Workiva Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK), the world’s leading cloud platform for assured integrated reporting, today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

“Workiva is once again in a beat and raise position. Our results highlight an acceleration of our growth and improved operating leverage,” said Julie Iskow, President & Chief Executive Officer. “We delivered another record bookings quarter with broad based demand across the entire solution portfolio and a high volume of account expansion deals and platform wins across North America and Europe.”

“Subscription and support revenue growth of 19% drove our total revenue beat to $2.6 million over the high end of our guidance range,” said Jill Klindt, Chief Financial Officer. “Due to our solid performance, we are raising our total revenue guidance by $6 million to a range of $733 million to $735 million.”

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Revenue: Total revenue for the third quarter of 2024 reached $186 million, an increase of 17% from $158 million in the third quarter of 2023. Subscription and support revenue contributed $171 million, up 19% versus the third quarter of 2023. Professional services revenue was $15 million, relatively flat compared to the same quarter in the prior year.
Gross Profit: GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of 2024 was $142 million compared with $120 million in the same quarter of 2023. GAAP gross margin was 76.5% versus 75.8% in the third quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP gross profit for the third quarter of 2024 was $146 million, an increase of 20% compared with the prior year’s third quarter, and non-GAAP gross margin was 78.6% compared to 76.9% in the third quarter of 2023.
Results from Operations: GAAP loss from operations for the third quarter of 2024 was $22 million compared with a loss of $16 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Non-GAAP income from operations was $8 million compared with non-GAAP income from operations of $5 million in the third quarter of 2023.
GAAP Net Loss: GAAP net loss for the third quarter of 2024 was $17 million compared with a net loss of $56 million for the prior year’s third quarter. GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share was $0.31 compared with a net loss per basic and diluted share of $1.04 in the third quarter of 2023.
Non-GAAP Net Income/Loss: Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $12 million compared with a net loss of $35 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Non-GAAP net income per basic share and diluted share was $0.22 and $0.21, respectively, compared with a net loss per basic share and diluted share of $0.65 in the third quarter of 2023.
Liquidity: As of September 30, 2024, Workiva had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $776 million, compared with $814 million as of December 31, 2023. Workiva had $71 million aggregate principal amount of 1.125% convertible senior notes due in 2026, $702 million aggregate principal amount of 1.250% convertible senior notes due in 2028, and $14 million of finance lease obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2024.

Key Metrics and Recent Business Highlights

Customers: Workiva had 6,237 customers as of September 30, 2024, a net increase of 292 customers from September 30, 2023.
Revenue Retention Rate: As of September 30, 2024, Workiva’s revenue retention rate (excluding add-on revenue) was 98%, and the revenue retention rate including add-on revenue was 111%. Add-on revenue includes changes in both solutions and pricing for existing customers.
Large Contracts: As of September 30, 2024, Workiva had 1,926 customers with an annual contract value (“ACV”) of more than $100,000, up 23% from 1,561 customers at September 30, 2023. Workiva had 383 customers with an ACV of more than $300,000, up 29% from 296 customers in the third quarter of 2023. Workiva had 166 customers with an ACV of more than $500,000, up 28% from 130 customers in the third quarter of 2023.

Financial Outlook

As of November 6, 2024, Workiva is providing guidance as follows:

Fourth Quarter 2024 Guidance:

Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $194 million to $196 million.
GAAP loss from operations is expected to be in the range of $16 million to $14 million.
Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be in the range of $13 million to $15 million.
GAAP net loss per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.21 to $0.18.
Non-GAAP net income per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.31 to $0.34.
Net income (loss) per basic share is based on 55.8 million weighted-average shares outstanding.

Full Year 2024 Guidance:

Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $733 million to $735 million.
GAAP loss from operations is expected to be in the range of $79 million to $77 million.
Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be in the range of $30 million to $32 million.
GAAP net loss per basic share is expected to be in the range of $1.05 to $1.02.
Non-GAAP net income per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.93 to $0.96.
Net income (loss) per basic share is based on 55.4 million weighted-average shares outstanding.

Quarterly Conference Call

Workiva will host a webcast today at 5:00 p.m. ET to review the Company’s financial results for the third quarter 2024, in addition to discussing the Company’s outlook for the fourth quarter and full year 2024. The webcast will be available on https://investor.workiva.com/news-events/events. An archived webcast will also be available an hour after the completion of the call in the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at www.workiva.com.

