Talenom Plc’s Business Review January-March 2023: Growth continued as strong in line with the selected strategy

Talenom Plc, Stock exchange release, 20 April 2023 at 9:00 EEST

Talenom Plc’s Business Review January-March 2023: Growth continued as strong in line with the selected strategy

January-March 2023 in brief

• Net sales EUR 31.3 million (25.2), growth 24.2% (24.1)
• EBITDA EUR 8.4 million (8.9), 26.7% (35.2) of net sales
• Operating profit (EBIT) EUR 3.5 million (4.9), 11.0% (19.3) of net sales
• Net profit EUR 2.1 million (3.7)
• Earnings per share EUR 0.05 (0.09)
  
  

Key figures

Guidance for 2023 unchanged

Talenom estimates that 2023 net sales will be about EUR 120–130 million and that its euro-denominated EBITDA and operating profit will grow from 2022.

CEO Otto-Pekka Huhtala 

Talenom wants to promote the digitalization of Europe's SMEs. We believe, the time for strong growth is now, because the European financial management market is becoming digitalized and consolidated. This change is accelerated by several ongoing significant structural changes in the industry. For example, the introduction of the e-invoicing directive in the EU will force every company to implement software that enables sending and receiving e-invoices. We have systematically developed our systems to respond to the changes in the operating environment brought on by digitalization. We have, thus, chosen strong growth as a strategic focus area in many different European countries, although it will burden our short-term relative profitability. 

During the first quarter, we made determined progress on strategic priorities:  

1. Accelerating digital distribution progressed with the new website and a unified brand. The digital purchasing path was simplified, which is visible as more successful sales. TiliJaska’s products have now been replaced with Talenom and Talenom One products. 
2. Distribution of banking services progressed and Talenom Accounts are being used by test customers. We are gradually expanding the distribution of accounts and cards during spring.  
3. In Sweden, implementation of own software has, during the season, focused on refining functionalities and introducing new features such as the PSD2 directive. The PSD2 directive imposes an obligation to open bank interfaces across the EU, allowing banking services to be integrated into the accounting firm’s service offering. This provides easy payment for customers and makes the accountant's work more efficient. Based on the experience in Finland, the introduction of Talenom’s processes and accounting software will reduce routine work to up to a quarter of the current time spent on such tasks.  
4. The project to improve the productivity of acquisition targets progressed. We standardized an effective integration model to take over acquisition targets.  

In the first quarter, our net sales increased by 24.2% (24.1) to EUR 31.3 million (25.2), which was slightly below the targeted level due to volume-based and consultative invoicing and the exchange rate effect of the weak SEK. The growth was based on several acquisitions in Sweden and Spain and strong organic growth in Finland. EBITDA was EUR 8.4 million (8.9) and the EBITDA margin was still strong at 26.7% (35.2). EBITDA was depressed by the system platform acquired in Spain in autumn 2022 that had a weakening effect of around EUR 0.5 million (0.0) on EBITDA. In addition, the weakening effect of non-recurring items related to acquisitions and other expenses was EUR 0.5 million compared to the comparison period. Operating profit was EUR 3.5 million (4.9) and the EBIT margin was 11.0% (19.3). Relative profitability was depressed by our planned investments in growth, wage inflation, as well as integration and other costs arising from acquisitions. 

In Finland, net sales grew by 11.5% (16.5) to EUR 23.4 million (21.0). EBITDA was EUR 8.3 million (8.3). The EBITDA margin was excellent at 35.4% (39.5). Increased costs were not passed on to customer prices until the end of the reporting period, which was reflected in weakened relative profitability. The very strong performance of the Finnish business continued. The working time freed up by the high degree of automation enabled delivery of more extensive monthly service packages. Thanks to more extensive services we managed to win over more new customers than targeted. 

In Sweden, growth continued as strong driven by acquisitions. Net sales grew by 68.6% (73.1) to EUR 6.7 million (4.0). EBITDA was EUR 0.8 million (0.5) representing 11.9% (11.6) of net sales. The weak Swedish krona had a negative impact on euro-denominated net sales and EBITDA development. Sweden's profitability is still burdened by strengthening the organization as planned and accelerating integration, as well as implementation of the own software. These costs are front-loaded.  

In Spain, acquisition-driven growth accelerated. We have utilized our experience of becoming established in Sweden and strengthened resources in management on a front-loaded basis while simplifying and accelerating integration processes. In Spain, we also harmonized our product offering to boost growth and launched robotics projects to improve process efficiency. Measured by EBITDA, the Spanish accounting business is profitable. The profitability of the Spanish business is burdened by the platform business. The platform enables customer segmentation, which supports future profitability growth. In Italy, we continue to learn about the market and operating environment through the acquisition we completed.  

The profitability of the first quarter was mainly depressed by non-recurring costs related to acquisitions and the Spanish platform business. In Spain, we are moving to a more profitable customer segment in the platform business and implementing changes in processes that improve profitability. We also expect the profitability of Finland's business to improve thanks to price increases. 

