UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 2003 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 333-84294 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 13-4126506 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) incorporation or organization) 7211 CIRCLE S ROAD AUSTIN, TEXAS 78745 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (512) 444-0571 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]. Prior to April 8, 2002, registrant was not subject to such filing requirements. 809,351 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK (Number of shares outstanding as of May 31, 2003) AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 2003 INDEX <Table> <Caption> PAGE ------- PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets-- As of May 31, 2003 (unaudited) and August 31, 2002.......... 3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations-- For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2003 (unaudited) and May 25, 2002 (unaudited).................................... 4 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations-- For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2003 (unaudited) and May 25, 2002 (unaudited).................................... 5 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-- For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2003 (unaudited) and May 25, 2002 (unaudited).................................... 6 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)................................................. 7-18 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 19-26 and Results of Operations................................... Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk........................................................ 27 Item 4. Controls and Procedures..................................... 28 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings........................................... 29 Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds................... 29 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities............................. 29 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 29 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................ 29 SIGNATURES............................................................ 30 </Table> 2 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) <Table> <Caption> MAY 31, AUGUST 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- (UNAUDITED) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents ................................ $ 3,277 $ 1,562 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,179 and $3,578 ......................... 71,871 46,326 Income tax receivable .................................... 738 738 Inventories, net ......................................... 24,259 25,427 Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net ........... 20,949 28,021 ----------- ----------- Total current assets ................................... 121,094 102,074 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $47,994 and $38,593 ...................... 65,982 66,592 TRADEMARKS ................................................. 41,855 41,855 GOODWILL ................................................... 162,059 159,308 OTHER ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization of $7,203 and $5,701 ................................................... 27,357 31,797 ----------- ----------- Total assets ........................................... $ 418,347 $ 401,626 =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Bank overdraft ........................................... $ 4,365 $ 4,324 Accounts payable ......................................... 8,169 9,364 Customer deposits ........................................ 29,253 23,649 Accrued expenses ......................................... 34,373 24,773 Deferred revenue ......................................... 830 6,515 Accrued interest ......................................... 10,458 4,138 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities .............................. 87,448 72,763 LONG-TERM DEBT ............................................. 223,163 242,117 OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES ................................ 6,354 4,642 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities ...................................... 316,965 319,522 REDEEMABLE MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY ................. 17,750 16,850 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Series A preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,200,000 shares authorized, 1,006,847 shares issued and outstanding; liquidation preference of approximately $100,685 ....... 10 10 Common stock, $.01 par value, 1,250,000 shares authorized, 809,351 shares issued and outstanding .................. 8 8 Additional paid-in capital ............................... 95,310 95,310 Accumulated deficit ...................................... (9,613) (27,941) Accumulated other comprehensive loss ..................... (2,083) (2,133) ----------- ----------- Total stockholders' equity ............................. 83,632 65,254 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ............. $ 418,347 $ 401,626 =========== =========== </Table> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 3 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED --------------------------- MAY 31, MAY 25, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- Net sales .................................... $ 126,237 $ 122,073 Cost of sales ................................ 55,382 56,123 ----------- ----------- Gross profit ............................... 70,855 65,950 Selling, general and administrative expenses . 40,278 41,385 ----------- ----------- Operating income ........................... 30,577 24,565 Interest expense, net ........................ 7,274 7,175 Other expense ................................ -- 35 ----------- ----------- Income before income taxes ................. 23,303 17,355 Provision for income taxes ................... 1,165 6,857 ----------- ----------- Net income ................................. 22,138 10,498 Preferred dividends .......................... 