XML 15 R7.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.23.3
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

General

 

Recruiter.com Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“RGI” or the “Company”), is a holding company based in New York, New York. The Company has eight subsidiaries, Recruiter.com, Inc., Recruiter.com Recruiting Solutions LLC (“Recruiting Solutions”), VocaWorks, Inc. (“VocaWorks”), Recruiter.com Scouted Inc. (“Scouted”), Recruiter.com Upsider Inc. (“Upsider”), Recruiter.com OneWire Inc. (“OneWire”), Recruiter.com Consulting, LLC (“Recruiter.com Consulting”) and CognoGroup, Inc. RGI and its subsidiaries as a consolidated group is hereinafter referred to as the “Company,” “we”, “us” or “our”.

 

On July 25, 2023, the Company acquired a shell company, Atlantic Energy Solutions, Inc., which is a dormant entity quoted on OTC Market under the symbol AESO, in which the Company acquired a controlling and majority equity interest through purchasing 1,000,000 preferred convertible shares providing voting control of Atlantic Energy Solutions, Inc. for $80,000. The transaction is accounted for as a recapitalization due to the intent of the company to spin out the shell to the shareholders of Recruiter.com Group, Inc. and continue certain operations of Recruiter.com, Inc. in AESO

 

The Company operates an On Demand recruiting platform digitally transforming the $28.5 billion employment and recruiting agencies industry. The Company offers recruiting software and services through an online, AI-powered sourcing platform (the ″Platform”) and network of on-demand recruiters. Businesses from startups to the Fortune 100 use the Company to help address their critical talent needs and solve recruiting and hiring challenges.

 

The Company’s website, www.Recruiter.com, provides access to its network of recruiters to employers seeking to hire talent and utilizes an innovative web platform, software with integrated AI-driven candidate to job matching, and video screening software to source qualified talent more easily and quickly.

 

The Company helps businesses accelerate and streamline their recruiting and hiring processes by providing on-demand recruiting software and services. The Company leverages its expert network of recruiters to place recruiters on a project basis, aided by cutting-edge AI-based candidate sourcing and matching and video screening technologies.

 

Through the Company’s Recruiting Solutions division, the Company also provides consulting, staffing, (see note 6), and full-time placement services to employers, leveraging our platform and rounding out our services. The Company’s mission is to help recruit the right talent faster and become the preferred solution for hiring specialized talent.

 

On June 5, 2023, the Company ("Buyer") entered into a stock purchase agreement (“GoLogiq Stock Purchase Agreement”) with GoLogiq Inc. ("Seller"), a Delaware corporation (“GoLogiq”). GoLogiq owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests (the “Membership Interests”) of GOLQ LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, that was further amended on August 18 and 29, 2023. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the stock purchase agreement, GoLogiq is selling to the Company, and the Company is purchasing from GoLogiq, the Membership Interests. In exchange for the Company Membership Interests, the Buyer will issue to Seller such number of shares of common stock of Buyer, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Buyer Common Stock”) that represents 19.99% of the number of issued and outstanding shares of the Buyer Common Stock on the business day prior to the date of Closing (“Closing Consideration”). Following the issuance of the Closing Consideration, Seller will own 16.66% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Buyer Common Stock. In addition, additional Buyer Common Stock may be issuable to Seller as consideration upon the achievement of one or more of the following milestone targets (each a “Milestone Payment”): (i) if on a date that is six (6) months after the date of Closing, the Revenue for such six-month period is at least $2,000,000, Buyer will issue to Seller such number of additional shares of Buyer Common Stock such that Seller will own, following such issuance, 40.00% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Buyer Common Stock; (ii) if on a date that is nine (9) months after the date of Closing, the Revenue for such nine-month period is at least $4,000,000, Buyer will issue to Seller such number of additional shares of Buyer Common Stock such that Seller will own, following such issuance, 64.00% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Buyer Common Stock. Such issuance may be made as early as six (6) months after the date of Closing if $4,000,000 in Revenue is reached between six (6) and nine (9) months after the date of Closing; and (iii) if on a date that is twelve (12) months after the date of Closing, Revenue for such twelve-month period is at least $6,000,000, Buyer will issue to Seller such number of additional shares of Buyer Common Stock such that Seller will own, following such issuance, 84.00% of the fully-diluted shares of the Buyer Common Stock. Such issuance may be made as early as six (6) months after the date of Closing if $6,000,000 in Revenue is reached between six (6) and twelve (12) months after the date of Closing. Each Milestone Payment under this Section 1.02(b) shall be independent of the other Milestone Payments such that a Milestone Payment shall be payable if and only if the target attributable to such Milestone Payment is achieved within the period of time required by such target. This transaction is awaiting shareholder approval and has not yet closed.

