Zovio (ZVOI) 10-Q2021 Q3 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

ZOVIO INC

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 ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐    No ☒

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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

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

1. Nature of Business

Zovio Inc (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation, and is an education technology services company that partners with higher education institutions and employers to deliver innovative, personalized solutions to help learners and leaders achieve their aspirations. In April 2019, the Company acquired both Fullstack Academy, Inc. (“Fullstack”) and TutorMe.com, Inc. (“TutorMe”), each of which became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company at that time. Fullstack is an innovative web development school offering immersive technology bootcamps, and TutorMe is an online education platform that provides 24/7 on-demand tutoring and online courses.

On December 1, 2020, the Company and AU LLC finalized a definitive Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company, AU LLC, the Arizona Board of Regents, a body corporate, for and on behalf of the University of Arizona (the “University of Arizona”), and the University of Arizona Global Campus, a newly formed Arizona nonprofit corporation (“Global Campus”). Upon the closing of the Purchase Agreement (the “Sale Transaction”), the Company and Ashford University (the “University”) transferred to Global Campus the tangible and intangible academic and related operations and assets comprising the University to Global Campus.

Following the closing of the Sale Transaction, Global Campus owns and operates the University in affiliation with the University of Arizona and with a focus on expanding access to education for non-traditional adult learners, and the Company provides services to Global Campus under a long-term Strategic Services Agreement (the “Services Agreement”). The services that the Company provides to Global Campus under the Services Agreement include recruiting, admissions, marketing, student finance, financial aid processing, and financial aid advising, program advising, student retention advising, support services for academics, information technology and institutional support.

The majority of the Company's cash comes from the Services Agreement with Global Campus. The service fees in the Services Agreement are subject to certain minimum residual liability adjustments, including performance-based adjustments, minimum profit level adjustments, and excess direct cost adjustments. These adjustments are all variable in nature in that they depend upon the Company’s performance during each service period, and to a certain extent the performance and forecast of Global Campus.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 24, 2021. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented.

Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for complete annual consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Notes Payable

The fair value of the Company’s outstanding notes payable was estimated using the net present value of the payments, discounted at an interest rate consistent with market interest rates. The Company, through Fullstack, had previously entered into a contract whereby its counterparty advanced funds to the Company for certain program development costs, which the Company was obligated to repay out of future revenues from the developed program. The Company originally recognized these advances as a debt obligation.

During the first half of 2021, the notes payable contract was amended and the amount was revalued. As such, included within the other income (loss), net, on the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, is an offset of interest expense in the amount of $3.1 million, as well as a loss on extinguishment of debt of $2.8 million, the net impact of which is immaterial.

Revenue and Other Revenue

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Determining whether a valid customer contract exists includes an assessment of whether amounts due under the contract are collectible. The Company performs this assessment at the beginning of every contract and subsequently thereafter if new information indicates there has been a significant change in facts and circumstances.

The Services Agreement has a single performance obligation, as the promises to provide the identified services are not distinct within the context of these agreements. The single performance obligation constitutes a series of distinct services as the customer benefits as services are provided. Service revenue is recognized over time using the input method. The input method provides a faithful depiction of the performance toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation and can be tied to the direct cost incurred. The service fees received over the term of the agreement are variable in nature in that they are dependent upon the number of students attending the university and revenues generated from those students during the service period. The service fees are subject to certain adjustments, including performance-based adjustments, minimum profit level adjustments, and excess direct cost adjustments. These adjustments are all variable in nature in that they depend upon the Company’s performance during each service period. Such adjustments are presented as minimum residual liability within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. For additional information, see Note 8, “Other Significant Balance Sheet Accounts - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities.” The Company allocates variable consideration to the distinct increments of service to which it relates, as the variability is directly related to the Company’s effort to satisfy the distinct increments of service provided. This is consistent with the allocation objective in ASC 606. The Company meets the criteria in the standard and exercises the practical expedient to not disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the single performance obligation that is unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period. The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations because the variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied promise to transfer a service that forms part of a single performance obligation.

The Company, through Fullstack, offers both full-time and part-time technology bootcamps. The tuition fees for these programs are recognized as revenue as the services are provided to the student, which occurs over the applicable period of instruction. For most Fullstack programs, tuition is collected prior to the start of the cohort; however, for certain programs students can defer payment until completion of the program and for these students an accounts receivable balance is recorded.