We keep our guidance unchanged. We estimate that our 2023 net sales will be about EUR 120–130 million and that euro-denominated EBITDA and operating profit will grow from 2022.

Group financial development January–March 2023

Net sales increased by 24.2% to EUR 31.3 million (25.2). Some 60% of the increase in net sales came from acquisitions and some 40% organically through growth in customer numbers and sales of value-added services in Finland.

Personnel costs amounted to EUR 18.1 million (13.4) representing 57.8% (53.2) of net sales. Other operating expenses, including materials and services, totalled EUR 5.1 million (3.4) or 16.1% (13.5) of net sales.

EBITDA decreased by -5.6% to EUR 8.4 million (8.9) or 26.7% (35.2) of net sales. EBITDA was depressed by the system platform acquired in Spain in autumn 2022 that had a weakening effect of around EUR 0.5 million (0.0) on EBITDA. In addition, the weakening effect of non-recurring items related to acquisitions and other expenses was EUR 0.5 million compared to the comparison period. Operating profit decreased by -28.9% to EUR 3.5 million (4.9) or 11.0% (19.3) of net sales. Relative profitability was depressed by our planned investments in growth, wage inflation, as well as integration and other costs arising from acquisitions. Net profit decreased by -45.1% to EUR 2.1 million (3.7). Net financial expenses increased to EUR 0.7 million (0.1).

Country-specific financial development January-March 2023

Finland

January-March 2023

Net sales increased by 11.5% to EUR 23.4 million (21.0). Growth was mainly organic and was driven by increased customer numbers and sales of value-added services. Bankruptcies and business closures increased, but their impact on Talenom’s business was limited.

Measured by EBITDA and operating profit, relative profitability weakened. Nevertheless, profitability was still at an excellent level. Increased costs were not passed on to customer prices until the end of the reporting period, which was reflected in weakened relative profitability.

Sweden

January-March 2023

Net sales increased by 68.6% to EUR 6.7 million (4.0). Net sales growth came mainly from acquisitions. The weak Swedish krona had a negative impact on euro-denominated net sales development.

Relative EBITDA was 11.9% (11.6) and operating profit 3.2% (2.1) of net sales. Sweden's profitability is still burdened by strengthening the organization as planned and accelerating integration, as well as implementation of the own software. The weak Swedish krona had a negative impact on euro-denominated EBITDA development.

Other countries

January-March 2023

Net sales increased by 372.3% to EUR 1.2 million (0.3). Net sales growth came mainly from acquisitions.

Business was loss-making. Measured by EBITDA, the Spanish accounting business is profitable. The profitability of the Spanish business is burdened by the platform business. The platform enables customer segmentation, which supports future profitability growth.

Unallocated items

Unallocated items include revenue and cost recognition of additional purchase prices related to acquisitions.

Investments and acquisitions during the review period

The total net investments during the review period were EUR 12.6 million (7.4).

*) includes an estimated EUR 0 (46,000) in recorded additional deal prices
**) includes an estimated EUR 1,570,000 (872,000) in recorded additional deal prices

Business acquisitions in January-March:

• Studio Gavazzi, Italy

Share transactions in January-March:

• MTE Göteborg Ab, Sweden
• R2 Redovisning Ab, Sweden
• BKF Asesores, S.l., Spain
• Easycount Ab, Sweden
• Bv Coruña Asesoría De Empresas, S.l., Spain
• Consultoria Granadina S.l. and Grupo CG Consultores 2012 S.l., Spain

Purchase prices, net sales and operating profit of the acquisition targets during the review period:

In acquisitions, part of the purchase price was paid with new Talenom Plc shares subscribed for in directed issues. A total of 212,456 shares were subscribed for in directed share issues related to acquisitions during the review period.

Webcast

Talenom will present the main points of the review on a webcast today on 20 April 2023 at 10:00 EEST.

The webcast will be held in Finnish and can be followed either by webcast at https://talenom.videosync.fi/q1-2023 or at the company’s premises in Sanomtalo (Töölönlahdenkatu 2, 00100 Helsinki).

Pre-registration is required for on-site participation. A recording of the webcast will be available after the event on the company website http://investors.talenom.com/en

Talenom Plc
Board of Directors

Further information:
Otto-Pekka Huhtala
CEO, Talenom Plc
+358 40 703 8554
otto-pekka.huhtala@talenom.fi

Talenom in brief
Talenom is an agile and progressive accounting firm established in 1972. Our business idea is to make daily life easier for entrepreneurs with the easiest-to-use digital tools on the market and highly automated services. In addition to comprehensive accounting services, we support our customers’ business with a wide range of expert services, as well as financing, account and payment traffic services. Our vision is to provide superior accounting, account and payment traffic services for SMEs.

Talenom’s growth history is strong – average annual net sales growth was approximately 17% between 2005 and 2022. In 2022, Talenom’s net sales was some EUR 102 million and the company has more than 1,300 employees in Finland, Sweden, Spain and Italy at the end of the year. Talenom’s share is quoted on the Main Market of Nasdaq Helsinki. Read more: investors.talenom.com/en

Attachment

• 20230420_Talenom Business Review Q1 2023