 

On August 16, 2023, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Job Mobz Purchase Agreement”) with Job Mobz Inc., a California corporation (“Job Mobz”). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Job Mobz Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to sell and assign its right, title, and interest in the domain name and the assets generally used to operate the business associated therewith  to Job Mobz for an aggregate purchase price of $1,800,000, subject to certain adjustments. This transaction has not yet closed. The Company is currently seeking shareholder approval to the terms of that certain Job Mobz Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

 

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited. The unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. Accordingly, these interim unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. The December 31, 2022 balance sheet is derived from those statements.

 

In the opinion of management, these unaudited interim financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and non-recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented. The results for three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023 or for any future period. All references to September 30, 2023 in these footnotes are unaudited.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

See Note 6, Discontinued Operations, for a discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policy surrounding the sale of substantially all of the Company’s staffing and consulting services revenue line in connection with the sale of its right, title, and exclusive interest in certain client contracts and associated staff, contractors, business information, and relationships to Insigma and Akvarr.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions. Included in these estimates are assumptions used to estimate collection of accounts receivable, fair value of marketable securities, fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in asset acquisitions and the estimated useful life of assets acquired, fair value of contingent consideration in asset acquisitions and business combinations, fair value of derivative liabilities, fair value of securities issued for acquisitions and business combinations, fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, fair value of intangible assets and goodwill, fair value of capitalized software, fair value of non-monetary transactions, deferred income tax asset valuation allowances, and valuation of stock based compensation expense.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-term highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions, and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits.  At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $15,253 and $612,691 in excess of the FDIC limit, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company had no cash equivalents during or at the end of either period.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”). Revenues are recognized when control is transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods. Revenue recognition is evaluated through the following five steps: (i) identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognition of revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied. 

 

We generate revenue from the following activities:

 

·

 

Software Subscriptions: We offer a subscription to our web-based platforms that help employers recruit talent. Our platforms allow customers to source, contact, screen, and sort candidates using data science, advanced email campaigning tools, and predictive analytics. As part of our software subscriptions, we offer enhanced support packages and On Demand recruiting support services for an additional fee. Additional fees may be charged when we place a candidate with our customer, depending on the subscription type. In such cases, if the candidate ceases to be employed by the customer during the initial 90 days (the 90-day guarantee), we refund the customer in full for all fees paid by the customer. In December of 2022, we sold one of our software platforms to Talent, Inc. that was used in the delivery of the subscription service. Subsequently, we continued providing the service, but leveraged third-party tools in the delivery of services.

 

· 

 

Recruiters On Demand: Consists of a consulting and staffing service specifically for the placement of professional recruiters, which we market as Recruiters On Demand. Recruiters On Demand is a flexible, time-based solution that provides businesses of all sizes access to recruiters on an outsourced, virtual basis for help with their hiring needs. As with other consulting and staffing solutions, we procure for our employer clients qualified professional recruiters, and then place them on assignment with our employer clients. We derive revenue from Recruiters On Demand by billing the employer clients for the placed recruiters’ ongoing work at an agreed-upon, time-based rate. We directly source recruiter candidates from our network of recruiters. In addition, we also offer talent planning, talent assessment, strategic guidance, and organizational development services, which we market as our “Talent Effectiveness” practice. Companies prepay for a certain number of consulting hours at an agreed-upon, time-based rate. We source and provide the independent consultants that provide the service. In March 2023, we announced a strategic partnership with Job Mobz to transition certain Recruiters on Demand clients and staff to Job Mobz in exchange for an ongoing revenue stream. (See below Revenue Share).

