10-Q 1 payx-022815x10q3fy15.htm 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended February 28, 2015
Commission file number 0-11330

PAYCHEX, INC.

911 Panorama Trail South
Rochester, New York 14625-2396
(585) 385-6666
A Delaware Corporation
IRS Employer Identification Number: 16-1124166

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 ý 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 ý No ¨
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 | ý | Accelerated filer | ¨
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value |  | 363,228,330 | Shares
CLASS |  | OUTSTANDING AS OF | February 28, 2015

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
PAYCHEX, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
In millions, except per share amounts

| For the three months ended February 28, |  | For the nine months ended February 28,
| 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Revenue: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service revenue | $ | 693.6 |  |  | $ | 639.9 |  |  | $ | 2,016.1 |  |  | $ | 1,849.4 |
Interest on funds held for clients | 10.7 |  |  | 10.5 |  |  | 31.3 |  |  | 30.5 |
Total revenue | 704.3 |  |  | 650.4 |  |  | 2,047.4 |  |  | 1,879.9 |
Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating expenses | 211.0 |  |  | 191.0 |  |  | 604.4 |  |  | 534.5 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 229.0 |  |  | 208.7 |  |  | 641.0 |  |  | 591.0 |
Total expenses | 440.0 |  |  | 399.7 |  |  | 1,245.4 |  |  | 1,125.5 |
Operating income | 264.3 |  |  | 250.7 |  |  | 802.0 |  |  | 754.4 |
Investment income, net | 1.6 |  |  | 1.5 |  |  | 4.4 |  |  | 4.0 |
Income before income taxes | 265.9 |  |  | 252.2 |  |  | 806.4 |  |  | 758.4 |
Income taxes | 96.5 |  |  | 92.1 |  |  | 292.7 |  |  | 276.8 |
Net income | 169.4 |  |  | 160.1 |  |  | 513.7 |  |  | 481.6 |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized (losses)/gains on securities, net of tax | (0.6 | ) |  | 10.9 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 2.6 |
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax | (0.6 | ) |  | 10.9 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 2.6 |
Comprehensive income | $ | 168.8 |  |  | $ | 171.0 |  |  | $ | 514.0 |  |  | $ | 484.2 |
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.47 |  |  | $ | 0.44 |  |  | $ | 1.41 |  |  | $ | 1.32 |
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.46 |  |  | $ | 0.44 |  |  | $ | 1.41 |  |  | $ | 1.31 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 363.2 |  |  | 364.2 |  |  | 363.1 |  |  | 364.8 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution | 365.0 |  |  | 365.8 |  |  | 364.8 |  |  | 366.3 |
Cash dividends per common share | $ | 0.38 |  |  | $ | 0.35 |  |  | $ | 1.14 |  |  | $ | 1.05 |

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
1

PAYCHEX, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
In millions, except per share amount

| February 28, 2015 |  | May 31, 2014
ASSETS |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 265.3 |  |  | $ | 152.5 |
Corporate investments | 355.5 |  |  | 398.7 |
Interest receivable | 32.2 |  |  | 36.3 |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts | 148.4 |  |  | 149.4 |
Deferred income taxes | 11.2 |  |  | 12.0 |
Prepaid income taxes | — |  |  | 17.2 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 54.0 |  |  | 37.8 |
Current assets before funds held for clients | 866.6 |  |  | 803.9 |
Funds held for clients | 5,090.8 |  |  | 4,198.6 |
Total current assets | 5,957.4 |  |  | 5,002.5 |
Long-term corporate investments | 408.6 |  |  | 385.6 |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 347.7 |  |  | 342.2 |
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | 35.6 |  |  | 40.6 |
Goodwill | 563.8 |  |  | 540.3 |
Deferred income taxes | — |  |  | 37.1 |
Other long-term assets | 31.1 |  |  | 21.8 |
Total assets | $ | 7,344.2 |  |  | $ | 6,370.1 |
LIABILITIES |  |  |
Accounts payable | $ | 40.1 |  |  | $ | 48.8 |
Accrued compensation and related items | 186.0 |  |  | 171.7 |
Accrued income taxes | 10.8 |  |  | — |
Deferred income taxes | — |  |  | 6.6 |
Other current liabilities | 52.2 |  |  | 44.7 |
Current liabilities before client fund obligations | 289.1 |  |  | 271.8 |
Client fund obligations | 5,058.9 |  |  | 4,167.1 |
Total current liabilities | 5,348.0 |  |  | 4,438.9 |
Accrued income taxes | 43.7 |  |  | 41.9 |
Deferred income taxes | 17.6 |  |  | 55.7 |
Other long-term liabilities | 62.9 |  |  | 56.6 |
Total liabilities | 5,472.2 |  |  | 4,593.1 |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES – NOTE I |  |  |  |  |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |  |  |
Common stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized: 600.0 shares; Issued and outstanding: 363.2 shares as of February 28, 2015 and 363.0 shares as of May 31, 2014, respectively. | 3.6 |  |  | 3.6 |
Additional paid-in capital | 868.3 |  |  | 794.4 |
Retained earnings | 978.3 |  |  | 957.5 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 21.8 |  |  | 21.5 |
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,872.0 |  |  | 1,777.0 |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 7,344.2 |  |  | $ | 6,370.1 |

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2

PAYCHEX, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
In millions

| For the nine months ended February 28,
| 2015 |  | 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |  |  |
Net income | $ | 513.7 |  |  | $ | 481.6 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and intangible assets | 79.1 |  |  | 76.7 |
Amortization of premiums and discounts on available-for-sale securities, net | 56.9 |  |  | 52.3 |
Stock-based compensation costs | 24.0 |  |  | 21.7 |
Benefit from deferred income taxes | (12.8 | ) |  | (7.1 | )
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts | 1.0 |  |  | 1.7 |
Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities | (0.2 | ) |  | (0.5 | )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |  |  |
Interest receivable | 4.1 |  |  | 3.0 |
Accounts receivable | 0.5 |  |  | 2.4 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1.2 |  |  | 36.6 |
Accounts payable and other current liabilities | 28.2 |  |  | 30.2 |
Net change in other assets and liabilities | (2.9 | ) |  | 7.2 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 692.8 |  |  | 705.8 |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES |  |  |
Purchases of available-for-sale securities | (23,544.9 | ) |  | (21,163.4 | )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities | 23,697.6 |  |  | 21,718.0 |
Net change in funds held for clients’ money market securities and other cash equivalents | (1,078.6 | ) |  | (1,369.6 | )
Purchases of property and equipment | (72.0 | ) |  | (62.8 | )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | (27.1 | ) |  | (9.3 | )
Purchases of other assets | (2.2 | ) |  | (7.1 | )
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,027.2 | ) |  | (894.2 | )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES |  |  |
Net change in client fund obligations | 891.8 |  |  | 841.0 |
Dividends paid | (414.4 | ) |  | (383.4 | )
Repurchases of common shares | (70.4 | ) |  | (203.0 | )
Equity activity related to stock-based awards | 40.2 |  |  | 97.8 |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 447.2 |  |  | 352.4 |
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 112.8 |  |  | 164.0 |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 152.5 |  |  | 107.3 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 265.3 |  |  | $ | 271.3 |

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3

PAYCHEX, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
February 28, 2015
Note A: Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Significant Accounting Policies
Description of business: Paychex, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Paychex”) is a leading provider of payroll, human resource, insurance, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses in the United States (“U.S.”). The Company also has operations in Germany.
Paychex, a Delaware corporation formed in 1979, reports as one segment. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is generated within the U.S. The Company also generates revenue within Germany, which represented less than one percent of the Company's total revenue for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014. Long-lived assets in Germany are insignificant in relation to total long-lived assets of the Company as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014. In addition, the Company has an equity method investment for a joint-venture in Brazil and a minority investment in a Canadian entity, neither of which is significant.
Basis of presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of the Company with all significant intercompany transactions eliminated. In the opinion of management, the information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature), which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) as of and for the year ended May 31, 2014 (“fiscal 2014”). Operating results and cash flows for the nine months ended February 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or the full fiscal year ending May 31, 2015 (“fiscal 2015”). The Company has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date of issuance of these financial statements.
PEO insurance services: As part of the professional employer organization (“PEO”), the Company offers workers' compensation insurance and health insurance to client companies for the benefit of client employees. For workers' compensation insurance, reserves are established to provide for the estimated costs of paying claims underwritten by the Company. The Company’s maximum individual claims liability is $1.0 million under both its fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 policies.
Under the minimum premium plan health insurance offering within the PEO, the Company's health benefits insurance reserves are established to provide for the payment of claims liability charges in accordance with its service contract with the carrier. The Company's maximum individual claims liability is $0.3 million under both its calendar 2015 and 2014 policies. Amounts accrued related to health benefits insurance reserves are considered immaterial as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014.
Estimating the ultimate cost of future claims is an uncertain and complex process based upon historical loss experience and actuarial loss projections, and is subject to change due to multiple factors, including economic trends, changes in legal liability law, and damage awards, all of which could materially impact the reserves as reported in the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, final claim settlements may vary from the present estimates, particularly with workers' compensation insurance where those payments may not occur until well into the future. The Company regularly reviews the adequacy of its estimated insurance reserves. Adjustments to previously established reserves are reflected in the results of operations for the period in which the adjustment is identified. Such adjustments could be significant, reflecting any combination of new and adverse or favorable trends.
Stock-based compensation costs: The Company has issued stock-based awards to employees and directors consisting of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance shares, and performance stock options. The Company accounts for all stock-based awards to employees and directors as compensation costs in the consolidated financial statements based on the fair value measured as of the date of grant. These costs are recognized over the requisite service period. Stock-based compensation costs recognized were $8.6 million and $24.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 as compared with $7.1 million and $21.7 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014. The methods and assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of stock-based awards are consistent with those described in the Company’s fiscal 2014 Form 10-K.
4