About Workiva

Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK) is on a mission to power transparent reporting for a better world. We build and deliver the world’s leading cloud platform for assured integrated reporting to meet stakeholder demands for action, transparency, and disclosure of financial and non-financial data. Workiva offers the only unified SaaS platform that brings customers’ financial reporting, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data together in a controlled, secure, audit-ready platform. Our platform simplifies the most complex reporting and disclosure challenges by streamlining processes, connecting data and teams, and ensuring consistency. Learn more at workiva.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The non-GAAP adjustments referenced herein relate to the exclusion of stock-based compensation and amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP historical financial measures has been provided in Table I at the end of this press release. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP guidance has been provided in Table II at the end of this press release.

Workiva believes that the use of non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, non-GAAP income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss) per share is helpful to its investors. These measures, which are referred to as non-GAAP financial measures, are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. Non-GAAP gross profit is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense attributable to cost of revenues from gross profit. Non-GAAP gross margin is the ratio calculated by dividing non-GAAP gross profit by revenues. Non-GAAP income (loss) from operations is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense and amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets from loss from operations. Non-GAAP net income (loss) is calculated by excluding stock-based compensation expense, net of tax and amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets from net loss. Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income (loss) by the weighted- average shares outstanding as presented in the calculation of GAAP net loss per share. Because of varying available valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and the variety of equity instruments that can impact a company’s non-cash expenses, Workiva believes that providing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation expense allows for more meaningful comparisons between its operating results from period to period. For business combinations, we generally allocate a portion of the purchase price to intangible assets. The amount of the allocation is based on estimates and assumptions made by management and is subject to amortization. The amount of purchase price allocated to intangible assets and the term of its related amortization can vary significantly and are unique to each acquisition and thus we do not believe it is reflective of ongoing operations. Workiva’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as tools for financial and operational decision making and for evaluating Workiva’s own operating results over different periods of time.

Non-GAAP financial measures may not provide information that is directly comparable to that provided by other companies in Workiva’s industry, as other companies in the industry may calculate non-GAAP financial results differently. In addition, there are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and exclude expenses that may have a material impact on Workiva’s reported financial results. Further, stock-based compensation expense has been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in Workiva’s business and an important part of the compensation provided to its employees. The presentation of non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Investors should review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures included below, and not rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Workiva’s business.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of the Company or its industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In particular, statements about the Company’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or future performance contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “outlook,” “guidance” or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology.

Please see the Company’s documents filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual reports filed on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and any amendments thereto for a discussion of certain important risk factors that relate to forward-looking statements contained in this report. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These and other important factors may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

WORKIVA INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
	(unaudited)
Revenue
Subscription and support	$	171,035		$	143,421		$	486,749		$	409,857
Professional services		14,586			14,754			52,042			53,529
Total revenue		185,621			158,175			538,791			463,386
Cost of revenue
Subscription and support ⁽¹⁾		30,621			24,864			86,493			74,080
Professional services ⁽¹⁾		13,050			13,491			39,873			42,297
Total cost of revenue		43,671			38,355			126,366			116,377
Gross profit		141,950			119,820			412,425			347,009
Operating expenses
Research and development ⁽¹⁾		48,425			41,747			142,328			130,235
Sales and marketing ⁽¹⁾		89,756			72,576			257,086			215,168
General and administrative ⁽¹⁾		25,551			21,022			76,225			86,660
Total operating expenses		163,732			135,345			475,639			432,063
Loss from operations		(21,782	)		(15,525	)		(63,214	)		(85,054	)
Interest income		9,298			7,294			30,089			15,546
Interest expense		(3,199	)		(47,437	)		(9,668	)		(50,437	)
Other expense, net		(350	)		(71	)		(309	)		(1,450	)
Loss before provision for income taxes		(16,033	)		(55,739	)		(43,102	)		(121,395	)
Provision for income taxes		959			530			3,125			1,934
Net loss	$	(16,992	)	$	(56,269	)	$	(46,227	)	$	(123,329	)
Net loss per common share:
Basic and diluted	$	(0.31	)	$	(1.04	)	$	(0.84	)	$	(2.28	)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted		55,581,841			54,256,941			55,226,254			53,987,791

(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
	(unaudited)
Cost of revenue
Subscription and support	$	2,164	$	1,247	$	5,708	$	3,732
Professional services		858		623		2,348		1,923
Operating expenses
Research and development		5,681		4,155		15,474		13,677
Sales and marketing		9,942		7,108		26,470		20,769
General and administrative		8,825		6,244		25,879		37,928