 

 

· 

Full-time Placement: Consists of providing referrals of qualified candidates to employers to hire staff for full-time positions. We generate full-time placement revenue by earning one-time fees for each time that employers hire one of the candidates that we refer. Employers alert us of their hiring needs through our Platform, or other communications. We source qualified candidate referrals for the employers’ available jobs through independent recruiter users that access the Platform and other tools. We support and supplement the independent recruiters’ efforts with dedicated internal employees we call our internal talent delivery team. Our talent delivery team selects and delivers candidate profiles and resumes to our employer clients for their review and ultimate selection. Upon the employer hiring one or more of our candidate referrals, we earn a “full-time placement fee”, an amount separately negotiated with each employer client. The full-time placement fee is typically either a percentage of the referred candidates’ first year base salary or an agreed-upon flat fee.

 

 

· 

Marketplace: Our Marketplace category comprises services for businesses and individuals that leverage our online presence and career communities. For businesses, this includes job postings, sponsorship of digital newsletters, online content promotion, social media distribution, banner advertising, and other branded electronic communications, such as in our quarterly digital publication on recruiting trends and issues. We earn revenue by completing agreed upon marketing related deliverables and milestones using pricing and terms set by mutual agreement with the customer. In some cases, we earn a percentage of revenue a business receives from attracting new clients by advertising on the Platform. Companies can also pay us to post job openings on our proprietary job boards to promote open job positions they are trying to fill. In addition to our work with direct clients, we categorize all online advertising and affiliate marketing revenue as Marketplace revenue.

 

For individuals, Marketplace includes services to assist with career development and advancement, including a resume distribution service that promotes these job seekers’ profiles and resumes to help with their procuring employment, upskilling, and training. Our resume distribution service allows a job seeker to upload their resume to our database, which we then distribute to our network of recruiters on the Platform. We earn revenue from a one-time flat fee for this service. We also offer a recruiter training program through our online learning management system, located at RecruitingClasses.com and other training and upskilling programs.

 

· 

 

Consulting and Staffing: Consists of providing consulting and staffing personnel services to employers to satisfy their demand for long- and short-term consulting and temporary employee needs. We generate revenue by first referring qualified personnel for the employer’s specific talent needs, then placing such personnel with the employer, but with our providers acting as the employer of record for us, and finally, billing the employer for the time and work of our placed personnel on an ongoing basis. Our process for finding candidates for consulting and staffing engagements largely mirrors our process for full-time placement hiring. This process includes employers informing us of open consulting and temporary staffing opportunities and projects, sourcing qualified candidates through the Platform and other similar means, and, finally, the employer selecting our  candidates for placement after a process of review and selection. We bill these employer clients for our placed candidates’ ongoing work at an agreed-upon, time-based rate, typically on a weekly schedule of invoicing (see note 6).

 

 

·

Revenue Share: We refer certain clients to a third party in exchange for a referral fee. The amount of the referral fee is dependent upon whether the referral is an existing client of ours and what services we currently provide that client, or a client of a third party who is not historically serviced by us. Referral fees under the revenue share arrangement are subject to certain minimum and maximum payout amounts. We record referral fees earned under our revenue share arrangement on a net basis.

 

We have a sales team and sales partnerships with direct employers as well as vendor management system companies and managed service companies that help create sales channels for clients that buy staffing, direct hire, and sourcing services. Once we have secured the relationship and contract with the interested Enterprise customer, the delivery and product teams will provide the service to fulfil any or all of the revenue segments.