Note A: Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Significant Accounting Policies — continued
Reclassifications: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation and had no effect on reported consolidated earnings. The three and nine months ended February 28, 2014 reflected an immaterial change in classification between categories on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income to be consistent with current year presentation, and had no impact on operating income. Other immaterial prior period reclassifications were between categories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for purposes of comparability.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements: In November 2014, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-17, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Pushdown Accounting (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” This guidance provides the option for an acquired entity to apply pushdown accounting in its separately issued financial statements when a change-in-control event occurs. This guidance was effective for change-in-control events after November 18, 2014. Adoption of this guidance did not have any effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the Company adopted FASB ASU 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” This ASU provides explicit guidance regarding the presentation in the statement of financial position of an unrecognized tax benefit when net operating losses or tax credit carryforwards exist. It was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Adoption of this guidance did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements: In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02 “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” This guidance focuses on a reporting company’s consolidation evaluation to determine whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is applicable to the Company's fiscal year beginning June 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance, but does not anticipate it will have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01 “Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) - Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items.” This guidance eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items and is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, and is applicable to the Company's fiscal year beginning June 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate it will have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” This guidance requires a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period to be treated as a performance condition. The current accounting standard for stock-based compensation as it applies to awards with performance conditions should be applied. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, including interim reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, and is applicable to the Company's fiscal year beginning June 1, 2016. The Company does not anticipate this guidance will have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This guidance supersedes current guidance on revenue recognition in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.” In addition, there are disclosure requirements related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue recognition. This guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods, and will be required to be applied retrospectively. Early application of the guidance is not permitted. This guidance is applicable to the Company's fiscal year beginning June 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and any potential impact to its consolidated financial statements.
Other recent authoritative guidance issued by the FASB (including technical corrections to the Accounting Standards Codification), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not, or are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
5

Note B: Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:

| For the three months ended February 28, |  | For the nine months ended February 28,
In millions, except per share amounts | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Basic earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income | $ | 169.4 |  |  | $ | 160.1 |  |  | $ | 513.7 |  |  | $ | 481.6 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 363.2 |  |  | 364.2 |  |  | 363.1 |  |  | 364.8 |
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.47 |  |  | $ | 0.44 |  |  | $ | 1.41 |  |  | $ | 1.32 |
Diluted earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income | $ | 169.4 |  |  | $ | 160.1 |  |  | $ | 513.7 |  |  | $ | 481.6 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 363.2 |  |  | 364.2 |  |  | 363.1 |  |  | 364.8 |
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents | 1.8 |  |  | 1.6 |  |  | 1.7 |  |  | 1.5 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution | 365.0 |  |  | 365.8 |  |  | 364.8 |  |  | 366.3 |
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.46 |  |  | $ | 0.44 |  |  | $ | 1.41 |  |  | $ | 1.31 |
Weighted-average anti-dilutive common share equivalents | — |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | 0.6 |

Weighted-average common share equivalents that have an anti-dilutive impact are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
For both the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, 0.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock were issued in connection with the exercise or vesting of stock-based awards. For the nine months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, 1.9 million and 3.3 million shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock were issued in connection with the exercise or vesting of stock-based awards.
In May 2014, the Company announced its program to repurchase up to $350 million of its common stock with authorization expiring on May 31, 2017. During the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015, the Company repurchased 0.4 million shares for $17.9 million and 1.7 million shares for $70.4 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014, the Company repurchased 1.1 million shares for $43.9 million and 5.0 million shares for $203.0 million, respectively, under the previous Board-approved program to repurchase Company common stock which expired in May 2014. Shares repurchased were retired.
Note C: Investment Income, Net
Investment income, net, consisted of the following items:

|  | For the three months ended February 28, |  | For the nine months ended February 28,
In millions |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Interest income on corporate funds |  | $ | 2.0 |  |  | $ | 1.9 |  |  | $ | 5.9 |  |  | $ | 5.2 |
Interest expense |  | (0.1 | ) |  | (0.2 | ) |  | (0.7 | ) |  | (1.0 | )
Net loss from equity-method investments |  | (0.3 | ) |  | (0.2 | ) |  | (0.8 | ) |  | (0.2 | )
Investment income, net |  | $ | 1.6 |  |  | $ | 1.5 |  |  | $ | 4.4 |  |  | $ | 4.0 |

6

Note D: Funds Held for Clients and Corporate Investments
Funds held for clients and corporate investments consisted of the following:

| February 28, 2015
In millions | Amortized cost |  | Gross unrealized gains |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair value
Type of issue: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funds held for clients money market securities and other cash equivalents | $ | 2,657.9 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,657.9 |
Available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligation municipal bonds | 1,689.5 |  |  | 23.6 |  |  | (0.8 | ) |  | 1,712.3 |
Pre-refunded municipal bonds(1) | 103.5 |  |  | 1.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 105.2 |
Revenue municipal bonds | 969.6 |  |  | 11.5 |  |  | (0.4 | ) |  | 980.7 |
Variable rate demand notes | 384.9 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 384.9 |
Total available-for-sale securities | 3,147.5 |  |  | 36.8 |  |  | (1.2 | ) |  | 3,183.1 |
Other | 12.4 |  |  | 1.5 |  |  | — |  |  | 13.9 |
Total funds held for clients and corporate investments | $ | 5,817.8 |  |  | $ | 38.3 |  |  | $ | (1.2 | ) |  | $ | 5,854.9 |
| May 31, 2014
In millions | Amortized cost |  | Gross unrealized gains |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair value
Type of issue: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funds held for clients money market securities and other cash equivalents | $ | 1,579.2 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,579.2 |
Available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligation municipal bonds | 1,605.4 |  |  | 25.0 |  |  | (1.9 | ) |  | 1,628.5 |
Pre-refunded municipal bonds(1) | 140.4 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | — |  |  | 142.8 |
Revenue municipal bonds | 858.8 |  |  | 10.1 |  |  | (1.1 | ) |  | 867.8 |
Variable rate demand notes | 752.3 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 752.3 |
Total available-for-sale securities | 3,356.9 |  |  | 37.5 |  |  | (3.0 | ) |  | 3,391.4 |
Other | 10.6 |  |  | 1.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 12.3 |
Total funds held for clients and corporate investments | $ | 4,946.7 |  |  | $ | 39.2 |  |  | $ | (3.0 | ) |  | $ | 4,982.9 |

(1) | Pre-refunded municipal bonds are secured by an escrow fund of U.S. government obligations.

Included in money market securities and other cash equivalents as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014 were bank demand deposit accounts, commercial paper, short-term municipal bonds, and money market securities.
Classification of investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows:

In millions | February 28, 2015 |  | May 31, 2014
Funds held for clients | $ | 5,090.8 |  |  | $ | 4,198.6 |
Corporate investments | 355.5 |  |  | 398.7 |
Long-term corporate investments | 408.6 |  |  | 385.6 |
Total funds held for clients and corporate investments | $ | 5,854.9 |  |  | $ | 4,982.9 |

7

Note D: Funds Held for Clients and Corporate Investments — continued
The Company’s available-for-sale securities reflected a net unrealized gain of $35.6 million as of February 28, 2015 compared with a net unrealized gain of $34.5 million as of May 31, 2014. Included in the net unrealized gain as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, there were 81 and 98 available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, respectively. The securities in an unrealized loss position were as follows:

| February 28, 2015
| Securities in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months |  | Securities in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months |  | Total
In millions | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair value |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair Value |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair Value
Type of issue: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligation municipal bonds | $ | (0.5 | ) |  | $ | 150.1 |  |  | $ | (0.3 | ) |  | $ | 26.7 |  |  | $ | (0.8 | ) |  | $ | 176.8 |
Revenue municipal bonds | (0.4 | ) |  | 118.2 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (0.4 | ) |  | 118.2 |
Total | $ | (0.9 | ) |  | $ | 268.3 |  |  | $ | (0.3 | ) |  | $ | 26.7 |  |  | $ | (1.2 | ) |  | $ | 295.0 |

| May 31, 2014
| Securities in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months |  | Securities in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months |  | Total
In millions | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair value |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair Value |  | Gross unrealized losses |  | Fair Value
Type of issue: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligation municipal bonds | $ | (0.1 | ) |  | $ | 69.6 |  |  | $ | (1.8 | ) |  | $ | 164.0 |  |  | $ | (1.9 | ) |  | $ | 233.6 |
Pre-refunded municipal bonds | — |  |  | 1.7 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 1.7 |
Revenue municipal bonds | — |  |  | 47.5 |  |  | (1.1 | ) |  | 112.4 |  |  | (1.1 | ) |  | 159.9 |
Total | $ | (0.1 | ) |  | $ | 118.8 |  |  | $ | (2.9 | ) |  | $ | 276.4 |  |  | $ | (3.0 | ) |  | $ | 395.2 |