The Company, through TutorMe, provides online on-demand tutoring services through hourly and access license contracts. Revenue for these contracts are recognized based on hours used or ratably over the contract period depending on the type of contract. For most TutorMe contracts, cash is collected at or near the onset of the contract. The collected cash is recognized as deferred revenue until recognized into revenue.

Technology and Academic Services

Technology and academic services costs consist primarily of costs related to ongoing maintenance of educational infrastructure, including online course delivery and management, student records, assessment, customer relations management and other internal administrative systems. These costs were previously components of instructional costs and services, as well as general and administrative. This also includes costs to provide support for curriculum and new program development, support for faculty training and development and technical support. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, information technology costs, curriculum and new program development costs (which are expensed as incurred) and other costs associated with these support services. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, human resources, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services.

Counseling Services and Support

Counseling services and support costs consist primarily of costs including team-based counseling and other support to prospective and current students as well as financial aid processing. These costs were previously components of instructional costs and services, admissions advisory and marketing, as well as general and administrative. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, and other costs such as dues, fees and subscriptions and travel costs. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, human resources, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services.

Marketing and Communication

Marketing and communication costs consist primarily of lead acquisition, digital communication strategies, brand identity advertising, media planning and strategy, video, data science and analysis, marketing to potential students and other promotional and communication services. These costs were previously components of admissions advisory and marketing, as well as some general and administrative. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation for marketing and communication personnel, brand advertising, marketing leads and other promotional and communication expenses. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, human resources, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs consist primarily of compensation and benefit costs, including related stock-based compensation, for employees engaged in corporate management, finance, compliance, and other corporate functions. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, human resources, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services.

University-Related Expenses

University-related expenses represent those costs that were transferred to Global Campus in the Sale Transaction and that are no longer incurred by the Company. These costs were previously primarily components of instructional costs and services, with some costs from admissions advisory and marketing and some general and administrative, including instructor fees and other employee costs, student related bad debt expense, license fees for licenses transferred to Global Campus and other costs.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company has no components of other comprehensive income (loss), and therefore, comprehensive income (loss) equals net income (loss).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3. Financial Statement Reclassification

On December 1, 2020, the Company consummated the Sale Transaction. For additional information on the Sale Transaction, see Note 1, “Nature of Business” above. The Company now provides services to Global Campus, which include recruiting, financial aid, counseling, institutional support, information technology, and academic support services. The Company made changes in its presentation of revenue line items and operating expenses and reclassified prior periods to conform to the current presentation. The Company determined that these changes would provide more meaningful information as this new presentation provides transparency for costs that will be incurred as a service provider and costs that will not reoccur in the future as they are related to university costs that were transferred to Global Campus in the Sale Transaction.

We have reclassified our operating expenses for prior period to conform to the above disaggregation and revisions to our presentation. There were no changes to total operating expenses or operating income as a result of these reclassifications.

4. Revenue, Other Revenue and Deferred Revenue

The Company operates under 2 reportable segments and has no foreign operations or assets located outside of the United States. For additional information on segmentation, see Note 16, “Segment Information.”

For further information on receivables, refer to Note 7, “Accounts Receivable, Net” within the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Deferred revenue consists of cash payments that are received or due in advance of the Company’s performance. As of September 30, 2021 the deferred revenue balance relates entirely to the Zovio Growth segment. For the majority of the Company’s customers, payment for services is due prior to services being provided and is included in current deferred revenue. However, there are contracts which include deferred revenue that is deemed to be long-term. For additional information, refer to Note 8, “Other Significant Balance Sheet Accounts - Other Long-Term Liabilities” within the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The difference between the opening and closing balances of deferred revenue primarily results from the timing difference between the Company’s performance and the customer’s payment. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized $6.4 million of revenue that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized $23.3 million of revenue that was included in the deferred revenue balance as of January 1, 2020. Amounts reported in the closing balance of deferred revenue are expected to be recognized as revenue within the next 12 months.

5. Restructuring and Impairment Expense

During the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of restructuring and impairment expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $2.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of restructuring and impairment expense. The components of these expenses are further described below.