WORKIVA INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands)
	September 30, 2024			December 31, 2023
	(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	248,239		$	256,100
Marketable securities		528,115			557,622
Accounts receivable, net		137,921			125,193
Deferred costs		44,726			39,023
Other receivables		8,646			7,367
Prepaid expenses and other		21,055			23,631
Total current assets		988,702			1,008,936
Property and equipment, net		21,757			24,282
Operating lease right-of-use assets		9,485			12,642
Deferred costs, non-current		43,557			33,346
Goodwill		202,133			112,097
Intangible assets, net		30,278			22,892
Other assets		6,174			4,665
Total assets	$	1,302,086		$	1,218,860
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	13,346		$	5,204
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		111,029			97,921
Deferred revenue		414,229			380,843
Finance lease obligations		555			532
Total current liabilities		539,159			484,500
Convertible senior notes, non-current		764,281			762,455
Deferred revenue, non-current		27,527			36,177
Other long-term liabilities		236			178
Operating lease liabilities, non-current		8,062			10,890
Finance lease obligations, non-current		13,631			14,050
Total liabilities		1,352,896			1,308,250
Stockholders’ deficit
Common stock		56			54
Additional paid-in-capital		645,083			562,942
Accumulated deficit		(698,868	)		(652,641	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		2,919			255
Total stockholders’ deficit		(50,810	)		(89,390	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	1,302,086		$	1,218,860

WORKIVA INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)
	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(16,992	)	$	(56,269	)	$	(46,227	)	$	(123,329	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		3,006			2,686			8,092			8,353
Stock-based compensation expense		27,470			19,377			75,879			78,029
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts		57			8			(46	)		57
Accretion of premiums and discounts on marketable securities, net		(2,638	)		(1,930	)		(9,543	)		(4,530	)
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs		609			472			1,826			1,122
Induced conversion expense		—			45,144			—			45,144
Realized loss on sale of available-for-sale securities, net		—			—			—			708
Deferred income tax		(1	)		(14	)		(292	)		(17	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(15,187	)		(15,234	)		(11,507	)		7,243
Deferred costs		(4,946	)		3,116			(15,140	)		6,248
Operating lease right-of-use asset		1,210			1,244			3,808			3,807
Other receivables		(1,745	)		(1,556	)		2,796			(1,842	)
Prepaid expenses and other		344			3,452			2,764			(3,985	)
Other assets		464			1,043			(1,191	)		1,479
Accounts payable		4,788			(386	)		7,630			(1,267	)
Deferred revenue		26,606			11,120			22,159			22,225
Operating lease liability		(878	)		(750	)		(2,831	)		(3,129	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(3,261	)		3,468			5,559			10,217
Net cash provided by operating activities		18,906			14,991			43,736			46,533
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment		(243	)		(895	)		(554	)		(1,732	)
Purchase of marketable securities		(158,522	)		(144,989	)		(310,075	)		(322,008	)
Maturities of marketable securities		108,993			36,906			345,733			76,811
Sale of marketable securities		—			—			4,609			65,052
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		187			—			(98,093	)		—
Purchase of intangible assets		(44	)		(48	)		(116	)		(167	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(49,629	)		(109,026	)		(58,496	)		(182,044	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from option exercises		3,273			1,120			3,865			3,324
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards		(1,173	)		(984	)		(11,424	)		(9,424	)
Proceeds from shares issued in connection with employee stock purchase plan		6,709			6,967			13,822			12,513
Proceeds from the issuance of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs		—			691,113			—			691,113
Payments for repurchase of convertible senior notes		—			(396,869	)		—			(396,869	)
Principal payments on finance lease obligations		(134	)		(127	)		(395	)		(376	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		8,675			301,220			5,868			300,281
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash		2,390			(1,239	)		925			(82	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(19,658	)		205,946			(7,967	)		164,688
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period		268,412			198,939			256,721			240,197
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period	$	248,754		$	404,885		$	248,754		$	404,885

	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash to the consolidated balance sheets
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	248,239	$	404,885	$	248,239	$	404,885
Restricted cash included within prepaid expenses and other at end of period		515		—		515		—
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows	$	248,754	$	404,885	$	248,754	$	404,885