The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolios to determine if any investment is other-than-temporarily impaired due to changes in credit risk or other potential valuation concerns. The Company believes that the investments it held as of February 28, 2015, that had unrealized losses totaling $1.2 million, were not other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company believes that it is probable that the principal and interest will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms, and that the unrealized losses on these securities were due to changes in interest rates, and were not due to increased credit risk or other valuation concerns. A substantial portion of the securities in an unrealized loss position as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014 held an AA rating or better. The Company does not intend to sell these investments until the recovery of their amortized cost basis or maturity, and further believes that it is not more-likely-than-not that it will be required to sell these investments prior to that time. The Company’s assessment that an investment is not other-than-temporarily impaired could change in the future due to new developments or changes in the Company’s strategies or assumptions related to any particular investment.
Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined by specific identification of the amortized cost basis of each security. On the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, realized gains and losses from funds held for clients are included in interest on funds held for clients and realized gains and losses from corporate investments are included in investment income, net. Realized gains were insignificant for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014. There were no realized losses recognized in any of the respective periods.
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Note D: Funds Held for Clients and Corporate Investments — continued
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities that had stated maturities as of February 28, 2015 are shown below by contractual maturity. Expected maturities can differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

| February 28, 2015
In millions | Amortized cost |  | Fair value
Maturity date: |  |  |
Due in one year or less | $ | 367.0 |  |  | $ | 369.2 |
Due after one year through three years | 736.0 |  |  | 747.6 |
Due after three years through five years | 766.7 |  |  | 775.0 |
Due after five years | 1,277.8 |  |  | 1,291.3 |
Total | $ | 3,147.5 |  |  | $ | 3,183.1 |

Variable rate demand notes are primarily categorized as due after five years in the table above as the contractual maturities on these securities are typically 20 to 30 years. Although these securities are issued as long-term securities, they are priced and traded as short-term instruments because of the liquidity provided through the tender feature.
Note E: Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price), in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The accounting standards related to fair value measurements include a hierarchy for information and valuations used in measuring fair value that is broken down into three levels based on reliability, as follows:

• | Level 1 valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that the Company can access at the measurement date.

• | Level 2 valuations are based on inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the instrument, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability including the following:

• | quoted prices for similar, but not identical, instruments in active markets;

• | quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active;

• | inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the instrument; or

• | inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

• | Level 3 valuations are based on information that is unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Marketable securities included in funds held for clients and corporate investments consist primarily of securities classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.
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Note E: Fair Value Measurements — continued
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

| February 28, 2015
In millions | Carrying value (Fair value) |  | Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) |  | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial paper | 166.6 |  |  | — |  |  | 166.6 |  |  | — |
General obligation municipal bonds | $ | 8.4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 8.4 |  |  | $ | — |
Pre-refunded municipal bonds | 12.4 |  |  | — |  |  | 12.4 |  |  | — |
Revenue municipal bonds | 3.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 3.2 |  |  | — |
Money market securities | $ | 0.1 |  |  | $ | 0.1 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Total cash equivalents | $ | 190.7 |  |  | $ | 0.1 |  |  | $ | 190.6 |  |  | $ | — |
Available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligation municipal bonds | $ | 1,712.3 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,712.3 |  |  | $ | — |
Pre-refunded municipal bonds | 105.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 105.2 |  |  | — |
Revenue municipal bonds | 980.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 980.7 |  |  | — |
Variable rate demand notes | 384.9 |  |  | — |  |  | 384.9 |  |  | — |
Total available-for-sale securities | $ | 3,183.1 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,183.1 |  |  | $ | — |
Other | $ | 13.9 |  |  | $ | 13.9 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other long-term liabilities | $ | 13.9 |  |  | $ | 13.9 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |

| May 31, 2014
In millions | Carrying value (Fair value) |  | Quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) |  | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash equivalents: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial paper | $ | 6.0 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 6.0 |  |  | $ | — |
General obligation municipal bonds | 10.9 |  |  | — |  |  | 10.9 |  |  | — |
Pre-refunded municipal bonds | 31.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 31.2 |  |  | — |
Revenue municipal bonds | 17.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 17.7 |  |  | — |
Total cash equivalents | $ | 65.8 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 65.8 |  |  | $ | — |
Available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General obligation municipal bonds | $ | 1,628.5 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,628.5 |  |  | $ | — |
Pre-refunded municipal bonds | 142.8 |  |  | — |  |  | 142.8 |  |  | — |
Revenue municipal bonds | 867.8 |  |  | — |  |  | 867.8 |  |  | — |
Variable rate demand notes | 752.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 752.3 |  |  | — |
Total available-for-sale securities | $ | 3,391.4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,391.4 |  |  | $ | — |
Other | $ | 12.3 |  |  | $ | 12.3 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other long-term liabilities | $ | 12.3 |  |  | $ | 12.3 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |

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Note E: Fair Value Measurements — continued
In determining the fair value of its assets and liabilities, the Company predominately uses the market approach. Money market securities, which are cash equivalents, are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets. Commercial paper is included in Level 2 because it may not trade on a daily basis. Available-for-sale securities and short-term municipal bonds with a maturity of less than 90 days included in Level 2 are valued utilizing inputs obtained from an independent pricing service. To determine the fair value of the Company’s Level 2 available-for-sale investments, a variety of inputs are utilized, including benchmark yields, reported trades, non-binding broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data, new issue data, and monthly payment information. The Company has not adjusted the prices obtained from the independent pricing service because it believes that they are appropriately valued.
Assets included as other are mutual fund investments, consisting of participants’ eligible deferral contributions under the Company’s non-qualified and unfunded deferred compensation plans. The related liability is reported as other long-term liabilities. The mutual funds are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets.
The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
Note F: Property and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation
The components of property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following:

In millions | February 28, 2015 |  | May 31, 2014
Land and improvements | $ | 8.3 |  |  | $ | 8.1 |
Buildings and improvements | 101.9 |  |  | 101.1 |
Data processing equipment | 183.8 |  |  | 180.8 |
Software | 375.2 |  |  | 344.8 |
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment | 145.5 |  |  | 145.0 |
Leasehold improvements | 104.7 |  |  | 101.7 |
Construction in progress | 32.6 |  |  | 25.3 |
Total property and equipment, gross | 952.0 |  |  | 906.8 |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | 604.3 |  |  | 564.6 |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | $ | 347.7 |  |  | $ | 342.2 |

Depreciation expense was $23.0 million and $68.2 million for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015, respectively, compared to $22.1 million and $65.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014.
Note G: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net of Accumulated Amortization
The Company had goodwill balances on its Consolidated Balance Sheets of $563.8 million and $540.3 million as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, respectively. The increase in goodwill was due to an immaterial business acquisition.
The Company has certain intangible assets with finite lives. The components of intangible assets, at cost, consisted of the following:

In millions | February 28, 2015 |  | May 31, 2014
Client lists | $ | 244.4 |  |  | $ | 240.9 |
Other intangible assets | 3.2 |  |  | 2.6 |
Total intangible assets, gross | 247.6 |  |  | 243.5 |
Less: Accumulated amortization | 212.0 |  |  | 202.9 |
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization | $ | 35.6 |  |  | $ | 40.6 |

Amortization expense relating to intangible assets was $3.6 million and $10.9 million for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015, respectively, as compared with $4.2 million and $11.7 million for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014.
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Note G: Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net of Accumulated Amortization -- continued
As of February 28, 2015, the estimated amortization expense relating to intangible asset balances for the full year fiscal 2015 and the following four fiscal years is as follows:

In millions Fiscal year ending May 31, | Estimated amortization expense
2015 | $ | 14.4 |
2016 | $ | 11.2 |
2017 | $ | 8.1 |
2018 | $ | 5.5 |
2019 | $ | 3.5 |