The Company had previously vacated or consolidated properties and subsequently reassessed its non-cancelable leases obligation. Additionally, the Company had previously relocated its headquarters from California to Arizona. As a result, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized relocation and lease reassessment expenses of $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively. NaN such expense was recorded for either the three or nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

In May and July 2021, the Company implemented restructuring plans to reduce operating expenses, implement cost reductions and conserve cash resources. During the three months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized severance costs of $0.3 million, all of which related to the University Partners segment. These restructuring charges consist of one-time termination benefits for employee severance, benefits and related costs, all of which are expected to result in cash expenditures and substantially all of which will be paid out over the next 12 months. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company reversed $0.1 million of restructuring and impairment expense relating to severance costs for wages and

The restructuring liability amounts are recorded within either the (i) accounts payable and accrued liabilities account or (ii) lease liability account on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

6. Fair Value Measurements

The mutual funds in the tables above, represent the deferred compensation asset balances, which are considered to be trading securities. The Company’s deferred compensation asset balances are recorded in the investments line item on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, and are classified as Level 1 securities. There were no transfers between any level categories for investments during the periods presented.

There were no differences between amortized cost and fair value of investments as of September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020, and no reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income during either the nine months ended September 30, 2021 or 2020.

7. Accounts Receivable, Net

8. Other Significant Balance Sheet Accounts

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Property and Equipment, Net

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net

For the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, amortization expense was $0.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, amortization expense was $2.4 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Other Long-Term Liabilities

9. Credit Facilities

The Company has issued letters of credit that are collateralized with cash, in the aggregate amount of $9.8 million as of September 30, 2021. The letters of credit relate primarily to the Company's leased facilities and insurance requirements. The collateralized cash is held in restricted cash on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.

10. Lease Obligations

11. Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.

Diluted income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders for the period by the sum of (i) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, plus (ii) potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, if the effect is dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities for the periods presented include stock options, unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and unvested performance stock units (“PSUs”).

12. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recorded $1.0 million and $1.1 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The related income tax benefit was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company recorded $3.6 million and $6.1 million of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The related income tax benefit was $0.9 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company granted 1.1 million RSUs at a weighted average grant date fair value of $3.31 and 1.0 million RSUs vested. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted 1.4 million RSUs at a grant date fair value of $2.22, and 0.8 million RSUs vested.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company granted 0.9 million performance-based PSUs at a weighted average grant date fair value of 2.72, and no performance-based or market-based PSUs vested. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, 1.1 million market-based PSUs were granted at a weighted average grant date fair value of 2.18 and no performance-based or market-based PSUs vested.

During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, the Company did not grant any stock options and no stock options were exercised.

As of September 30, 2021, unrecognized compensation cost was $5.4 million related to unvested stock options, RSUs and PSUs.

13. Income Taxes

As of both September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the Company had $19 thousand, respectively, of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $15 thousand, respectively, would impact the effective income tax rate if recognized. Although the Company believes the tax accruals provided are reasonable, the final determination of tax returns under review or returns that may be reviewed in the future and any related litigation could result in tax liabilities that materially differ from the Company’s historical income tax provisions and accruals.

The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The tax years 2001 through 2020 are open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

14. Regulatory

The Company is subject to extensive regulation by federal and state governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“Higher Education Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of Education (“Department”) subject the Company and its university partners to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that institutions of higher education must satisfy in order to participate in the various federal student financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (“Title IV programs”).

Department of Education On-Site Program Review of former Ashford University

In December 2016, the Department informed the University that it intended to continue the on-site program review, which commenced in January 2017 and initially covered the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 award years, but may be expanded if the Department deems such expansion appropriate. To date, the Company has not received a draft report from the Department.

Department of Education Close Out Audit of University of the Rockies

The Company previously recorded an expense of $1.5 million during the fiscal year 2018, in relation to the close out audit of University of the Rockies resulting from its merger with the University in October 2018. The expense was recorded in relation to borrower defense to repayment regulations. On September 26, 2019, the Department sent the University a Final Audit Determination letter for the University of the Rockies. This letter confirmed that with the exception of the borrower defense to repayment regulations, none of the other audit findings resulted in financial liability. The Department also stated that additional liabilities could accrue in the future. On December 19, 2019, the Company filed an administrative appeal with the Department appealing the alleged liability on the basis that the University of Rockies did not close but rather merged with the University. The briefing on the appeal is complete and the Company is awaiting a decision by the administrative law judge.