 

Revenues as presented on the consolidated statements of operations represent services rendered to customers less sales adjustments and allowances.

 

Software subscription revenues are recognized over the term of the subscription for access to services and/or our web-based platform. Revenue is recognized monthly over the subscription term. Talent effectiveness subscription revenues are recognized over the term of the subscription when services are provided. Any payments received prior to the time passing to provide the subscription services are recorded as a deferred revenue liability. Revenue generated from the enhanced support package and On Demand support are recognized at the point-in-time when the service is provided. Revenue generated from placement fees that are related to the software subscription are recognized at the point-in-time when the 60 or 90-day guarantee expires.

 

Recruiters On Demand services are billed to clients as either monthly subscriptions or time-based billings. Revenues for Recruiters On Demand are recognized on a gross basis when each monthly subscription service is completed. Talent Effectiveness consulting services are billed to clients upfront for a period of 12 months. Revenue is recognized on a gross basis monthly over the period the consulting services are provided.

 

Full time placement revenues are recognized on a gross basis when the guarantee period specified in each customer’s contract expires. No fees for direct hire placement services are charged to the employment candidates. Any payments received prior to the expiration of the guarantee period are recorded as a deferred revenue liability. Payments for recruitment services are typically due within 90 days of completion of services.

 

Marketplace Solutions revenues are recognized on a gross basis when the advertising is placed and displayed or when lead generation activities and online publications are completed, which is the point at which the performance obligations are satisfied. Payments for marketing and publishing are typically due within 30 days of completion of services.

Consulting and Staffing Services revenues represent services rendered to customers less sales adjustments and allowances. Reimbursements, including those related to travel and out-of-pocket expenses, are also included in the net service revenues and equivalent amounts of reimbursable expenses are included in costs of revenue. We record substantially all revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent in the presentation of this line of revenues and expenses. We have concluded that gross reporting is appropriate because we have the task of identifying and hiring qualified employees, and our discretion to select the employees and establish their compensation and duties causes us to bear the risk for services that are not fully paid for by customers. Consulting and staffing revenues are recognized when the services are rendered by the temporary employees. We assume the risk of acceptability of the employees to customers. Payments for consulting and staffing services are typically due within 90 days of completion of services.

 

Revenue share revenues represent a percentage of revenue we have earned in relation to client referrals we made to a third party. We record revenue in relation to revenue share on a net basis as an agent under this arrangement. We have concluded that net reporting is appropriate because we do not provide the underlying services and arrangements to meet the demands of the client that we referred to the third party. Revenue is recorded based on a net percentage of revenue that is shared between us and the third party and earned upon delivery of the services by the third party. The third party provides the underlying services in this arrangement.

 

Deferred revenue results from transactions in which we have been paid for services by customers, but for which all revenue recognition criteria have not yet been met. Once all revenue recognition criteria have been met, the deferred revenues are recognized.

 

Sales tax collected is recorded on a net basis and is excluded from revenue. 

 

Contract Assets

 

The Company does not have any contract assets such as work-in-process. All trade receivables on the Company’s balance sheet are from contracts with customers.

 

Contract Costs

 

Costs incurred to obtain a contract are capitalized unless they are short term in nature. As a practical matter, costs to obtain a contract that are short term in nature are expensed as incurred. The Company does not have any contract costs capitalized as of September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.

 

Contract Liabilities - Deferred Revenue

 

The Company’s contract liabilities consist of advance customer payments and deferred revenue. Deferred revenue results from transactions in which the Company has been paid for services by customers, but for which all revenue recognition criteria have not yet been met. Once all revenue recognition criteria have been met, the deferred revenues are recognized.