Note H: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The change in unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes, related to available-for-sale securities is the primary component reported in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

|  | For the three months ended February 28, |  | For the nine months ended February 28,
In millions |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2015 |  | 2014
Beginning balance |  | $ | 22.4 |  |  | $ | 13.7 |  |  | $ | 21.5 |  |  | $ | 22.0 |
Other comprehensive (loss)/income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized (losses)/gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax |  | (0.6 | ) |  | 11.0 |  |  | 0.4 |  |  | 2.9 |
Reclassification adjustment for the net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities realized in net income, net of tax |  | — |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  | (0.1 | ) |  | (0.3 | )
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income, net of tax |  | (0.6 | ) |  | 10.9 |  |  | 0.3 |  |  | 2.6 |
Ending balance |  | $ | 21.8 |  |  | $ | 24.6 |  |  | $ | 21.8 |  |  | $ | 24.6 |
Total tax expense included in other comprehensive (loss)/income |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 6.5 |  |  | $ | 0.2 |  |  | $ | 1.7 |

Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income are for realized gains on the sales of available-for-sale securities. For the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, these reclassification adjustments impacted interest on funds held for clients on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
Note I: Commitments and Contingencies
Lines of credit: As of February 28, 2015, the Company had unused borrowing capacity available under four uncommitted, secured, short-term lines of credit at market rates of interest with financial institutions as follows:

Financial institution | Amount available |  | Expiration date
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $350 million |  | February 28, 2016
Bank of America, N.A. | $250 million |  | February 28, 2016
PNC Bank, National Association | $150 million |  | February 28, 2016
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | $150 million |  | February 28, 2016

The primary uses of these lines of credit would be to meet short-term funding requirements related to deposit account overdrafts and client fund obligations arising from electronic payment transactions on behalf of clients in the ordinary course of business, if necessary. No amounts were outstanding under these lines of credit as of, or during the nine months ended, February 28, 2015.
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Note I: Commitments and Contingencies – continued
Certain of the financial institutions are also parties to the Company's credit facility and irrevocable standby letters of credit, which are discussed next.
Credit facility: In June 2013, the Company entered into a committed, unsecured, five-year syndicated credit facility, expiring on June 21, 2018. Under the credit facility, Paychex of New York LLP (the “Borrower”) may, subject to certain restrictions, borrow up to $750 million to meet short-term funding requirements. The obligations under this facility have been guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The outstanding obligations under this credit facility will bear interest at competitive rates based on options provided to the Borrower. Upon expiration of the commitment in June 2018, any borrowings outstanding will mature and be payable on such date.
There were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility as of February 28, 2015. During the nine months ended February 28, 2015, the Company borrowed against this facility, for one day each, as follows:

$ in millions Fiscal quarter |  | Amount borrowed |  | Interest rate
First quarter |  | $ | 100.0 |  |  | 3.25 | %
Second quarter |  | $ | 150.0 |  |  | 3.25 | %
Third quarter |  | $ | — |  |  | — |

Certain lenders under this credit facility, and their respective affiliates, have performed, and may in the future perform for the Company and its subsidiaries, various commercial banking, investment banking, underwriting, and other financial advisory services, for which they have received, and will continue to receive in the future, customary fees and expenses.
Letters of credit: As of both February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, the Company had irrevocable standby letters of credit available totaling $43.0 million required to secure commitments for certain insurance policies. The letters of credit expire at various dates between April 2015 and December 2015. Upon draw down of funds, the letters of credit become collateralized by securities held in the Company’s investment portfolios. No amounts were outstanding on these letters of credit as of, or during the nine months ended, February 28, 2015.
Other commitments: The Company enters into various purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business. The Company had outstanding commitments to purchase approximately $9.3 million and $16.0 million of capital assets as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, respectively.
In the normal course of business, the Company makes representations and warranties that guarantee the performance of services under service arrangements with clients. Historically, there have been no material losses related to such guarantees. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its officers and directors, which require it to defend and, if necessary, indemnify these individuals for certain pending or future legal claims as they relate to their services provided to the Company.
Paychex currently self-insures the deductible portion of various insured exposures under certain employee benefit plans. The Company’s estimated loss exposure under these insurance arrangements is recorded in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Historically, the amounts accrued have not been material and are not material as of February 28, 2015. The Company also maintains insurance coverage in addition to its purchased primary insurance policies for gap coverage for employment practices liability, errors and omissions, warranty liability, theft and embezzlement, cyber threats, and acts of terrorism; and capacity for deductibles and self-insured retentions through its captive insurance company.
Contingencies: The Company is subject to various claims and legal matters that arise in the normal course of its business. These include disputes or potential disputes related to breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, employment-related claims, tax claims, and other matters.
The Company’s management currently believes that resolution of any outstanding legal matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. However, legal matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and there exists the possibility that the ultimate resolution of these matters could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations in the period in which any such effect is recorded.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reviews the operating results of Paychex, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “us”) for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2015 and February 28, 2014, and our financial condition as of February 28, 2015. The focus of this review is on the underlying business reasons for material changes and trends affecting our revenue, expenses, net income, and financial condition. This review should be read in conjunction with the February 28, 2015 consolidated financial statements and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”). This review should also be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended May 31, 2014 (“fiscal 2014”). Forward-looking statements in this review are qualified by the cautionary statement included under the next sub-heading, “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Pursuant to the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.”
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Pursuant To The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Of 1995
Certain written and oral statements made by us may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States (“U.S.”) Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words and phrases as “we expect,” “expected to,” “estimates,” “estimated,” “current outlook,” “we look forward to,” “would equate to,” “projects,” “projections,” “projected to be,” “anticipates,” “anticipated,” “we believe,” “could be,” and other similar phrases. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue growth, earnings, earnings-per-share growth, or similar projections.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict, many of which are outside our control. Our actual results and financial conditions may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance upon any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

• | general market and economic conditions including, among others, changes in U.S. employment and wage levels, changes to new hiring trends, legislative changes to stimulate the economy, changes in short- and long-term interest rates, changes in the fair value and the credit rating of securities held by us, and accessibility of financing;

• | changes in demand for our services and products, ability to develop and market new services and products effectively, pricing changes and the impact of competition;

• | changes in the availability of skilled workers, in particular those supporting our technology and product development;

• | changes in the laws regulating collection and payment of payroll taxes, professional employer organizations, and employee benefits, including retirement plans, workers’ compensation, health insurance (including health care reform legislation), state unemployment, and section 125 plans;

• | changes in health insurance and workers’ compensation rates and underlying claims trends;

• | changes in technology that adversely affect our products and services and impact our ability to provide timely enhancements to services and products;

• | the possibility of a security breach that disrupts operations or exposes client confidential data;

• | the possibility of failure of our operating facilities, computer systems, and communication systems during a catastrophic event;

• | the possibility of third-party service providers failing to perform their functions;

• | the possibility of a failure of internal controls or our inability to implement business processing improvements;

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• | the possibility that we may be subject to liability for violations of employment or discrimination laws by our clients and acts or omissions of client employees who may be deemed to be our agents, even if we do not participate in any such acts or violations; and

• | potentially unfavorable outcomes related to pending legal matters.

Any of these factors, as well as such other factors as discussed in our other periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results. The information provided in this document is based upon the facts and circumstances known at this time, and any forward-looking statement made by us in this document speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements after the date of filing this Form 10-Q to reflect events or circumstances after such date, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Business
We are a leading provider of payroll, human resource, insurance, and benefits outsourcing solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. Our business strategy is focused on achieving strong long-term financial performance by: providing high quality, timely, accurate, and affordable services; growing our client base; continually improving client service through leveraging our leading-edge technology to maximize client retention; increasing utilization of our ancillary services; and expanding our service and product offerings to continually add value for our clients. We also supplement our growth through strategic acquisitions when appropriate opportunities arise.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of services and products that allow our clients to meet their diverse payroll and human resource needs. Our payroll services are the foundation of our service portfolio. We support the small business market through our core payroll and SurePayroll products. Mid-market companies are serviced through our software-as-a-service (“SaaS”) solution, integrating our mid-market payroll products with various Internet-based services offered to meet the payroll and human resource administrative needs of these clients. Our SaaS solution provides human resource management, employee benefits management, time and attendance systems, online expense reporting, and applicant tracking.
Our services and products are as follows:

Service |  | Description
Payroll Services: |  |
Payroll processing |  | Includes the calculation, preparation, and delivery of employee payroll checks; production of internal accounting records and management reports; preparation of federal, state, and local payroll tax returns; and collection and remittance of clients’ payroll obligations.
Payroll tax administration services |  | Provides accurate preparation and timely filing of quarterly and year-end tax returns, as well as the electronic transfer of funds to the applicable federal, state, and local tax or regulatory agencies.
Employee payment services |  | Provides the employer the option of paying their employees by direct deposit, payroll debit card, a check drawn on a Paychex, Inc. account (Readychex®), or a check drawn on the employer’s account and electronically signed by us.
Regulatory compliance services |  | Includes new-hire reporting and garnishment processing, which allow employers to comply with legal requirements and reduce the risk of penalties.

