KANSAS CITY, MO -- (Marketwire) -- 07/22/09 -- H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) confirmed today
that it has received a notice of intent (the "Notice") by the accounting
firm McGladrey & Pullen LLP ("M&P") to terminate the Administrative
Services Agreement dated as of January 30, 2006 (the "Services Agreement")
between RSM McGladrey, Inc. ("RSM") and M&P. RSM is a wholly owned
subsidiary of H&R Block, while M&P is a professional services partnership
fully independent of H&R Block. RSM provides tax and consulting services
to thousands of clients across the United States every year. Through its
contractual arrangement with M&P, attest services have also been available
to such clients. Unless revoked or modified prior to that time, the effect
of the Notice will be to terminate the Services Agreement in 210 days (the
"Notice Period").
"We believe the path proposed by certain of M&P's leaders is fraught with
significant business and financial risk and is not in the best interest of
M&P partners, employees or clients. Whether the full M&P partnership is
willing to assume these immense risks remains to be seen. Regardless of
M&P's final decision regarding its relationship with us, RSM will continue
to provide the superb tax and consulting services that our clients enjoy
today," said Russ Smyth, H&R Block President and CEO. "We would prefer to
continue working cooperatively to build better client service capabilities
and to capitalize on opportunities for future mutually beneficial growth.
However, if necessary, we are fully prepared to replace M&P in the overall
business, and to make the necessary arrangements to assist clients
transitioning their attest work," added Mr. Smyth.
Under the terms of the Services Agreement, RSM provides various services to
M&P. As set forth more fully in the Company's recent Annual Report on Form
10-K, among other things M&P has received a significant line of credit from
RSM to finance its receivables and working capital, as well as office
space. M&P has also received the benefit of substantial capital
investments from H&R Block affiliates to assist in acquisitions of
professional services firms, to develop software and other technology for
attest and other practices, and to support the overall development of the
business.
During the Notice Period the existing agreements among the parties remain
in effect. RSM has previously discussed possible modifications of the
terms of the Services Agreement with several individual board members of
M&P. RSM expects that it will continue to discuss a variety of issues
pertaining to its relationship with M&P during the Notice Period.
In the event the Notice is not withdrawn prior to becoming effective, RSM
will enforce the extensive rights it has under all agreements with M&P to
the fullest possible extent, including contractual noncompetition
provisions limiting the future activities of both M&P and certain
individual M&P partners. However, RSM believes that the existing
relationship provides a proven framework for meeting client needs, while
also offering opportunities for the M&P partners and staff to participate
in future growth opportunities.
About H&R Block
H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world's preeminent tax services provider,
having prepared more than 500 million tax returns since 1955. In fiscal
2009, H&R Block had annual revenues of $4.1 billion and prepared more than
24 million tax returns worldwide, utilizing more than 120,000 highly
trained tax professionals. The Company provides tax return preparation
services in person, online through H&R Block Online, through its TaxCut®
software and through other channels. The Company is also one of the
leading providers of business services through RSM McGladrey. For more
information visit our Online Press Center at www.hrblock.com.
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