300 300 ----------- ----------- Net income applicable to common stockholders $ 21,838 $ 10,198 =========== =========== </Table> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 4 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED --------------------------- MAY 31, MAY 25, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- Net sales ........................................... $ 260,679 $ 248,655 Cost of sales ....................................... 113,154 113,403 ----------- ----------- Gross profit ...................................... 147,525 135,252 Selling, general and administrative expenses ........ 105,315 103,845 Loss on early extinguishment of debt ................ -- 5,650 ----------- ----------- Operating income .................................. 42,210 25,757 Interest expense, net ............................... 21,817 18,387 Other expense ....................................... -- 2,644 ----------- ----------- Income before income taxes ........................ 20,393 4,726 Provision for income taxes .......................... 1,165 5,201 ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) ................................. 19,228 (475) Preferred dividends ................................. 900 900 ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders $ 18,328 $ (1,375) =========== =========== </Table> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 5 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED ---------------------------- MAY 31, MAY 25, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) .......................................... $ 19,228 $ (475) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities Loss on early extinguishment of debt ................... -- 5,650 Depreciation and amortization .......................... 10,637 14,629 Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing fees ................................................. 1,545 991 Unrealized gain on free-standing derivative ............ -- 265 Provision for doubtful accounts ........................ 1,601 268 Changes in assets and liabilities- Increase in accounts receivable ...................... (27,146) (27,449) Decrease (increase) in inventories, net .............. 1,168 (997) Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets 7,072 3,043 Increase in other assets ............................. (821) (93) Increase in customer deposits ........................ 5,604 11,445 Decrease in deferred revenue ......................... (5,685) (3,430) Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other long-term liabilities .......... 16,487 19,708 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities .............. 29,690 23,555 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment ............... (8,840) (8,241) ----------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities .................. (8,840) (8,241) ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from debt issuance .............................. -- 166,612 Payments on term loan facility, net ...................... -- (121,400) Payment of bridge notes to affiliate ..................... -- (28,383) Payments on revolver, net ................................ (19,176) (33,696) Increase of bank overdraft ............................... 41 916 ----------- ----------- Net cash used in financing activities ................ (19,135) (15,951) ----------- ----------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS .................. 1,715 (637) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period ............. 1,562 2,636 ----------- ----------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period ................... $ 3,277 $ 1,999 =========== =========== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE Cash paid during the period for-- Interest ............................................... $ 13,628 $ 17,821 =========== =========== Income taxes ........................................... $ 955 $ 1,006 =========== =========== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES Accrued preferred stock dividends ........................ $ 900 $ 900 =========== =========== Issuance of stock in settlement of obligation ............ $ -- $ 550 =========== =========== </Table> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 6 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONSOLIDATION The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Achievement Corporation and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The 11 5/8% Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2007 (the "Unsecured Notes") are guaranteed by every direct and indirect domestic subsidiary of American Achievement Corporation. The guarantees by the guarantor subsidiaries are full, unconditional, and joint and several. All of the guarantor subsidiaries are wholly owned, with the exception of Commemorative Brands, Inc., which is majority owned. American Achievement Corporation is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investment in its subsidiaries. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented have been included. Operating results for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 30, 2003. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and complies with the disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended by SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123." Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the Company's stock plans. Had compensation expense for the stock plans been determined based on the fair value of stock options at their grant date, consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123, as amended by SFAS 148, the pro forma net income (loss) would have been reported as follows: <Table> <Caption> FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- MAY 31, MAY 25, MAY 31, MAY 25, 2003 2002 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) ..................... $ 22,138 $ 10,498 $ 19,228 $ (475) Less: stock-based compensation expense, net of related taxes ................ 