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Service |  | Description
Human Resource Services: |  |
Paychex HR Services |  | Available through an administrative services organization (“ASO”) and a professional employer organization (“PEO”). Both options offer businesses a combined package that includes payroll, employer compliance, human resource and employee benefits administration, risk management outsourcing, and on-site availability of a professionally trained human resource representative, among other services. Our PEO differs from the ASO in that we serve as a co-employer of the clients’ employees, offer health care coverage to PEO client employees, and assume the risks and rewards of workers’ compensation insurance and certain health insurance offerings. Paychex HR Essentials is an ASO product that provides support to our clients telephonically or online to help manage employee-related topics.
Retirement services administration |  | Offers a variety of retirement plan options to clients, as well as recordkeeping services, which include plan implementation, ongoing compliance with government regulations, employee and employer reporting, participant and employer online access, electronic funds transfer, and other administrative services.
Insurance services |  | Our licensed insurance agency, Paychex Insurance Agency, Inc., provides insurance through a variety of carriers. Insurance offerings include property and casualty coverage, such as workers’ compensation; business-owner policies; commercial auto; and health and benefits coverage, including health, dental, vision, and life. Paychex also offers solutions to help clients navigate health care reform.
Online HR administration services |  | Offers online human resource administration software products for employee benefits management and administration, expense reporting, applicant tracking, and time and attendance solutions.
Other human resource services and products |  | Includes section 125 plans, state unemployment insurance services, employee handbooks, management manuals, and personnel and required regulatory forms.
Accounting and Finance Services: |  |
Paychex Accounting Online sm |  | A cloud-based accounting service delivered through a partnership and investment in Kashoo, a leading provider of cloud accounting services.
Other accounting and finance services |  | Includes Paychex Payment Processing Services, payment distribution services, and the Small Business Loan Resource Center.

Overview
We are pleased with our growth and progress in connection with our key initiatives for the three months ended February 28, 2015 (the “third quarter”) of the fiscal year ending May 31, 2015 (“fiscal 2015”). We have experienced strong demand for our comprehensive suite of human resource outsourcing solutions, and payroll service revenue continues to advance. Selling season execution was strong with growth in both clients and annualized new revenue sold. We are experiencing gains in the number of worksite employees served through our comprehensive suite of human resourcing outsourcing solutions.
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Our financial results continue to be impacted by the interest rate environment, as interest rates available on high-quality instruments remain low. Our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios earned an average rate of return of 0.9% for both the third quarter and the same period last year.
We continue to focus on driving growth in clients, revenue, and profits, while providing industry-leading service and technology solutions to our clients and their employees. We are investing in our business, particularly in areas related to product development and supporting technology while maintaining strong operating income, net of certain items, as a percent of service revenue for the third quarter.
We have continued the expansion of our Paychex Flex platform, a SaaS platform and multi-tiered service offering, which streamlines workforce management through innovative technology and flexible choice of service. The comprehensive, cloud-based Paychex Flex platform offers powerful capabilities in a simple user experience that is adaptive to the needs of users across the human capital management spectrum – recruiters and recruits, HR and payroll stakeholders, benefits administrators, employees, contractors, and financial advisor and accounting partners.
We recently released the newest version of our applicant tracking system, myStaffingPro, which has expanded mobility and new features. These new features are designed to enhance the candidate experience by reducing data entry, improving completion rates, and providing the ability to create candidate differentiators. The improved candidate experience helps our clients increase their applicant pools and they can also utilize enhanced tools to screen applicants.
Our full-service Paychex Employer Shared Responsibility (“ESR”) services are gaining market acceptance. The Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) sets forth specific coverage and reporting requirements that employers must meet. Paychex ESR services help clients navigate the complexities of those requirements, avoid steep fines and penalties, and reduce ACA-related administrative work.
Highlights of the financial results for the third quarter as compared to the same period last year are as follows:

• | Total service revenue increased 8% to $693.6 million.

◦ | Payroll service revenue increased 2% to $423.8 million.

◦ | Human Resource Services (“HRS”) revenue increased 19% to $269.8 million.

• | Interest on funds held for clients increased 2% to $10.7 million.

• | Total revenue increased 8% to $704.3 million.

• | Operating income increased 5% to $264.3 million and operating income, net of certain items, increased 6% to $253.6 million. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” section, which follows, for further information on this non-GAAP measure.

• | Net income increased 6% to $169.4 million and diluted earnings per share increased 5% to $0.46 per share.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure
In addition to reporting operating income, a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) measure, we present operating income, net of certain items, which is a non-GAAP measure. We believe operating income, net of certain items, is an appropriate additional measure, as it is an indicator of our core business operations performance period over period. It is also the basis of the measure used internally for establishing the following year’s targets and measuring management’s performance in connection with certain performance-based compensation payments and awards. Operating income, net of certain items, excludes interest on funds held for clients. Interest on funds held for clients is an adjustment to operating income due to the volatility of interest rates that are not within the control of management. Operating income, net of certain items, is not calculated through the application of GAAP and is not the required form of disclosure by the SEC. As such, it should not be considered as a substitute for the GAAP measure of operating income and, therefore, should not be used in isolation, but in conjunction with the GAAP measure. The use of any non-GAAP measure may produce results that vary from the GAAP measure and may not be comparable to a similarly defined non-GAAP measure used by other companies. Refer to the reconciliation of operating income to operating income, net of certain items, in the “Results of Operations – Operating Income” section of this Form 10-Q.
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Financial Position and Liquidity
Our financial position as of February 28, 2015, remained strong with cash and total corporate investments of $1.0 billion and no debt. Our investment strategy focuses on protecting principal and optimizing liquidity. Yields on high credit quality financial instruments remain low, negatively impacting our income earned on funds held for clients and corporate investments. We invest predominately in municipal bonds – general obligation bonds; pre-refunded bonds, which are secured by a U.S. government escrow; and essential services revenue bonds. During the nine months ended February 28, 2015 (the “nine months”), our primary short-term investment vehicles were bank demand deposit accounts and high quality variable rate demand notes (“VRDN”s).
A substantial portion of our portfolio is invested in high credit quality securities with AAA and AA ratings and A-1/P-1 ratings on short-term securities. We limit the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer and invest in short- to intermediate-term instruments whose fair values are less sensitive to interest rate changes. We believe that our investments as of February 28, 2015 were not other-than-temporarily impaired, nor has any event occurred subsequent to that date that would indicate any other-than-temporary impairment.
Our primary source of cash is generated from our ongoing operations. Cash flow from operations was $692.8 million for the nine months. Historically, we have funded our operations, capital purchases, business acquisitions, share repurchases, and dividend payments from our operating activities. Our positive cash flows have allowed us to support our business and to pay substantial dividends to our stockholders. It is anticipated that cash and total corporate investments as of February 28, 2015, along with projected operating cash flows, will support our normal business operations, capital purchases, share repurchases, and dividend payments for the foreseeable future.
For further analysis of our results of operations for the third quarter and nine months and our financial position as of February 28, 2015, refer to the analysis and discussion in the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections of this Form 10-Q.
Outlook
Our outlook for fiscal 2015 is based upon current market, economic, and interest rate conditions continuing with no significant changes. Our guidance is unchanged from that provided in June 2014 and is as follows:

|  | Low |  |  | High
Payroll service revenue |  | 3 | % | — | 5 | %
HRS revenue |  | 16 | % | — | 19 | %
Total service revenue |  | 8 | % | — | 10 | %
Net income |  | 6 | % | — | 8 | %

Our guidance for fiscal 2015 for: interest on funds held for clients; operating income, net of certain items, as a percentage of service revenue; and the effective income tax rate are unchanged from the guidance we previously provided.
Purchases of property and equipment for fiscal 2015 are expected to be in the range of $110 million to $120 million. This will include costs for internally developed software, as we continue to invest in our product development. Fiscal 2015 depreciation expense is projected to be in the range of $95 million to $100 million, and we project amortization of intangible assets for fiscal 2015 to be slightly less than $15 million.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary of Results of Operations:

|  | For the three months ended February 28, |  |  |  | For the nine months ended February 28, |  |
$ in millions |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change
Revenue: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Payroll service revenue |  | $ | 423.8 |  |  | $ | 413.9 |  |  | 2 | % |  | $ | 1,247.8 |  |  | $ | 1,204.8 |  |  | 4 | %
HRS revenue |  | 269.8 |  |  | 226.0 |  |  | 19 | % |  | 768.3 |  |  | 644.6 |  |  | 19 | %
Total service revenue |  | 693.6 |  |  | 639.9 |  |  | 8 | % |  | 2,016.1 |  |  | 1,849.4 |  |  | 9 | %
Interest on funds held for clients |  | 10.7 |  |  | 10.5 |  |  | 2 | % |  | 31.3 |  |  | 30.5 |  |  | 3 | %
Total revenue |  | 704.3 |  |  | 650.4 |  |  | 8 | % |  | 2,047.4 |  |  | 1,879.9 |  |  | 9 | %
Combined operating and SG&A expenses |  | 440.0 |  |  | 399.7 |  |  | 10 | % |  | 1,245.4 |  |  | 1,125.5 |  |  | 11 | %
Operating income |  | 264.3 |  |  | 250.7 |  |  | 5 | % |  | 802.0 |  |  | 754.4 |  |  | 6 | %
Investment income, net |  | 1.6 |  |  | 1.5 |  |  | 9 | % |  | 4.4 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  | 12 | %
Income before income taxes |  | 265.9 |  |  | 252.2 |  |  | 5 | % |  | 806.4 |  |  | 758.4 |  |  | 6 | %
Income taxes |  | 96.5 |  |  | 92.1 |  |  | 5 | % |  | 292.7 |  |  | 276.8 |  |  | 6 | %
Effective income tax rate |  | 36.3 | % |  | 36.5 | % |  |  |  | 36.3 | % |  | 36.5 | % |  |
Net income |  | $ | 169.4 |  |  | $ | 160.1 |  |  | 6 | % |  | $ | 513.7 |  |  | $ | 481.6 |  |  | 7 | %
Diluted earnings per share |  | $ | 0.46 |  |  | $ | 0.44 |  |  | 5 | % |  | $ | 1.41 |  |  | $ | 1.31 |  |  | 8 | %

