Stock Listing

Learning Tree’s common stock is 
quoted for trading on the OTCQX U.S. 
Market, operated by OTC Markets, 
Inc., under the trading symbol of 
“LTRE.”

Investor Inquiries

Communications regarding investor 
records, including changes of  
address, or ownership and  
exchanges of common stock,  
should be directed to Learning Tree’s 
transfer agent, Computershare 
Investor Services.

Other inquiries should be directed to 
the Office of the Chief Financial Officer 
at our corporate headquarters. 

Legal Counsel

Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP 
2550 M Street NW 
Washington, DC 20037

Independent Registered  
Public Accounting Firm

BDO USA, LLP
8401 Greensboro Drive 
Suite 800 
McLean, VA 22102 

Stock Transfer Agent  
and Registrar

Computershare Investor Services 
P.O. Box 43078 
Providence, RI 02940-3078 
United States of America 
1-800-942-5909

Corporate Headquarters

13650 Dulles Technology Drive 
Suite 400 
Herndon, VA 20171-6156 
(703) 709-9119

Annual Meeting

April 14, 2017, 10:00 a.m. 
13650 Dulles Technology Drive
Suite 175
Herndon, VA 20171-6150 
(703) 709-9119

BOARD OF DIRECTORS  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Richard A. Spires
Chief Executive Officer

David Asai
Chief Financial Officer

Magnus Nylund
Chief Operating Officer

David C. Collins, Ph.D.
Cofounder and Chairman of the Board  
Learning Tree International

Henri Hodara, Ph.D.
President and Founder  
SymbiOptix, Inc.

W. Mathew Juechter
Former President and 
Chief Executive Officer 
IRA, Inc.

Former Chief Executive Officer 
ARC International. Wilson Learning

Howard A. Bain III
Former Chairman of the Board  
and Interim Chief Executive Officer 
Violin Memory

Former Chief Financial Officer 
Portal Software. Informix. Symantec

Mary C. Collins
Former Chief Administrative Officer  
and Corporate Secretary 
Learning Tree International

Former President and Founder  
L-3 PHOTONICS

Former President and Cofounder  
Tetra Tech, Inc.

John R. Phillips, Ph.D.
Founder  
Phillips Innovation Associates

Former Chief Scientist and Director 
for the Office of the Chief Scientist  
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

Richard A. Spires
Chief Executive Officer 
Learning Tree International 

Former Chief Information Officer 
U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Former Chief Information Officer 
and Deputy Commissioner 
Internal Revenue Service

services. More than 2.4 million Learning Tree course participants from over 69,000 organizations around the world have enhanced their 

skills under the guidance of our expert instructors.

MEETING OUR CUSTOMERS’ WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

Introduced IT Workforce Optimization Solutions

Organizations’ needs for training and professional development are evolving, and particularly so in the IT technical, analyst, and 

management disciplines. The investment in workforce must support improved outcomes, to include more successful project delivery, 

improved delivery processes and product quality, and ultimately improved business or mission outcomes. As such, our strategy has 

evolved to encompass three objectives:

1.   Offer a full range of Workforce Optimization Solutions that augment our traditional hands-on, instructor-led 

training capabilities. Our Workforce Optimization Solutions cover the life cycle of workforce development needs, from helping 

organizations define their organization structures, processes, and job roles; to assessing the current Knowledge, Skills, and 

Abilities (KSAs) of the staff; and to supporting the implementation of the means to enhance the KSAs through training, coaching, 

and mentoring of staff, along with supporting organizational process improvements. 

2.    Add e-Learning capabilities to our training solutions. Studies show that instructor-led training is still the best way to learn a 

subject area. Yet, self-directed e-Learning continues to grow, given the convenience and cost factors. Learning Tree believes that 

a “blended learning” approach, in which we work with an organization to harness the best of both instructor-led and e-learning 

is the most effective way to learn today. To that end, we work with our clients to develop customized e-Learning modules that 

are optimized to work with related instructor-led classes. We can extend this model and work with other e-Learning platform 

providers, tailoring our classes to maximize the effectiveness of a blended learning solution for our customers. 

3.   Provide a comprehensive suite of training courses to meet the needs of IT organizations. While Learning Tree continues 

to maintain and develop its own proprietary courseware, we cannot cover all topics and technologies that IT organizations need 

training on today. So, in addition to our own proprietary library of courses, we have begun to selectively broaden our course 

offerings by adding titles from certification organizations, hardware and software vendors, and from other training vendors. By 

providing a comprehensive suite of training courses to IT organizations, we are able to more effectively partner in providing the 

full complement of courses needed by our customers.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Learning Tree continues to augment and extend our capabilities to be a full-service provider in meeting our customers’ workforce 

development and enhancement needs. As always we ask to be judged by the quality of our courses & instructors and by our ability to  

help make a customer’s workforce more productive and effective, resulting in significantly improved business and mission outcomes.

Thank you for your continued trust and confidence.

Richard A. Spires

Chief Executive Officer

David C. Collins, Ph.D.

Cofounder and Chairman of the Board

This annual report and shareholder letter contains forward-looking statements that are subject to safe harbors under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 

amended. Statements that refer to our future financial performance, the actions we intend to take and the expected impact thereof, and other characterizations of the future events or circumstances are 

forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions, based on our current expectations about future events, and may not prove to be accurate. We do not undertake any obligation to update 

these forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring or circumstances arising after the date of this annual report. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and our actual results, 

performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements on the basis of several factors, including those that we discuss in the “Risk Factors” 

section and throughout our 2016 Form 10-K, which is included in this annual report. We encourage you to read that section carefully. 

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LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL’S
MISSION STATEMENT

Established in 1974, Learning Tree is a leading provider  
of IT and management training to business and government 

organizations worldwide.

We provide Workforce Optimization Solutions – a modern 
approach to delivering learning and development services that improves 

the adoption of skills, and accelerates the implementation of technical 

and business processes required to improve IT service delivery.

These workforce development services include: job roles and 
assessments, skill gaps analyses, blended learning solutions, as well as 

project and process implementation workshops.

Our expert instructors provide our course participants with real-world 
conceptual knowledge and practical skills that are reinforced through 

extensive hands-on exercises, as well as after-course benefits such as 
Computing Sandbox™ and Coaching.

We judge our success by the extent to which our clients perceive  
that Learning Tree has made a significant difference in their 

organization’s performance.

ANNUAL

REPORT

2016

Optimizing IT Workforce Performance

13650 Dulles Technology Drive, Suite 400 
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 709-9119  •  LearningTree.com

Training You Can Trust

GLOBAL LEADER IN  IT & MANAGEMENT TRAINING

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