4 4 12 13 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) - pro forma ......... $ 22,134 $ 10,494 $ 19,216 $ (488) =========== =========== =========== =========== </Table> 7 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) The fair value of each option grant is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for grants in fiscal years 2003 and 2002: <Table> <Caption> 2003 2002 -------- -------- Risk-free interest rate .......................... 3.93% 4.88% Expected life .................................... 10 years 10 years Volatility ....................................... 25% 28% Dividend yield ................................... -- -- </Table> 2. AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), which revises the accounting for purchased goodwill and intangible assets, effective September 1, 2002. This Statement was applied to all goodwill and other intangible assets recognized on the balance sheet, regardless of when those assets were initially recorded. Effective September 1, 2002, goodwill and trademarks were no longer amortized. Goodwill was $162,059 and $159,308 at May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, respectively, and trademarks were $41,855 at May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002. During the nine months ended May 31, 2003, goodwill increased primarily due to a $2.4 million reclassification of work force in place from other intangible assets. The impact of the implementation of SFAS No. 142 and comparison to the prior year period is as follows: <Table> <Caption> FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED --------------------------- --------------------------- MAY 31, MAY 25, MAY 31, MAY 25, 2003 2002 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Reported net income (loss) .......... $ 22,138 $ 10,498 $ 19,228 $ (475) Add: goodwill amortization ........ -- 1,002 -- 3,021 Add: trademark amortization ....... -- 387 -- 1,158 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Pro forma net income .............. $ 22,138 $ 11,887 $ 19,228 $ 3,704 =========== =========== =========== =========== </Table> 8 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 2. AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (CONTINUED) The Company includes other intangible assets subject to amortization in other assets on the balance sheet. The other intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows: <Table> <Caption> ACCUMULATED GROSS ASSET AMORTIZATION NET ASSET ------------ ------------ ------------ At May 31, 2003 Deferred financing costs ........................ $ 10,346 $ (2,826) $ 7,520 Customer lists and distribution contracts ....... 16,072 (4,377) 11,695 ------------ ------------ ------------ Total intangible assets subject to amortization $ 26,418 $ (7,203) $ 19,215 ============ ============ ============ At August 31, 2002 Deferred financing costs ........................ $ 10,151 $ (1,503) $ 8,648 Customer lists and distribution contracts ....... 16,072 (3,193) 12,879 Work force in place ............................. 3,377 (1,005) 2,372 ------------ ------------ ------------ Total intangible assets subject to amortization $ 29,600 $ (5,701) $ 23,899 ============ ============ ============ </Table> Total amortization on intangible assets above was $867 and $2,507 for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2003, respectively, of which amortization on deferred financing costs is recorded as interest expense and amortization on customer lists and distribution contracts is recorded as amortization expense. Estimated annual amortization expense for fiscal years ended 2003 through 2007 is approximately $3.3 million each year. 3. SIGNIFICANT ACQUISITIONS Effective July 15, 2002, American Achievement purchased all the outstanding stock and warrants of Milestone Marketing Incorporated ("Milestone") for a total purchase price of $16.3 million. The acquisition of Milestone was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon estimated fair values. Milestone is a specialty marketer of class rings and other graduation products to the college market. Effective December 31, 2002, Milestone merged into Commemorative Brands, Inc. ("CBI"), with CBI as the surviving entity. In conjunction with the merger, for each share of Milestone common stock held by the Company, the Company received one share of CBI common stock. The existing common stock and warrants of Milestone were cancelled in connection with this transaction. The estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the Milestone acquisition is summarized below: <Table> Working capital deficit ............ $ (2,413) Property, plant and equipment ...... 113 Other intangibles .................. 2,500 Goodwill ........................... 16,047 Other long-term assets ............. 28 -------- $ 16,275 ======== </Table> 9 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 3. SIGNIFICANT ACQUISITIONS (CONTINUED) During the nine months ended May 31, 2003, goodwill was increased by approximately $378 primarily related to professional services incurred in connection with the Milestone acquisition. Goodwill and trademarks related to Milestone are not amortized in accordance with SFAS No. 142. As a result of this transaction, the consolidated financial statements of the Company include the results of operations of Milestone for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2003, while the consolidated financial statements of the Company do not include the results of operations of Milestone for the three months and nine months ended May 25, 2002. The following unaudited pro forma data summarizes the results of operations for the periods indicated as if the Milestone acquisition had been completed as of August 26, 2001: <Table> <Caption> FOR THE THREE FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MONTHS ENDED ------------- ------------ MAY 25, MAY 25, 2002 2002 ------------ ------------ Net sales ......................................... $ 124,811 $ 253,973 Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders 9,558 (3,403) </Table> 4. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Beginning with fiscal year 2001, the effective portion of the loss on derivatives and unrecognized losses on accrued minimum pension liabilities were included in other comprehensive income (loss). The following amounts were included in determining the Company's comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002. <Table> <Caption> FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------- ----------------------------- MAY 31, MAY 25, MAY 31, MAY 25, 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income (loss) ............... $ 22,138 $ 10,498 $ 19,228 $ (475) Reclass into earnings for derivative reclassification ... -- -- -- 2,232 Adjustment in minimum pension liability ..................... 16 (246) 50 (1,900) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total comprehensive income (loss) $ 22,154 $ 10,252 $ 19,278 $ (143) ============ ============ ============ ============ </Table> 10 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 5. INVENTORIES, NET A summary of inventories, net is as follows: <Table> <Caption> MAY 31, AUGUST 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ---------- Raw materials ........... $ 8,947 $ 8,781 Work in process ......... 8,231 8,171 Finished goods .......... 8,303 8,653 Less--reserves .......... (1,222) (178) ----------- ---------- $ 24,259 $ 25,427 =========== ========== </Table> Cost of sales includes depreciation and amortization of $2,037 and $2,158 for the three months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, respectively. Cost of sales includes depreciation and amortization of $6,828 and $6,060 for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, respectively. 6. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following: <Table> <Caption> MAY 31, AUGUST 31, 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- 11 5/8% Senior unsecured notes due 2007 (net of unamortized discount of $1,191 and $1,413) .......................... $ 175,809 $ 175,587 11% Senior subordinated notes due 2007 .................... 41,355 41,355 Senior secured credit facility ............................ 5,999 25,175 ----------- ----------- Total long-term debt .................................. $ 223,163 $ 242,117 =========== =========== </Table> 11 5/8% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES On February 20, 2002, the Company issued $177 million of senior unsecured notes (the "Unsecured Notes") due in 2007. The Unsecured Notes bear interest at a stated rate of 11 5/8%. The Unsecured Notes were issued at a discount of 0.872% resulting in net proceeds of approximately $175.5 million before considering financing costs. The effective rate of the Unsecured Notes after discount is approximately 13.0%. The Unsecured Notes rank pari passu with the Company's existing and future senior indebtedness, including obligations under the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facility (as defined below). The Unsecured Notes are guaranteed by the Company's domestic subsidiaries, and the guarantees rank pari passu with the existing Senior Subordinated Notes and future senior debt of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Unsecured Notes and the guarantees on the Unsecured Notes are effectively subordinated to any of the Company's secured debt. 11 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 6. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED) The Company may not redeem the Unsecured Notes until 2005, except that the Company, in connection with a public equity offering, may redeem up to 35 percent of the Unsecured Notes before the third anniversary of the issue date of the Unsecured Notes as long as (a) the Company pays a certain percentage of the principal amount of the Unsecured Notes, plus interest, (b) the Company redeems the Unsecured Notes within 90 days of completing a public equity offering and (c) at least 65 percent of the aggregate principal amount of the Unsecured Notes issued remains outstanding afterward. If a change in control, as defined in the indenture relating to the Unsecured Notes (the "AAC Indenture"), occurs, the Company must give the holders of the Unsecured Notes the opportunity to sell their Unsecured Notes to the Company at 101 percent of the principal amount of the Unsecured Notes, plus accrued interest. The Unsecured Notes contain customary negative covenants and restrictions on actions by the Company and its subsidiaries including, without limitation, restrictions on additional indebtedness, investments, asset dispositions outside the ordinary course of business, liens, and transactions with affiliates, among other restrictions (as defined in the AAC Indenture). In addition, the Unsecured Notes contain covenants, which restrict the declaration or payment of dividends by the Company and/or its subsidiaries (as defined in the AAC Indenture). The Unsecured Notes also require that the Company meet certain financial covenants including a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the AAC Indenture). The Company was in compliance with the Unsecured Notes covenants as of May 31, 2003. 11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES Commemorative Brands, Inc.'s ("CBI") 11% senior subordinated notes (the "Subordinated Notes") mature on January 15, 2007. The Subordinated Notes are redeemable at the option of CBI in whole or in part, at any time on or after January 15, 2002, at specified redemption prices ranging from 105.5 percent of the principal amount thereof if redeemed during 2002 and declining to 100 percent of the principal amount thereof if redeemed during the year 2005 or thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages as defined in the indenture relating to the Subordinated Notes, as amended (the "CBI Indenture"), if any, thereon to the date of redemption. The Company has not redeemed any of the Subordinated Notes as of May 31, 2003. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the CBI Indenture), each holder of the Subordinated Notes will have the right to require CBI to purchase all or any part of such holder's Subordinated Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101 percent of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the date of purchase. In the event of an Asset Sale (as defined in the CBI Indenture), CBI is required to apply any Net Proceeds (as defined in the CBI Indenture) to permanently reduce senior indebtedness, to acquire another business or long-term assets or to make capital expenditures. To the extent such amounts are not so applied within 365 days and the amount not applied exceeds $5.0 million, CBI is required to make an offer to all holders of the Subordinated Notes to purchase an aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes equal to such excess amount at a purchase price in cash equal to 100 percent of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the date of purchase. 