We invest in highly liquid, investment-grade fixed income securities and do not utilize derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk. As of February 28, 2015, we had no exposure to high-risk or illiquid investments. Details regarding our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios are as follows:

| For the three months ended February 28, |  |  |  | For the nine months ended February 28, |  |
$ in millions | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change
Average investment balances: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funds held for clients | $ | 4,395.1 |  |  | $ | 4,252.2 |  |  | 3 | % |  | $ | 3,865.4 |  |  | $ | 3,736.1 |  |  | 3 | %
Corporate investments | 955.2 |  |  | 897.6 |  |  | 6 | % |  | 899.9 |  |  | 871.4 |  |  | 3 | %
Total | $ | 5,350.3 |  |  | $ | 5,149.8 |  |  | 4 | % |  | $ | 4,765.3 |  |  | $ | 4,607.5 |  |  | 3 | %
Average interest rates earned (exclusive of net realized gains): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funds held for clients | 1.0 | % |  | 1.0 | % |  |  |  | 1.1 | % |  | 1.1 | % |  |
Corporate investments | 0.8 | % |  | 0.7 | % |  |  |  | 0.8 | % |  | 0.7 | % |  |
Combined funds held for clients and corporate investments | 0.9 | % |  | 0.9 | % |  |  |  | 1.0 | % |  | 1.0 | % |  |
Total net realized gains | $ | — |  |  | $ | 0.3 |  |  |  |  | $ | 0.2 |  |  | $ | 0.5 |  |  |

As of: $ in millions |  | February 28, 2015 |  | May 31, 2014
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities (1) |  | $ | 35.6 |  |  | $ | 34.5 |
Federal Funds rate (2) |  | 0.25 | % |  | 0.25 | %
Total fair value of available-for-sale securities |  | $ | 3,183.1 |  |  | $ | 3,391.4 |
Weighted-average duration of available-for-sale securities in years (3) |  | 3.2 |  |  | 3.0 |
Weighted-average yield-to-maturity of available-for-sale securities (3) |  | 1.6 | % |  | 1.6 | %

(1) | The net unrealized gain on our investment portfolio was approximately $34.7 million as of March 20, 2015.

(2) | The Federal Funds rate was a range of 0% to 0.25% as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014.

(3) | These items exclude the impact of VRDNs as they are tied to short-term interest rates.

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Payroll service revenue: Payroll service revenue was $423.8 million for the third quarter and $1.2 billion for the nine months, reflecting increases of 2% and 4%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. Payroll service revenue growth was attributable to increases in revenue per check and client base. Growth in revenue per check was the result of price increases, net of discounts, together with the impact of increased product penetration. Checks per payroll continued to show growth, but at a more moderated rate.
Human Resource Services revenue: HRS revenue was $269.8 million for the third quarter and $768.3 million for the nine months, reflecting increases of 19% for both periods compared to the same periods last year. HRS revenue growth was positively impacted by the minimum premium plan health insurance offering for our PEO clients and worksite employees, which was introduced in the second half of the fiscal 2014. This product offering contributed five percentage points and seven percentage points of the growth in HRS revenue for the third quarter and nine months, respectively. In addition, HRS revenue reflects strong growth in clients and worksite employees served within our Paychex HR Services, which includes our ASO and PEO. Retirement services revenue increased as a result of pricing and growth in the number of plans served, and also benefited from an increase in the average asset value of participants’ funds. Insurance services revenue benefited from the ramping up of our full service product assisting clients with health care reform, a moderate increase in health and benefits applicants, and higher average premiums in our workers' compensation insurance product. Our online HR administration services contributed to growth as a result of increases in our client base for our SaaS solutions.
Total service revenue: Total service revenue was $693.6 million for the third quarter and $2.0 billion for the nine months, reflecting increases of 8% and 9%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. The increases were attributable to the items previously discussed.
Interest on funds held for clients: Interest on funds held for clients was $10.7 million for the third quarter and $31.3 million for the nine months, reflecting increases of 2% and 3%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. The fluctuations were driven by an increase in average investment balances of 3% for both periods. The increase in average investment balances was largely the result of wage inflation along with growth in client base.
Combined operating and SG&A expenses: The following table summarizes total combined operating and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses:

|  | For the three months ended February 28, |  |  |  | For the nine months ended February 28, |  |
$ in millions |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change
Compensation-related expenses |  | $ | 285.4 |  |  | $ | 261.8 |  |  | 9 | % |  | $ | 800.4 |  |  | $ | 744.6 |  |  | 7 | %
Depreciation and amortization |  | 26.6 |  |  | 26.3 |  |  | 1 | % |  | 79.1 |  |  | 76.7 |  |  | 3 | %
Other expenses |  | 128.0 |  |  | 111.6 |  |  | 15 | % |  | 365.9 |  |  | 304.2 |  |  | 20 | %
Total operating and SG&A expenses |  | $ | 440.0 |  |  | $ | 399.7 |  |  | 10 | % |  | $ | 1,245.4 |  |  | $ | 1,125.5 |  |  | 11 | %

Total expenses were $440.0 million for the third quarter and $1.2 billion for the nine months, reflecting increases of 10% and 11%, respectively, compared to the respective periods last year. Costs relating to the new minimum premium plan health insurance offering within our PEO contributed three percentage points and four percentage points to the growth in total expenses for the third quarter and nine months, respectively.
Compensation-related expenses increased 9% for the third quarter and 7% for the nine months due to higher employee-benefit-related costs, primarily medical costs, along with an increase in sales headcount and higher performance-based compensation costs which related to strong sales execution. As of February 28, 2015 and 2014 we had approximately 13,100 and 12,700 employees, respectively.
Depreciation expense is primarily related to buildings, furniture and fixtures, data processing equipment, and software. Amortization of intangible assets is primarily related to client list acquisitions, which are amortized using either straight-line or accelerated methods.
Other expenses include items such as non-capital equipment, delivery, forms and supplies, communications, travel and entertainment, professional services, and other costs incurred to support our business. Other expenses increased due to costs relating to the new minimum premium plan health care offering in the PEO. In addition, continued investment in product development and supporting technology impacted other expense growth.
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Operating income: Operating income was $264.3 million for the third quarter and $802.0 million for the nine months, reflecting increases of 5% and 6%, respectively, compared with the same periods last year. The changes in operating income were attributable to the factors previously discussed.
Operating income, net of certain items, is summarized as follows:

|  | For the three months ended February 28, |  |  |  | For the nine months ended February 28, |  |
$ in millions |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | Change
Operating income |  | $ | 264.3 |  |  | $ | 250.7 |  |  | 5 | % |  | $ | 802.0 |  |  | $ | 754.4 |  |  | 6 | %
Excluding: Interest on funds held for clients |  | (10.7 | ) |  | (10.5 | ) |  | 2 | % |  | (31.3 | ) |  | (30.5 | ) |  | 3 | %
Operating income, net of certain items |  | $ | 253.6 |  |  | $ | 240.2 |  |  | 6 | % |  | $ | 770.7 |  |  | $ | 723.9 |  |  | 6 | %
Operating income, net of certain items as a percent of total service revenue |  | 36.6 | % |  | 37.5 | % |  |  |  | 38.2 | % |  | 39.1 | % |  |

