Release Details

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK), the world’s leading cloud platform for assured integrated reporting, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

"Workiva closed out the year with another solid quarter," said Workiva CEO Julie Iskow. "Our solid fourth-quarter and full year results demonstrate the durability of our business and the ongoing market adoption for our assured integrated reporting platform. Leading organizations are investing in our strategic platform that brings together financial reporting, GRC, and ESG. We shine where data consistency, integrity and accuracy are critical and narrative is required."

"For Q4, we exceeded our revenue guidance by $2 million dollars," said Workiva CFO Jill Klindt. "Our platform approach continues to drive performance. In the quarter, we generated 64% of our subscription revenue from customers with multiple solutions. We finished the year strong with 2023 subscription revenue growth of 20%, and we generated $71 million dollars in operating cash flow, the strongest cash-flow performance in Workiva's history."

Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results

• Revenue: Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 reached $167 million, an increase of 16% from $144 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Subscription and support revenue contributed $149 million, up 18% versus the fourth quarter of 2022. Professional services revenue was $18 million, relatively flat compared to the same quarter in the prior year.
• Gross Profit: GAAP gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $129 million compared with $109 million in the same quarter of 2022. GAAP gross margin was 77.3% versus 76.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $131 million, an increase of 18% compared with the prior year's fourth quarter, and non-GAAP gross margin was 78.4% compared to 77.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Results from Operations: GAAP loss from operations for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $9 million compared with a loss of $13 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. Non-GAAP income from operations was $13 million compared with non-GAAP income from operations of $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• GAAP Net Loss: GAAP net loss for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $4 million compared with a net loss of $14 million for the prior year's fourth quarter. GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share was $0.08 compared with a net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.26 in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Non-GAAP Net Income: Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was $18 million compared with net income of $4 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. Non-GAAP net income per basic share was $0.33 and net income per diluted share was $0.30 compared with net income per basic share and diluted share of $0.08 in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Liquidity: As of December 31, 2023, Workiva had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $814 million, compared with $431 million as of December 31, 2022. In August 2023, we issued $702.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.250% convertible senior notes due in 2028. We used $396.9 million of the net proceeds from the 2028 Notes offering to repurchase $273.8 million principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, of our 2026 Notes. 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 $15 million of finance lease obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2023.

Key Metrics and Recent Business Highlights

• Customers: Workiva had 6,034 customers as of December 31, 2023, a net increase of 370 customers from December 31, 2022.
• Revenue Retention Rate: As of December 31, 2023, Workiva's revenue retention rate (excluding add-on revenue) was 98%, and the revenue retention rate including add-on revenue was 110%. Add-on revenue includes changes in both solutions and pricing for existing customers.
• Large Contracts: As of December 31, 2023, Workiva had 1,631 customers with an annual contract value (“ACV”) of more than $100,000, up 21% from 1,345 customers at December 31, 2022. Workiva had 915 customers with an ACV of more than $150,000, up 27% from 718 customers in the fourth quarter of 2022. Workiva had 311 customers with an ACV of more than $300,000, up 32% from 236 customers in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Full Year 2023 Financial Results

• Revenue: Total revenue for the full year 2023 reached $630 million, an increase of 17% from $538 million in 2022. Subscription and support revenue contributed $559 million, up 20% compared to 2022. Professional services revenue was $71 million, a decrease of 2% compared to the prior year.
• Gross Profit: GAAP gross profit for 2023 was $476 million compared with $408 million in 2022. GAAP gross margin was 75.6% versus 75.9% in the prior year. Non-GAAP gross profit for 2023 was $483 million, an increase of 17% compared to 2022, and non-GAAP gross margin was 76.7% compared to 76.9%.
• Results from Operations: GAAP loss from operations for 2023 was $95 million compared with a loss of $89 million in the prior year. Non-GAAP income from operations was $10 million, compared with a non-GAAP loss from operations of $13 million in 2022.
• GAAP Net Loss: GAAP net loss for 2023 was $128 million compared with a net loss of $91 million in the prior year. GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share was $2.36 compared with a net loss per basic and diluted share of $1.72 in 2022.
• Non-GAAP Net Loss: Non-GAAP net loss for 2023 was $23 million compared with a net loss of $15 million in the prior year. Non-GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share was $0.42, compared with a net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.29 in 2022. In connection with the partial repurchase of our convertible notes due in 2026 described above, we recorded a loss on induced conversion of $45.1 million which was recorded as interest expense.
• Cash Flow: Net cash provided by operating activities was $71 million in 2023, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $11 million in 2022.

Financial Outlook

As of February 20, 2024, Workiva is providing guidance as follows:

First Quarter 2024 Guidance:

• Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $173 million to $175 million.
• GAAP loss from operations is expected to be in the range of $20.5 million to $18.5 million.
• Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be in the range of $4 million to $6 million.
• GAAP net loss per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.29 to $0.25.
• Non-GAAP net income per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.15 to $0.19.
• Net income (loss) per basic share is based on 55.0 million weighted-average shares outstanding.

Full Year 2024 Guidance:

• Total revenue is expected to be in the range of $718 million to $722 million.
• GAAP loss from operations is expected to be in the range of $85 million to $81 million.
• Non-GAAP income from operations is expected to be in the range of $17 million to $21 million.
• GAAP net loss per basic share is expected to be in the range of $1.28 to $1.21.
• Non-GAAP net income per basic share is expected to be in the range of $0.56 to $0.63.
• Net income (loss) per basic share is based on 55.3 million weighted-average shares outstanding.

Quarterly Conference Call

Workiva will host a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. ET to review the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2023, in addition to discussing the Company’s outlook for the first quarter and full year 2024. To access this call, dial 888-330-2469 (U.S. domestic) or 240-789-2740 (international). The conference ID is 8736384. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible in the "Investors" section of Workiva’s website at www.workiva.com. A replay of this conference call can also be accessed through February 27, 2024, at 800-770-2030 (U.S. domestic) or 647-362-9199 (international). The replay pass code is 8736384. An archived webcast of this conference call 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, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) 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.

Safe Harbor Statement

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.