12 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 6. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED) The Subordinated Notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of CBI to engage in certain business transactions such as mergers, consolidations or sales of assets that would decrease the value of CBI or cause an event of default. The Company was in compliance with the Subordinated Notes covenants as of May 31, 2003. SENIOR SECURED CREDIT FACILITY In conjunction with the issuance of the Unsecured Notes, on February 20, 2002, the Company entered into a $40 million senior revolving credit facility (the "Senior Secured Credit Facility") with various financial institutions, with all of the Company's current domestic subsidiaries as guarantors. Loans made pursuant to the Senior Secured Credit Facility are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company's and the Company's domestic subsidiaries' assets and in all of the Company's domestic subsidiaries' capital stock. Availability under the Senior Secured Credit Facility is restricted to the lesser of (1) $40 million or (2) the Borrowing Base Amount as defined in the credit agreement under the Senior Secured Credit Facility (the "Credit Agreement"). Availability under the Senior Secured Credit Facility as of May 31, 2003 was approximately $31.8 million with $6.0 million borrowings outstanding. The Senior Secured Credit Facility matures on February 20, 2006. Advances under the Senior Secured Credit Facility may be made as base rate loans or LIBOR loans at the Company's election (except for the initial loans which were base rate loans). Interest rates payable upon advances are based upon the base rate or LIBOR depending on the type of loan the Company chooses, plus an applicable margin based upon a consolidated leverage ratio of certain outstanding indebtedness to EBITDA (to be calculated in accordance with the terms specified in the Credit Agreement). The effective rate on borrowings for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 was 8.2%. The Credit Agreement contains customary negative covenants and restrictions on actions by the Company and its subsidiaries including, without limitation, restrictions on indebtedness, declaration or payment of dividends, liens, and changing the provisions of the gold consignment agreement, among other restrictions. In addition, the Credit Agreement requires that the Company meet certain financial covenants, ratios and tests, including capital expenditure limits, a maximum secured leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The Company was in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants as of May 31, 2003. EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT In conjunction with the issuance of the Unsecured Notes and entrance into the Senior Secured Credit Facility in February 2002, the Company paid off the then outstanding term loans and revolver under the former credit facility, the bridge notes to affiliates and settled all but $25 million in notional amount of the interest rate swap agreements. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002, the Company recognized an extraordinary charge of approximately $5.7 million relating to the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 145 on September 1, 2002, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections," the Company reclassed this amount to operating expenses. Due to the termination and reclassification of interest rate swaps, the Company recorded a charge to other expense of approximately $2.6 million. 13 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 6. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED) The Company's long-term debt outstanding as of May 31, 2003 matures as follows: <Table> <Caption> FISCAL YEAR ENDING AMOUNT MATURING - ---------------------------------------- --------------- 2003 ................................... $ -- 2004 ................................... -- 2005 ................................... -- 2006 ................................... 5,999 2007 ................................... 217,164 ------------ $ 223,163 ============ </Table> The weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding as of May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002 was 11.9% and 11.5%, respectively. The Company's management believes the carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value as of May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, based upon current rates offered for debt with the same or similar debt terms. 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES LEASES Certain Company facilities and equipment are leased under agreements expiring at various dates through 2008. EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS The Company has employment agreements with its executive officers, the terms of which expire at various times through July 2005. Unless terminated, one executive officer's employment agreement adds one day to the term for each day that passes, and accordingly, there are always two years remaining on the term. The remaining executive officers terms can be automatically extended for an additional one year term. Such agreements, which have been revised from time-to-time, provide for minimum salary levels, adjusted annually for cost-of-living changes, as well as for incentive bonuses for a certain executive that are payable if specific management goals are attained. The aggregate commitment for future salaries as of May 31, 2003, excluding bonuses, was approximately $2.7 million. PENDING LITIGATION The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. In management's opinion, adverse decisions on legal proceedings, in the aggregate, would not have a materially adverse impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. 