Revenue Disaggregation

 

For each of the identified periods, revenues can be categorized into the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Recruiters on Demand

 

$46,040

 

 

$4,540,454

 

Consulting and staffing services

 

 

572

 

 

 

99,295

 

Software Subscriptions

 

 

160

 

 

 

693,495

 

Marketplace Solutions

 

 

136,950

 

 

 

309,680

 

Full time placement fees

 

 

-

 

 

 

141,500

 

Revenue Share

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total revenue

 

$183,722

 

 

$5,784,424

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Recruiters on Demand

 

$1,832,795

 

 

$13,430,501

 

Consulting and staffing services

 

 

124,752

 

 

 

903,348

 

Software Subscriptions

 

 

413,101

 

 

 

2,198,232

 

Marketplace Solutions

 

 

517,782

 

 

 

1,005,670

 

Full time placement fees

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

759,075

 

Revenue Share

 

 

102,440

 

 

 

-

 

Total revenue

 

$3,010,870

 

 

$18,296,826

 

 

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, deferred revenue amounted to $182,523 and $215,219, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized approximately $200,000 of revenue that was deferred as of December 31, 2022. Deferred revenue as of September 30, 2023 is categorized and expected to be recognized as follows.

 

Expected Deferred Revenue Recognition Schedule

 

 

 

Total Deferred September 30,

2023

 

 

Recognize Q4

2023

 

 

Recognize

2024

 

Recruiters on Demand

 

$49,371

 

 

$49,371

 

 

$-

 

Marketplace Solutions

 

$133,152

 

 

$102,443

 

 

$30,709

 

TOTAL

 

$182,523

 

 

$151,814

 

 

$30,709

 

 

Revenue from international sources was approximately 0.01% and 1.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Revenue from international sources was approximately 0.02% and 3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Costs of Revenue

 

Costs of revenues consist of employee costs, third party staffing costs and other fees, outsourced recruiter fees and commissions based on a percentage of Recruiting Solutions gross margin.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Credit is extended to customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition and other factors. Management periodically assesses the Company’s accounts receivable and, if necessary, establishes an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. Accounts determined to be uncollectible are charged to operations when that determination is made. The Company usually does not require collateral. We have recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,131,457 and $1,384,186 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Bad debt expense (recovery) was $(24,537)and $115,363 for the three-month periods ending September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and $175,463 and $479,065 for the nine months ending September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized over an asset’s estimated useful life using the straight-line method beginning on the date an asset is placed in service. The Company regularly evaluates the estimated remaining useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment to determine whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Property and equipment depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $6,257 and $3,603 respectively and was $18,772 and $4,084 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Vendors (Continuing Operations)

 

As of September 30, 2023, three customers accounted for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance, for a total of 63%.

 

As of December 31, 2022, there were no customers accounted for more than 10% of the accounts receivable balance.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2023 two customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue at 35%.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2022 one customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue, at 18%.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, there were no customers accounted for more than 10% of total revenue

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, one customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue, at 12% and 10%, for a total of 22%.

 

We used a related party firm located overseas for software development and maintenance related to our website and the platform underlying our operations. One of our former employees and principal shareholders is an employee of this firm and exerts control over this firm (see Note 11).

 

We were a party to a license agreement with a related party firm (see Note 11).  

We had used a related party firm to provide certain employer of record services (see Note 11).

 

Advertising and Marketing Costs

 

The Company expenses all advertising and marketing costs as incurred. Advertising and marketing costs were $85,193 and $342,622 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.  Advertising and marketing costs were $321,229 and $619,418 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively and included in sales and marketing in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company measures and discloses the fair value of assets and liabilities required to be carried at fair value in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a hierarchical framework for measuring fair value, and enhances fair value measurement disclosure.

 

ASC 825 defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions, and risk of nonperformance. ASC 825 establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 825 establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets to which we have access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. 