TABLE I WORKIVA INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP INFORMATION (in thousands, except share and per share)
	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2024			2023			2024			2023
Gross profit, subscription and support	$	140,414		$	118,557		$	400,256		$	335,777
Add back: Stock-based compensation		2,164			1,247			5,708			3,732
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles	$	1,007		$	—		$	1,007		$	—
Gross profit, subscription and support, non-GAAP	$	143,585		$	119,804		$	406,971		$	339,509

Gross profit, professional services	$	1,536		$	1,263		$	12,169		$	11,232
Add back: Stock-based compensation		858			623			2,348			1,923
Gross profit, professional services, non-GAAP	$	2,394		$	1,886		$	14,517		$	13,155

Gross profit	$	141,950		$	119,820		$	412,425		$	347,009
Add back: Stock-based compensation		3,022			1,870			8,056			5,655
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles	$	1,007		$	—		$	1,007		$	—
Gross profit, non-GAAP	$	145,979		$	121,690		$	421,488		$	352,664

Cost of revenue, subscription and support	$	30,621		$	24,864		$	86,493		$	74,080
Less: Stock-based compensation		2,164			1,247			5,708			3,732
Less: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles	$	1,007		$	—		$	1,007		$	—
Cost of revenue, subscription and support, non-GAAP	$	27,450		$	23,617		$	79,778		$	70,348

Cost of revenue, professional services	$	13,050		$	13,491		$	39,873		$	42,297
Less: Stock-based compensation		858			623			2,348			1,923
Cost of revenue, professional services, non-GAAP	$	12,192		$	12,868		$	37,525		$	40,374

Research and development	$	48,425		$	41,747		$	142,328		$	130,235
Less: Stock-based compensation		5,681			4,155			15,474			13,677
Less: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles		414			891			2,267			2,668
Research and development, non-GAAP	$	42,330		$	36,701		$	124,587		$	113,890

Sales and marketing	$	89,756		$	72,576		$	257,086		$	215,168
Less: Stock-based compensation		9,942			7,108			26,470			20,769
Less: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles		467			598			1,292			1,805
Sales and marketing, non-GAAP	$	79,347		$	64,870		$	229,324		$	192,594

General and administrative	$	25,551		$	21,022		$	76,225		$	86,660
Less: Stock-based compensation		8,825			6,244			25,879			37,928
General and administrative, non-GAAP	$	16,726		$	14,778		$	50,346		$	48,732

Loss from operations	$	(21,782	)	$	(15,525	)	$	(63,214	)	$	(85,054	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation		27,470			19,377			75,879			78,029
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles		1,889			1,489			4,566			4,473
Income (loss) from operations, non-GAAP	$	7,577		$	5,341		$	17,231		$	(2,552	)

Net loss	$	(16,992	)	$	(56,269	)	$	(46,227	)	$	(123,329	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation		27,470			19,377			75,879			78,029
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles		1,889			1,489			4,566			4,473
Net income (loss), non-GAAP	$	12,367		$	(35,403	)	$	34,218		$	(40,827	)

Net loss per basic and diluted share:	$	(0.31	)	$	(1.04	)	$	(0.84	)	$	(2.28	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation		0.50			0.36			1.38			1.44
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles		0.03			0.03			0.08			0.08
Net income (loss) per basic share, non-GAAP	$	0.22		$	(0.65	)	$	0.62		$	(0.76	)
Net income (loss) per diluted share, non-GAAP	$	0.21		$	(0.65	)	$	0.60		$	(0.76	)

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic, non-GAAP		55,581,841			54,256,941			55,226,254			53,987,791
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted, non-GAAP		57,557,373			54,256,941			57,361,707			53,987,791

TABLE II WORKIVA INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP GUIDANCE (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three months ending December 31, 2024							Year ending December 31, 2024

Loss from operations, GAAP range	$	(16,186	)	–	$	(14,186	)	$	(79,400	)	–	$	(77,400	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation		27,121				27,121			103,000				103,000
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles		1,834				1,834			6,400				6,400
Income from operations, non-GAAP range	$	12,769		–	$	14,769		$	30,000		–	$	32,000

Net loss per share, GAAP range	$	(0.21	)	–	$	(0.18	)	$	(1.05	)	–	$	(1.02	)
Add back: Stock-based compensation		0.49				0.49			1.86				1.86
Add back: Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles		0.03				0.03			0.12				0.12
Net income per share, non-GAAP range	$	0.31		–	$	0.34		$	0.93		–	$	0.96

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic		55,800,000				55,800,000			55,400,000				55,400,000

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