14 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) GOLD CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Under the Company's gold consignment financing arrangement, the Company has the ability to have on consignment the lowest of the dollar value of 27,000 troy ounces of gold, $10.1 million or a borrowing base, determined based upon a percentage of gold located at the Company's facilities and other approved locations, as specified by the agreement. For the three months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, the Company expensed consignment fees of approximately $90 and $69, respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, the Company expensed consignment fees of approximately $232 and $186, respectively. Under the terms of the consignment arrangement, the Company does not own the consigned gold nor does it have risk of loss related to such inventory until the money is received by the bank from the Company in payment for the gold purchased. Accordingly, the Company does not include the value of consigned gold in its inventory or the corresponding liability for financial statement purposes. As of May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, the Company held approximately 20,763 ounces and 14,830 ounces, respectively, of gold valued at $7.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, on consignment. 8. INCOME TAXES For the year ending August 30, 2003, the annual effective tax rate is expected to be 5% on pretax income from operations. The effective tax rate shown for each quarter of the fiscal years ended 2003 and 2002 may fluctuate due to limitations on the maximum year-to-date tax benefits allowed to be recorded. For the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, the Company recorded income tax expense of $1,165 and $5,201, respectively, which represents an effective tax rate of 6% and 110%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 represents the anticipated annual tax rate primarily attributable to state taxes. No federal tax expense is anticipated in fiscal 2003 due to the ability of the Company to utilize its existing net operating loss carry-forwards. No net federal income tax benefit is reflected in the statement of operations for net operating losses to be carried forward since realization of the potential benefit of net operating loss carry-forwards is not considered to be more likely than not. The Company's effective tax rate for the nine months ending May 25, 2002 related to the expected annual benefits from the net operating loss carry back attributable to Taylor Senior Holding Corp (TSHC) as a percentage of the Company's expected annual pretax loss from continuing operations. 9. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY During the year ended August 31, 2002, 5,500 shares of the Series A Preferred Stock of the Company were issued to an executive pursuant to a bonus provided for in fiscal 2001. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive payment of the liquidation value of $100 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends prior to the payment of any distributions to the holders of the Common Stock of the Company. The liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock totaled approximately $100,685 at May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, respectively. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION During fiscal year 2002, the Company issued an option to purchase 12,500 shares of Company Common Stock at fair market value to an executive. The terms of the option are the same as provided for in the Company's 2000 Stock Option Plan, with the exception that the option vested on the date of grant. 15 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 9. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED) Incentive stock options for 94,977 shares and 69,853 shares and nonqualified stock options for 3,289 and 2,230 shares of the Company's Common Stock were outstanding as of May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, respectively. During the nine-month period ended May 31, 2003, the Company granted 29,559 options to employees and a non-employee director. These options have a weighted average exercise price of $6.22 per share and, accordingly, the Company did not record any related compensation expense based upon the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant. A portion of the options, 10,000, vested on the grant date, with the remaining options vesting ratably over a four year period. Pursuant to an employment agreement entered into between the Company and its chief executive officer in July 1999, as amended on February 1, 2002, if the Company achieves certain EBITDA targets as defined by the agreement at any point from 2002 through 2004, the chief executive is entitled to receive up to a total of $1 million in face value of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock. In addition, the plan provided for the immediate issuance of an option to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company's common stock with a discretionary option to purchase shares. An option to purchase 12,500 shares was granted in fiscal 2002 pursuant to this plan. The executive is also entitled to receive discretionary bonuses as directed by the Board of Directors up to $300 annually, of which $225 has been accrued as of May 31, 2003. 