 

The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The Company’s investment in available for sale securities and warrant derivative liabilities are measured at fair value. The securities are measured based on current trading prices using Level 1 fair value inputs. The Company’s derivative instruments are valued using Level 3 fair value inputs. The Company’s contingent accrued earn-out business acquisition consideration liability was considered Level 3 fair value liability instruments requiring period fair value assessments. Contingent consideration liabilities are recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and are re-measured quarterly based on the then assessed fair value and adjusted if necessary. The increases or decreases in the fair value of contingent consideration can result from changes in anticipated revenue levels and changes in assumed discount periods and rates. As the fair value measure is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, they are categorized as Level 3. In April 2022, the earn-out liability was forgiven in full and recorded as a gain on debt extinguishment on the consolidated statement of operations. In fair valuing these instruments, the income valuation approach is applied, and the valuation inputs include the contingent payment arrangement terms, projected revenues and cash flows, rate of return, and probability assessments. The Company does not have any other financial instruments which require re-measurement to fair value. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, and loans payable represent fair value based upon their short-term nature. 

For the Company’s earn-out liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), the following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance for each category therein, and gains or losses recognized during the periods ended September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

Beginning balance, December 31, 2021

 

$578,591

 

Re-measurement adjustments:

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of earn-out liability

 

 

26,604

 

Gain on debt extinguishment

 

 

(605,195 )

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2022

 

 

-

 

Re-measurement adjustments:

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of earn-out liability

 

 

-

 

Ending balance, September 30, 2023

 

$-

 

  

Business Combinations

 

For all business combinations (whether partial, full or step acquisitions), the Company records 100% of all assets and liabilities of the acquired business, generally at their fair values with any excess of purchase price over the net assets recorded as goodwill.

 

Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of the tangible net assets and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized separately from business combinations and are expensed as incurred. If the business combination provides for contingent consideration, the Company records the contingent consideration at fair value at the acquisition date. Changes in fair value of contingent consideration resulting from events after the acquisition date, such as earn-outs, are recognized as follows: 1) if the contingent consideration is classified as equity, the contingent consideration is not re-measured and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity, or 2) if the contingent consideration is classified as a liability, the changes in fair value and accretion costs are recognized in earnings. The increases or decreases in the fair value of contingent consideration can result from changes in anticipated revenue levels and changes in assumed discount periods and rates.

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consist primarily of the assets acquired from Genesys in the third quarter of 2019, including customer contracts and intellectual property, the assets acquired from Scouted and Upsider during the first quarter of 2021, the assets acquired from OneWire during the second quarter of 2021, and the assets acquired from Parrut and Novo Group during the third quarter of 2021. Amortization expense is recorded on the straight-line basis over the estimated economic lives.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill is comprised of the purchase price of business combinations in excess of the fair value assigned at acquisition to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized. The Company tests goodwill for impairment for its reporting units on an annual basis, or when events occur, or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment assessment on December 31st of each year or as impairment indicators dictate (see Note 5).

 

When evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill, management first assess a range of qualitative factors, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for the Company’s products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and the overall financial performance for each of the Company’s reporting units. If, after completing this assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we then proceed to the quantitative impairment testing methodology.

 

Under the quantitative method we compare the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, with its fair value, as determined using an appropriate valuation method. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the amount of impairment to be recognized is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value.

 

When required, we may arrive at our estimates of fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology which includes estimates of future cash flows to be generated by specifically identified assets, as well as selecting a discount rate to measure the present value of those anticipated cash flows. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment and includes making assumptions about projected growth rates, industry-specific factors, working capital requirements, weighted average cost of capital, and current and anticipated operating conditions. The use of different assumptions or estimates for future cash flows could produce different results.

      

Long-lived assets

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the book value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment. When impairment indicators exist, the Company estimates the future undiscounted net cash flows of the related asset or asset group over the remaining life of the asset in measuring whether the long-lived asset should be written down to fair value. Measurement of the amount of impairment would be based on generally accepted valuation methodologies, as deemed appropriate. If the carrying amount is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to the asset’s fair value. An impairment loss is recognized immediately as an operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Reversal of previously recorded impairment losses are prohibited (see Note 5).