WSCUC Accreditation of former Ashford University

Global Campus is regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (“WSCUC”). As part of the WSCUC Institutional Review Process, a Reaffirmation of Accreditation Visit was conducted by an evaluation team in April 2019. At its meeting in June 2019, the Commission acted to reaffirm accreditation through Spring 2025.

On November 12, 2020, WSCUC approved the change of control application filed to complete the Sale Transaction, subject to certain conditions. These conditions included (i) ensuring that Global Campus is differentiated effectively from the University of Arizona and its affiliates in marketing materials; (ii) providing a report to WSCUC within 90 days of the close of the transaction outlining the actionable steps it will take to address student success including in the form of retention and graduation; (iii) those officers, administrators and related parties who become Global Campus officers or administrators divest themselves of their financial and ownership interest in the Company; and (iv) Global Campus and the Company submit a revised strategic services agreement which incorporates any applicable key performance indicators into that agreement. Additionally, WSCUC notified Global Campus that the provisions of the Notice of Concern issued as part of the reaffirmation of the University in July 2019 remain in effect.

Department of Education Regulation

To be eligible to participate in Title IV programs, an institution must comply with the Higher Education Act and the regulations thereunder that are administered by the Department. The provisions of the Higher Education Act also include being in compliance with the following:

Defense to Repayment

On October 28, 2016, the Department published borrower defense to repayment regulations to change processes that assist students in gaining relief under certain provisions of the Direct Loan Program regulations. These defense to repayment regulations allow a borrower to assert a defense to repayment on the basis of a substantial misrepresentation, any other misrepresentation in cases where certain other factors are present, a breach of contract or a favorable nondefault contested judgment against a school for its act or omission relating to the making of the borrower’s loan or the provision of educational services for which the loan was provided. In addition, the financial responsibility standards contained in the new regulations establish the conditions or events that trigger the requirement for an institution to provide the Department with financial protection in the form of a letter of credit or other security against potential institutional liabilities. Triggering conditions or events include, among others, certain state, federal or accrediting agency actions or investigations, and in the case of publicly traded companies, receipt of certain warnings from the SEC or the applicable stock exchange, or the failure to timely file a required annual or quarterly report with the SEC. The new regulations also prohibit schools from requiring that students agree to settle future disputes through arbitration.

On March 15, 2019, the Department issued guidance for the implementation of parts of the regulations. The guidance covers an institution’s responsibility in regard to reporting mandatory and discretionary triggers as part of the financial responsibility standards, class action bans and pre-dispute arbitration agreements, submission of arbitral and judicial records, and repayment rates.

On August 30, 2019, the Department finalized the regulations derived from the 2017-2018 negotiated rulemaking process and subsequent public comments. This version of the borrower defense regulations applies to all federal student loans made on or after July 1, 2020, and, among other things: grants borrowers the right to assert borrower defense to repayment claims against institutions, regardless of whether the loan is in default or in collection proceedings; allows borrowers to file defense to repayment claims three years from either the student’s date of graduation or withdrawal from the institution; and gives students the ability to allege a specific amount of financial harm and to obtain relief in an amount determined by the Department, which may be greater or lesser than their original claim amount. It also includes financial triggers and other factors for recalculating an institution’s financial responsibility composite score that differ from those in the 2016 regulations.

On March 18, 2021, the Department announced it would adopt a streamlined approach for granting full debt relief to borrowers reversing the methodology first announced in December 2019 that allowed for partial student loan cancellation for borrowers. The Department determined that the previous methodology did not result in an appropriate relief determination.

In July 2020, the Department notified the Company that they would be initiating a preliminary review of borrower defense applications from borrowers who made claims regarding the University. As part of the initial fact-finding process, the Department will send individual student claims to the University and allow the institution the opportunity to submit a response to the borrower’s allegations. In 2020, the Company received and timely responded to the submitted claims. The Company has responded to everything received and cannot predict the outcome of this the Department's review at this time.

15. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

From time to time, the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. In accordance with GAAP, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated, the best estimate within that range should be accrued. If no estimate is better than another, the Company records the minimum estimated liability in the range. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved could be material. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to the Company’s pending litigation and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. Other than the specific liabilities assumed by Global Campus, the Company and AU LLC will generally remain responsible for liabilities of the University relating to periods prior to the closing of the Sale Transaction. Below is a list of material legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party.