Operating income, net of certain items, is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the previous discussion of operating income, net of certain items, in the “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” section of this Form 10-Q. Operating income, net of certain items, as a percent of total service revenue was impacted by the minimum premium plan within the PEO initiated in the second half of fiscal 2014.
Investment income, net: Investment income, net, primarily represents earnings from our cash and cash equivalents and investments in available-for-sale securities. Investment income does not include interest on funds held for clients, which is included in total revenue. Investment income, net, was $1.6 million for the third quarter and $4.4 million for the nine months, reflecting increases of 9% and 12%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. These increases were the result of higher average interest rates earned and slightly higher average investment balances. The growth rate for average investment balances was tempered by an increase in the shareholder dividend and stock repurchases.
Income taxes: Our effective income tax rate was 36.3% for both the third quarter and nine months, compared with 36.5% for the respective prior year periods. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was the result of changes in state effective tax rates.
Net income and earnings per share: Net income was $169.4 million for the third quarter and $513.7 million for the nine months, reflecting increases of 6% and 7%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. Diluted earnings per share was $0.46 per share for the third quarter and $1.41 per share for the nine months, also reflecting increases of 5% and 8%, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. These fluctuations were attributable to the factors previously discussed.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our financial position as of February 28, 2015 remained strong with cash and total corporate investments of $1.0 billion and no debt. We believe that our investments as of February 28, 2015 were not other-than-temporarily impaired, nor has any event occurred subsequent to that date to indicate any other-than-temporary impairment. It is anticipated that cash and total corporate investments as of February 28, 2015, along with projected operating cash flows, will support our normal business operations, capital purchases, share repurchases, and dividend payments for the foreseeable future.
Commitments and Contingencies
Lines of credit: As of February 28, 2015, we had unused borrowing capacity available under four uncommitted, secured, short-term lines of credit at market rates of interest with financial institutions as follows:

Financial institution | Amount available |  | Expiration date
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $350 million |  | February 28, 2016
Bank of America, N.A. | $250 million |  | February 28, 2016
PNC Bank, National Association | $150 million |  | February 28, 2016
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | $150 million |  | February 28, 2016

The primary uses of these lines of credit would be to meet short-term funding requirements related to deposit account overdrafts and client fund obligations arising from electronic payment transactions on behalf of our clients in the ordinary course of business, if necessary. No amounts were outstanding under these lines of credit as of, or during the nine months ended, February 28, 2015.
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Certain of the financial institutions are also parties to our credit facility and irrevocable standby letters of credit, which are discussed next.
Credit facility: In June 2013, we entered into a committed, unsecured, five-year syndicated credit facility, expiring on June 21, 2018. Under the credit facility, Paychex of New York LLP (the “Borrower”) may, subject to certain restrictions, borrow up to $750 million to meet short-term funding requirements. The obligations under this facility have been guaranteed by us and certain of our subsidiaries. The outstanding obligations under this credit facility will bear interest at competitive rates based on options provided to the Borrower. Upon expiration of the commitment in June 2018, any borrowings outstanding will mature and be payable on such date.
There were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility as of February 28, 2015. During the nine months ended February 28, 2015, the Company borrowed against this facility, for one day each, as follows:

$ in millions Fiscal quarter |  | Amount borrowed |  | Interest rate
First quarter |  | $ | 100.0 |  |  | 3.25 | %
Second quarter |  | $ | 150.0 |  |  | 3.25 | %
Third quarter |  | $ | — |  |  | — |

Certain lenders under this credit facility, and their respective affiliates, have performed, and may in the future perform for us and our subsidiaries, various commercial banking, investment banking, underwriting, and other financial advisory services, for which they have received, and will continue to receive in the future, customary fees and expenses.
Letters of credit: As of February 28, 2015, we had irrevocable standby letters of credit available totaling $43.0 million, required to secure commitments for certain insurance policies. The letters of credit expire at various dates between April 2015 and December 2015. Upon draw down of funds, the letters of credit become collateralized by securities held in our investment portfolios. No amounts were outstanding on these letters of credit as of, or during the nine months ended, February 28, 2015.
Other commitments: We enter into various purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business. We had outstanding commitments to purchase approximately $9.3 million of capital assets as of February 28, 2015.
In the normal course of business, we make representations and warranties that guarantee the performance of services under service arrangements with clients. Historically, there have been no material losses related to such guarantees. In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our officers and directors, which require us to defend and, if necessary, indemnify these individuals for certain pending or future legal claims as they relate to their services provided to us.
We currently self-insure the deductible portion of various insured exposures under certain employee benefit plans. Our estimated loss exposure under these insurance arrangements is recorded in other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Historically, the amounts accrued have not been material and are not material as of February 28, 2015. We also maintain insurance coverage in addition to our purchased primary insurance policies for gap coverage for employment practices liability, errors and omissions, warranty liability, theft and embezzlement, cyber threats, and acts of terrorism; and capacity for deductibles and self-insured retentions through our captive insurance company.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions with unconsolidated entities such as special purpose entities or structured finance entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other limited purposes. We do maintain investments as a limited partner in low-income housing projects that are not considered part of our ongoing operations. These investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and represented less than 1% of our total assets as of February 28, 2015.
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Operating Cash Flow Activities

| For the nine months ended February 28,
In millions | 2015 |  | 2014
Net income | $ | 513.7 |  |  | $ | 481.6 |
Non-cash adjustments to net income | 148.0 |  |  | 144.8 |
Cash provided by changes in operating assets and liabilities | 31.1 |  |  | 79.4 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 692.8 |  |  | $ | 705.8 |

The decrease in our operating cash flows for the nine months, compared to the corresponding period last year, was primarily a result of fluctuations in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by higher net income. The fluctuations in our operating assets and liabilities were primarily related to the timing of collections from clients and payments for compensation, PEO payroll, and income taxes.
Investing Cash Flow Activities

| For the nine months ended February 28,
In millions | 2015 |  | 2014
Net change in funds held for clients and corporate investment activities | $ | (925.9 | ) |  | $ | (815.0 | )
Purchases of property and equipment | (72.0 | ) |  | (62.8 | )
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired | (27.1 | ) |  | (9.3 | )
Purchases of other assets | (2.2 | ) |  | (7.1 | )
Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (1,027.2 | ) |  | $ | (894.2 | )

Funds held for clients and corporate investments: Funds held for clients consist of short-term funds and available-for-sale securities. Corporate investments are primarily comprised of available-for-sale securities. The portfolio of funds held for clients and corporate investments is detailed in Note D of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The fluctuations in the net change in funds held for clients and corporate investment activities for the nine months and the corresponding period of fiscal 2014 reflect net cash outflows. This is typical for this time period as a result of investment of the higher client collections in the third quarter that are the result of calendar year-end bonus payments, higher social security withholdings with the calendar-year reset, and collections for income taxes. The increase in the net cash outflows for the nine months of was due to growth in the client base and change in the mix of investments. For both periods, there was a decrease in holdings of VRDNs, which are available-for sale securities, as a greater portion of short-term funds were invested in bank demand deposit accounts. For the corporate portfolios, the bank demand deposit accounts are included in cash and cash equivalents and these deposits are not reflected in cash flows from investing activities. This change in mix was more significant in the prior year period, which resulted in less net cash inflows from the sales and purchases of VRDNs in the current year period.
In general, fluctuations in net funds held for clients and corporate investment activities primarily relate to timing of purchases, sales, or maturities of investments. The amount of funds held for clients will also vary based upon the timing of collecting client funds, and the related remittance of funds to applicable tax or regulatory agencies for payroll tax administration services and to employees of clients utilizing employee payment services. Additional discussion of interest rates and related risks is included in the “Market Risk Factors” section of this Form 10-Q.
Purchases of long-lived assets: To support our continued client and ancillary product growth, we made purchases of data processing equipment and software, and we expanded and upgraded various operating facilities. Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired, reflect immaterial business acquisitions during the respective periods. The decrease in cash outflows from the purchase of other assets is related to prior year purchase of equity method investments.
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Financing Cash Flow Activities

| For the nine months ended February 28,
In millions, except per share amounts | 2015 |  | 2014
Net change in client fund obligations | $ | 891.8 |  |  | $ | 841.0 |
Dividends paid | (414.4 | ) |  | (383.4 | )
Repurchases of common stock | (70.4 | ) |  | (203.0 | )
Equity activity related to stock-based awards | 40.2 |  |  | 97.8 |
Net cash provided by financing activities | $ | 447.2 |  |  | $ | 352.4 |
Cash dividends per common share | $ | 1.14 |  |  | $ | 1.05 |