10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company entered into a management agreement on March 30, 2001 with Castle Harlan, Inc., its majority shareholder, (the "Manager"), pursuant to which the Manager agreed to provide business and organization strategy, financial and investment management and merchant and investment banking services to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Manager against liabilities, costs, charges and expenses relating to the Manager's performance of its duties, other than such of the foregoing resulting from the Manager's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreement is for a term of 10 years, renewable automatically from year to year unless Castle Harlan Partners III, L.P. or Castle Harlan Partners II, L.P., affiliates of the Manager, shall own less than 5 percent of the then outstanding capital stock of the Company. The Company is required to pay a management fee equal to $3.0 million, unless otherwise prohibited by the Company's Credit Agreement. Amounts paid under the management agreement totaled approximately $1,500 and $750 for the three months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, respectively. Amounts paid under the management agreement totaled approximately $2,250 and $1,825 for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, respectively. As of May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, the Company had accrued management fees of approximately $750 and $750, respectively. In connection with a previous acquisition, the Company has a receivable from the Castle Harlan group relating to the acquisition expenses, along with other reimbursible expenses which was to be reimbursed to the Company. The amount of such receivable was approximately $0 and $26 as of May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, respectively. 16 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 11. BUSINESS SEGMENTS The Company operates in two reportable business segments: scholastic products and recognition and affinity products. The principal products sold in the scholastic segment are class rings, yearbooks and graduation products, which include fine paper products and graduation accessories. The scholastic segment primarily serves the high school and college markets. The recognition and affinity segment includes publications that recognize the academic achievement of top students at the high school and college levels, jewelry commemorating family events, fan affinity jewelry and related products, and professional sports championship rings. <Table> <Caption> RECOGNITION SCHOLASTIC AND AFFINITY TOTAL ------------ ------------ ------------ Three Months Ended May 31, 2003 Net sales ............................... $ 120,203 $ 6,034 $ 126,237 Interest expense, net ................... 6,547 727 7,274 Depreciation and amortization ........... 3,001 334 3,335 Segment operating income ................ 29,033 1,544 30,577 Capital expenditures .................... 1,647 187 1,834 Goodwill ................................ 115,074 46,985 162,059 Segment assets .......................... 326,850 91,497 418,347 Three Months Ended May 25, 2002 Net sales ............................... $ 115,980 $ 6,093 $ 122,073 Interest expense, net ................... 5,557 1,618 7,175 Depreciation and amortization ........... 3,977 1,077 5,054 Segment operating income (loss) ......... 25,050 (485) 24,565 Capital expenditures .................... 4,054 451 4,505 Goodwill ................................ 99,325 45,414 144,739 Segment assets .......................... 315,067 90,311 405,378 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2003 Net sales ............................... $ 227,601 $ 33,078 $ 260,679 Interest expense, net ................... 19,636 2,181 21,817 Depreciation and amortization ........... 9,573 1,064 10,637 Segment operating income ................ 32,716 9,494 42,210 Capital expenditures .................... 7,936 904 8,840 Goodwill ................................ 115,074 46,985 162,059 Segment assets .......................... 326,850 91,497 418,347 Nine Months Ended May 25, 2002 Net sales ............................... $ 218,053 $ 30,602 $ 248,655 Interest expense, net ................... 13,742 4,645 18,387 Depreciation and amortization ........... 11,454 3,175 14,629 Segment operating income ................ 20,855 4,902 25,757 Capital expenditures .................... 7,417 824 8,241 Goodwill ................................ 99,345 45,414 144,739 Segment assets .......................... 315,067 90,311 405,378 </Table> The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer products to different consumer segments. Each segment is managed separately because each business requires different marketing strategies. The Company evaluates the performance of each segment based on the profit or loss from operations before income taxes, excluding nonrecurring gains or losses. 17 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) 12. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In August 2001, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. SFAS No. 143 became effective for the Company in fiscal year 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements. In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," that was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements. In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." This statement requires, among other things, that gains and losses on the early extinguishments of debt be classified as extraordinary only if they meet the criteria for extraordinary treatment set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30. The provisions of this statement related to classification of gains and losses on the early extinguishments of debt are effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002. The adoption of this standard required the Company to reclassify a $5.7 million loss from early extinguishment from extraordinary items into operating expenses for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." This Statement requires recording costs associated with exit or disposal activities at their fair values when a liability has been incurred. Under previous guidance, certain exit costs were accrued upon management's commitment to an exit plan, which is generally before an actual liability has been incurred. The provisions of this statement are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements. In December 2002 the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN No. 45") "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34," which addresses the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees and clarifies the requirements related to the recognition of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of a guarantee for the obligations the guarantor has undertaken in issuing that guarantee. FIN No. 45 becomes effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods ending after December 15, 2002. The adoption of FIN No. 45 did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements. 