California Attorney General Investigation of For-Profit Educational Institutions

In January 2013, the Company received from the Attorney General of the State of California (“CA Attorney General”) an Investigative Subpoena relating to the CA Attorney General’s investigation of for-profit educational institutions. Pursuant to the Investigative Subpoena, the CA Attorney General requested documents and detailed information for the time period March 1, 2009 to the date of the Investigative Subpoena. On July 24, 2013, the CA Attorney General filed a petition to enforce certain categories of the Investigative Subpoena related to recorded calls and electronic marketing data. On September 25, 2013, the Company reached an agreement with the CA Attorney General to produce certain categories of the documents requested in the petition and stipulated to continue the hearing on the petition to enforce from October 3, 2013 to January 9, 2014. On January 13, 2014 and June 19, 2014, the Company received additional Investigative Subpoenas from the CA Attorney General, each requesting additional documents and information for the time period March 1, 2009 through each such date.

Representatives from the Company met with representatives from the CA Attorney General’s office on several occasions to discuss the status of the investigation, additional information requests, and specific concerns related to possible unfair business practices in connection with the Company’s recruitment of students and debt collection practices. The parties also discussed a potential resolution involving injunctive relief, other non-monetary remedies and a payment to the CA Attorney General and in the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an expense of $8.0 million related to the cost of resolving this matter.

The parties did not reach a resolution and on November 29, 2017, the CA Attorney General filed suit against Ashford and the Company. The Company intends to vigorously defend this case and emphatically denies the allegations made by the CA Attorney General that it ever deliberately misled its students, falsely advertised its programs, or in any way was not fully accurate in its statements to investors. A bench trial for this matter is scheduled to begin in November 2021. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter at this time. The Company cannot reasonably estimate any updated range of loss for this action based on currently available information and as such, the prior accrual of $8.0 million remains and is recorded on the accounts payable and accrued liabilities line item on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

16. Segment Information

Prior to December 1, 2020, the Company operated in one segment for reporting purposes. Following the Sale Transaction, the Company now operates in 2 reportable segments: University Partners and Zovio Growth. These segments were recast based upon the Company’s respective offerings.

On December 1, 2020, the Company consummated the Sale Transaction. For additional information see Note 1, “Nature of Business.” The Company reports segment information based upon the management approach, and the Sale Transaction resulted in a change in how the chief operating decision maker viewed the operations moving forward. This change included the creation of three operating segments: Fullstack, TutorMe, and Zovio, and two reportable segments: University Partners and Zovio Growth.

The Company’s University Partners segment includes the technology and services provided to colleges and universities to enable the online delivery of degree programs and related goods and services. University Partners also includes the tuition revenue related to the University prior to the Sale Transaction on December 1, 2020.

Segment Performance

During both the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, Global Campus accounted for the entire amount of the University Partners segment revenue, respectively.

During both the nine months ended September 30, 2021 or 2020, there were no customers or individual university clients which accounted for 10% or more of the Zovio Growth segment revenue.

As of each September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the University Partners accounts receivable balance was immaterial. As of each September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no individual partners or customers which accounted for 10% or more of the Zovio Growth accounts receivable balance, as customers are individual students or third parties paying on their behalf, rather than university clients.

The Company’s goodwill amounts as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, are fully attributable to the Zovio Growth segment. For additional information on goodwill, see Note 8, “Other Significant Balance Sheet Accounts - Goodwill and intangibles, net.”

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) 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”). All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, among others, statements regarding future events, future financial and operating results, strategies, expectations, the competitive environment, regulation and the availability of financial resources, including, without limitation, statements regarding:

Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in the future tense.

Forward-looking statements should not be interpreted as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved, if at all. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time such statements are made and the current good faith beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management regarding future events. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of these risks and uncertainties, see Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” as well as the discussion of such risks and uncertainties contained in our other filings with the SEC, including the Form 10-K.

All forward-looking statements in this report are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included herein, and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect actual results or any changes in our assumptions or expectations or any other factors affecting such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update or revise one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Overview

Zovio Inc is an education technology services company that partners with higher education institutions and employers to deliver a suite of innovative, personalized solutions and learning experiences to help learners and leaders achieve their aspirations and help institutions grow. Zovio’s expertise across academic disciplines, credential levels, learning experiences, and modalities has powered student and partner success through a tailored, customer-focused approach bolstered by data analytics. The Company provides student recruitment and enrollment systems, retention strategies, educational tools and curriculums.