Net change in client fund obligations: The client fund obligations liability will vary based on the timing of collecting client funds and the related required remittance of funds to applicable tax or regulatory agencies for payroll tax administration services and to employees of clients utilizing employee payment services. Collections from clients are typically remitted from one to 30 days after receipt, with some items extending to 90 days.
The cash inflows related to the net change in client fund obligations for the nine months and the corresponding period of fiscal 2014 were the result of higher collections from clients for employee tax withholdings than payments. This is typical for this period due to calendar year-end bonus payments, higher social security withholdings with the calendar-year reset, and income tax payments. The higher cash inflow for the nine months compared to the same period last year was due to growth in clients and checks per payroll.
Dividends paid: In July 2014, the quarterly shareholder dividend was increased 9% to $0.38 per share from $0.35 per share. The increase in dividend payments for the nine months compared to the corresponding period last year is due to this increase in dividend, offset somewhat by the impact of fewer average shares outstanding as a result of repurchases of our common stock. The payment of future dividends is dependent on our future earnings and cash flow and is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Repurchases of common stock: In May 2014, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $350 million of our common stock, with the authorization expiring May 31, 2017. During the nine months, we repurchased 1.7 million shares for $70.4 million. During the first nine months of fiscal 2014, we repurchased 5.0 million shares for $203.0 million under the previous board-approved stock repurchase program which expired in May 2014.
Equity activity related to stock-based awards: Equity activity related to stock-based awards decreased primarily as a result of lower stock option exercise activity in the nine months compared to the corresponding period last year. For the nine months, 1.4 million options were exercised, compared with 2.9 million options for the corresponding period last year.
MARKET RISK FACTORS
Changes in interest rates and interest rate risk: Funds held for clients are comprised of short-term funds and available-for-sale securities. Corporate investments are primarily comprised of available-for-sale securities. As a result of our operating and investing activities, we are exposed to changes in interest rates that may materially affect our results of operations and financial position. Changes in interest rates will impact the earnings potential of future investments and will cause fluctuations in the fair value of our longer-term available-for-sale securities. We follow an investment strategy of protecting principal and optimizing liquidity. A substantial portion of our portfolio is invested in high credit quality securities with AAA and AA ratings, and A-1/P-1 ratings on short-term securities. We invest predominantly in municipal bonds: general obligation bonds; pre-refunded bonds, which are secured by a U.S. government escrow; and essential services revenue bonds. We limit the amounts that can be invested in any single issuer and invest primarily in short- to intermediate-term instruments whose fair value is less sensitive to interest rate changes. We manage the available-for-sale securities to a benchmark duration of two and one-half to three and three-quarters years.
During the nine months, our primary short-term investment vehicles were bank demand deposit accounts and VRDNs. We have no exposure to high-risk or illiquid investments such as auction rate securities, sub-prime mortgage securities, asset-backed securities or asset-backed commercial paper, collateralized debt obligations, enhanced cash or cash plus mutual funds, or structured investment vehicles (SIVs). We have insignificant exposure to European investments. We have not and do not utilize derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk.
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During both the nine months and the corresponding period of fiscal 2014, the average interest rate earned on our combined funds held for clients and corporate investment portfolios was 1.0%. When interest rates are rising, the full impact of higher interest rates will not immediately be reflected in net income due to the interaction of short- and long-term interest rate changes. During a rising interest rate environment, the increases in interest rates increase earnings from our short-term investments, and over time increase earnings from our longer-term available-for-sale securities. Earnings from the available-for-sale-securities, which as of February 28, 2015 had an average duration of 3.2 years, would not reflect increases in interest rates until the investments are sold or mature and the proceeds are reinvested at higher rates.
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities that had stated maturities as of February 28, 2015 are shown below by contractual maturity. Expected maturities can differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

| February 28, 2015
In millions | Amortized cost |  | Fair value
Maturity date: |  |  |
Due in one year or less | $ | 367.0 |  |  | $ | 369.2 |
Due after one year through three years | 736.0 |  |  | 747.6 |
Due after three years through five years | 766.7 |  |  | 775.0 |
Due after five years | 1,277.8 |  |  | 1,291.3 |
Total | $ | 3,147.5 |  |  | $ | 3,183.1 |

VRDNs are primarily categorized as due after five years in the table above as the contractual maturities on these securities are typically 20 to 30 years. Although these securities are issued as long-term securities, they are priced and traded as short-term instruments because of the liquidity provided through the tender feature.
The Federal Funds rate has remained at a range of zero to 0.25% since December 2008.
Calculating the future effects of changing interest rates involves many factors. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• | daily interest rate changes;

• | seasonal variations in investment balances;

• | actual duration of short-term and available-for-sale securities;

• | the proportion of taxable and tax-exempt investments;

• | changes in tax-exempt municipal rates versus taxable investment rates, which are not synchronized or simultaneous; and

• | financial market volatility and the resulting effect on benchmark and other indexing interest rates.

Subject to these factors and under normal financial market environment, a 25-basis-point change in taxable interest rates generally affects our tax-exempt interest rates by approximately 17 basis points. Under normal financial market conditions, the impact to earnings from a 25-basis-point change in short-term interest rates would be approximately $3.5 million to $4.0 million, after taxes, for the next twelve-month period. Such a basis point change may or may not be tied to changes in the Federal Funds rate.
Our total investment portfolio (funds held for clients and corporate investments) is expected to average approximately $4.9 billion for fiscal 2015. Our anticipated allocation is approximately 45% invested in short-term and VRDNs with an average duration of less than 30 days and 55% invested in available-for-sale securities with an average duration of two and one-half to three and three-quarters years.
The combined funds held for clients and corporate available-for-sale securities reflected a net unrealized gain of $35.6 million as of February 28, 2015, compared with a net unrealized gain of $34.5 million as of May 31, 2014. During the nine months, the net unrealized gain on our investment portfolios ranged from $22.7 million to $55.9 million. These fluctuations were driven by changes in market rates of interest. Our investment portfolios reflected a net unrealized gain of approximately $34.7 million as of March 20, 2015.
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As of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014, we had $3.2 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively, invested in available-for-sale securities at fair value. The weighted-average yield-to-maturity was 1.6% as of both February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014. The weighted-average yield-to-maturity excludes available-for-sale securities tied to short-term interest rates, such as VRDNs. Assuming a hypothetical increase in longer-term interest rates of 25 basis points, the resulting potential decrease in fair value for our portfolio of available-for-sale securities held as of February 28, 2015 would be in the range of $20.0 million to $25.0 million. Conversely, a corresponding decrease in interest rates would result in a comparable increase in fair value. This hypothetical increase or decrease in the fair value of the portfolio would be recorded as an adjustment to the portfolio’s recorded value, with an offsetting amount recorded in stockholders’ equity. These fluctuations in fair value would have no related or immediate impact on the results of operations, unless any declines in fair value were considered to be other-than-temporary and an impairment loss recognized.
Credit Risk: We are exposed to credit risk in connection with these investments through the possible inability of the borrowers to meet the terms of their bonds. We regularly review our investment portfolios to determine if any investment is other-than-temporarily impaired due to changes in credit risk or other potential valuation concerns. We believe that the investments we held as of February 28, 2015 were not other-than-temporarily impaired. While $295.0 million of our available-for-sale securities had fair values that were below amortized cost, we believe that it is probable that the principal and interest will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms, and that the unrealized losses totaling $1.2 million were due to changes in interest rates and were not due to increased credit risk or other valuation concerns. A substantial portion of the securities in an unrealized loss position as of February 28, 2015 and May 31, 2014 held an AA rating or better. We do not intend to sell these investments until the recovery of their amortized cost basis or maturity, and further believe that it is not more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell these investments prior to that time. Our assessment that an investment is not other-than-temporarily impaired could change in the future due to new developments or changes in our strategies or assumptions related to any particular investment.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies are described in Item 7 of our Form 10-K for fiscal 2014, filed with the SEC on July 22, 2014. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the critical accounting policies used to prepare our consolidated financial statements, including, but not limited to, those related to:

• | revenue recognition;

• | PEO insurance services;

• | goodwill and other intangible assets;

• | stock-based compensation costs; and

• | income taxes.

There have been no material changes in these aforementioned critical accounting policies.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements: Refer to Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently adopted accounting pronouncements.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements: Refer to Note A of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure of Market Risk
The information called for by this item is provided under the caption “Market Risk Factors” under Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Disclosure controls and procedures are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
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Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) have concluded that as of February 28, 2015, the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting: The Company also carried out an evaluation of the internal controls over financial reporting to determine whether any change occurred during the quarter ended February 28, 2015. Based on such evaluation, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recently completed fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2015, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information relating to our repurchase of common stock during the three months ended February 28, 2015:

|  | Total number of shares purchased |  | Average price paid per share |  | Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program
December 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014 |  | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 297,465,969 |
January 1, 2015 - January 31, 2015 |  | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 297,465,969 |
February 1, 2015 - February 28, 2015 |  | 395,419 |  |  | $ | 45.27 |  |  | $ | 279,566,285 |
Total for the period |  | 395,419 |  |  | $ | 45.27 |  |  | $ | 279,566,285 |

In May 2014, our Board approved a program to repurchase up to $350 million of our common stock, with authorization expiring on May 31, 2017. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued by management at any time. All shares of stock repurchased during the three months ended February 28, 2015 were purchased pursuant to the program and were retired.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
For the exhibits that are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference, see the Index to Exhibits located on page 29 of this report. The Index to Exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
PAYCHEX, INC.

Date: | March 25, 2015 | /s/ Martin Mucci
|  | Martin Mucci
|  | President and Chief Executive Officer
|  | (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: | March 25, 2015 | /s/ Efrain Rivera
|  | Efrain Rivera
|  | Senior Vice President, Chief
|  | Financial Officer, and Treasurer
|  | (Principal Financial Officer)

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit number |  | Description
31.1 |  | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 |  | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 |  | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 |  | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS |  | XBRL instance document.
101.SCH |  | XBRL taxonomy extension schema document.
101.CAL |  | XBRL taxonomy extension calculation linkbase document.
101.LAB |  | XBRL taxonomy label linkbase document.
101.PRE |  | XBRL taxonomy extension presentation linkbase document.
101.DEF |  | XBRL taxonomy extension definition linkbase document.

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