 

Software Costs

 

We capitalize certain software development costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use when both the preliminary project stage is completed, and it is probable that the software will be used as intended. Capitalization ceases after the software is operational; however, certain upgrades and enhancements may be capitalized if they add functionality. Capitalized software costs include only (i) external direct costs of materials and services utilized in developing or obtaining software, (ii) compensation and related benefits for employees who are directly associated with the software project and (iii) interest costs incurred while developing internal-use software.

 

Income Taxes

 

We utilize ASC 740 “Income Taxes” which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.

The Company recognizes the impact of a tax position in the financial statements only if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Our practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties, if any, related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We account for our stock-based compensation under ASC 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation” using the fair value based method. Under this method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the shorter of the service period or the vesting period of the stock-based compensation. This guidance establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based compensation at the grant date under this model requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation represent the Company’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment.

     

Convertible Instruments

 

The Company evaluates and accounts for conversion options embedded in its convertible instruments in accordance with various accounting standards.

 

ASC 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities From Equity” provides that instruments convertible predominantly at a fixed rate resulting in a fixed monetary amount due upon conversion with a variable quantity of shares (“stock settled debt”) be recorded as a liability at the fixed monetary amount.

 

ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” generally provides three criteria that, if met, require companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free-standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur, and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument. Professional standards also provide an exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional as defined under professional standards as “The Meaning of Conventional Convertible Debt Instrument.”

 

ASC 815-40 provides that generally if an event is not within the entity’s control and could require net cash settlement, then the contract shall be classified as an asset or a liability.

 

Product Development

 

Product development costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and consist of support, maintenance and upgrades of our website and our Platform and are charged to operations as incurred.

 

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

The Company follows ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share” for calculating the basic and diluted earnings (or loss) per share. Basic earnings (or loss) per share are computed by dividing earnings (or loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (or loss) per share is computed similar to basic loss per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potential shares of common stock had been issued and if the additional shares were dilutive. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the diluted earnings (or loss) per share computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Common stock equivalents in amounts of 1,039,501 and 895,491 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, because their effects would have been anti-dilutive.

   

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Options

 

 

218,551

 

 

 

248,114

 

Stock awards

 

 

-

 

 

 

10,195

 

Warrants

 

 

792,283

 

 

 

608,515

 

Convertible preferred stock

 

 

28,667

 

 

 

28,667

 

 

 

 

1,039,501

 

 

 

895,491

 

 

Business Segments

 

The Company uses the “management approach” to identify its reportable segments. The management approach designates the internal organization used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the basis for identifying the Company’s reportable segments. Using the management approach, the Company determined that it has one operating segment.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

There have not been any recent changes in accounting pronouncements and ASU issued by the FASB that are of significance or potential significance to the Company except as disclosed below.

 

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.” This ASU requires contract assets and contract liabilities (e.g. deferred revenue) acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. Generally, this new guidance will result in the acquirer recognizing contract assets and contract liabilities at the same amounts recorded by the acquiree. Historically, such amounts were recognized by the acquirer at fair value in purchase accounting. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including in interim periods, for any financial statements that have not yet been issued. On January 1, 2023 the adoption of ASU 2021-08 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets, including accounts receivable. ASU No. 2016-13 will replace today’s “incurred loss” approach with an “expected loss” model, under which companies will recognize allowances based on expected rather than incurred losses. On November 15, 2019, the FASB delayed the effective date of Topic 326 for certain small public companies and other private companies until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 for SEC filers that are eligible to be smaller reporting companies under the SEC’s definition, as well as private companies and not-for-profit entities.

 

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The guidance was issued as improvements to ASU No. 2016-13 described above. The vintage disclosure changes require an entity to disclose current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption of ASU 2022-02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.