In April 2019, the Company acquired both Fullstack Academy, Inc (“Fullstack”) and TutorMe.com, Inc. (“TutorMe”), each of which became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company. Fullstack is an innovative web development school offering immersive technology bootcamps, and TutorMe is an online education platform that provides 24/7 on-demand tutoring and online courses. Fullstack and TutorMe are both contributors to Zovio's strategy of becoming a best-in-class education technology services company.

Revenue and other revenue

Costs and expenses

Technology and academic services costs consist primarily of costs related to ongoing maintenance of educational infrastructure, including online course delivery and management, student records, assessment, customer relations management and other internal administrative systems. This also includes costs to provide support for curriculum and new program development, support for faculty training and development and technical support. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, information technology costs, curriculum and new program development costs (which are expensed as incurred) and other costs associated with these support services. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services.

Counseling services and support costs consist primarily of costs including team-based counseling and other support to prospective and current students as well as financial aid processing. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation, and other costs such as dues, fees and subscriptions and travel costs. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services.

Marketing and communication costs consist primarily of lead acquisition, digital communication strategies, brand identity advertising, media planning and strategy, video, data science and analysis, marketing to potential students and other promotional and communication services. This category was primarily from our historical captions of advertising and marketing and promotional. This expense category includes salaries, benefits and share-based compensation for marketing and communication personnel, brand advertising, marketing leads and other promotional and communication expenses. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

General and administrative costs consist primarily of compensation and benefit costs (including related stock-based compensation) for employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, compliance, and other corporate functions. This category also includes an allocation of depreciation, amortization, rent, and occupancy costs attributable to the provision of these services.

University-related expenses represent those costs that were transferred to Global Campus in the Sale Transaction and that are no longer incurred by the Company. These costs were previously primarily components of instructional costs and services, with some costs from admissions advisory and marketing and some general and administrative.

Restructuring and impairment expenses have historically been primarily comprised of (i) charges related to the write off and impairment of certain assets, (ii) severance costs related to headcount reductions made in connection with restructuring plans and (iii) estimated lease losses related to facilities vacated or consolidated under restructuring plans.

We believe the following factors have had, or can be expected to have, a significant effect on the comparability of recent or future results of operations:

Sale transaction

The results of operations prior to December 1, 2020 are not comparable to those following that date. On December 1, 2020, the Company entered into the Services Agreement with Global Campus whereby the Company will provide certain educational technology and support services. On December 1, 2020, the Company also entered into the Transition Services Agreement with Global Campus whereby the Company will provide certain temporary transition services. Subsequent to December 1, 2020, revenue is primarily derived from service revenue from our university partners.

Cost reductions

We took actions in May and July to reduce our cost structure to more appropriately align it with both our revenue expectations and the nature of our business following the Sale Transaction. As we moved through the year, our enrollment began to stabilize at levels slightly lower than anticipated, causing us to further reduce our planned spending. Our total year-to-date cost reduction efforts will yield approximately $60 million in annualized savings going forward, when compared to planned spending levels.

Seasonality

Our operations are generally subject to seasonal trends. Our university partners generally experience higher new enrollments during the first quarter of each year, following a holiday break, as well as during the third quarter each year, when most other colleges and universities begin their fall semesters. While our university partners enroll students throughout the year, fourth quarter revenue is generally lower than other quarters due to the holiday break in December, with an increase in the first quarter of each year.

Trends and uncertainties regarding continuing operations

We recognize deferred tax assets if realization of such assets is more-likely-than-not. In order to make this determination, we evaluate factors including the ability to generate future taxable income from reversing taxable temporary differences, forecasts of financial and taxable income or loss. The cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ended September 30, 2021 constituted significant negative objective evidence against our ability to realize a benefit from our federal deferred tax assets. Such objective evidence limited our ability to consider in our evaluation other subjective evidence such as our projections for future growth. On the basis of our evaluation, we determined that our deferred tax assets were not more-likely-than-not to be realized and that a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets should continue to be maintained as of September 30, 2021.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The critical accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates” included in Part II, Item 7 of the Form 10-K.

There were no material changes to these critical accounting policies and estimates during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Results of Operations