18 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties. See "Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." "We," "us," "our," and comparable terms refer to the Company. OVERVIEW We are one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of class rings, yearbooks, academic achievement publications and recognition and affinity jewelry in the United States. Our two principal business segments are: scholastic products and recognition and affinity products. The scholastic products segment serves the high school, college and, to a lesser extent, the elementary and junior high school markets and accounted for approximately 95.2% and 87.3% of our net sales for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2003, respectively. Our scholastic products segment consists of three principal categories: class rings, yearbooks and graduation products, the last of which includes fine paper products and graduation accessories. The recognition and affinity products segment accounted for approximately 4.8% and 12.7% of our net sales for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2003, respectively. This segment provides, among other things, publications that recognize the academic achievement of top students at the high school and college levels, as well as the nation's most inspiring teachers, jewelry commemorating family events such as the birth of a child, licensing of jewelry, fan affinity jewelry and related products and professional sports championship rings such as World Series rings. COMPANY BACKGROUND Commemorative Brands, Inc. ("CBI") was initially formed by Castle Harlan Partners II, L.P. ("CHPII"), a private equity investment fund, in March 1996 for the purpose of acquiring substantially all of the ArtCarved operations of CJC Holdings, Inc. and the Balfour operations of L. G. Balfour Company, Inc. These acquisitions were consummated on December 16, 1996. Until such date, CBI engaged in no business activities other than in connection with the completion of the acquisitions and the financing thereof. Our Company was formed on June 27, 2000 to serve as a holding company for the CBI operations and future acquisitions. Upon formation, each share of CBI's issued and outstanding common stock was converted into one share of our common stock, and each share of CBI's issued and outstanding series B preferred stock was converted into one share of our Series A Preferred Stock. The original holders of CBI's series A preferred stock continued to hold such shares. We changed our name from Commemorative Brands Holding Corporation to American Achievement Corporation on January 23, 2002. Taylor Acquisition. On February 11, 2000, Castle Harlan Partners III, L.P. ("CHPIII"), one of our stockholders and an affiliate of CHPII, acquired Taylor, whose primary business is the designing and printing of student yearbooks. On July 27, 2000, we acquired all issued and outstanding shares of Taylor Senior Holding Corp ("TSHC"), Taylor's parent, through the issuance of 320,929 shares of our common stock and 393,482 shares of our series A preferred stock (the "Taylor Acquisition"). The Taylor Acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. ECI Acquisition. On March 30, 2001, we acquired all of the capital stock of ECI for a purchase price of approximately $58.7 million (the "ECI Acquisition"). ECI has been in the academic achievement publication business since 1967 and publishes such well-known titles as, Who's Who Among American High School Students, The National Dean's List and Who's Who Among America's Teachers. The ECI Acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. 19 Milestone Acquisition. Effective July 15, 2002, we acquired all the outstanding stock and warrants of Milestone for a total purchase price of $16.3 million (the "Milestone Acquisition"). The Milestone Acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Milestone is a specialty marketer of class rings and other graduation products to the college market. Goodwill and trademarks related to Milestone are not amortized in accordance with SFAS No. 142. As a result of this transaction, our consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of Milestone for the three months and nine months ended May 31, 2003, while our consolidated financial statements do not include the results of operations of Milestone for the three months and nine months ended May 25, 2002. Effective December 31, 2002, Milestone merged into CBI, with CBI as the surviving entity. In conjunction with the merger, for each share of Milestone common stock held by us, we received one share of CBI common stock. The existing common stock and warrants of Milestone were cancelled in connection with this transaction. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As such, we are required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that we believe are reasonable based upon the information available. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following: Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when the earnings process is complete, evidenced by an agreement between the customer and us, delivery and acceptance has occurred, collectibility is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed and determinable. In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commissions Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, the recognition of revenue and related gross profit on sales to independent sales representatives, along with commissions to independent sales representatives that are directly related to the revenue, are deferred until the independent sales representative delivers the product and title passes to our end customer. Provisions for sales returns and warranty costs are recorded at the time of sale based on historical information and current trends. Sales Returns and Allowances. We make estimates of potential future product returns related to current period product revenue. We analyze historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns and allowances. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns and allowances in any accounting period. Material differences could result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if we made different judgments or utilized different estimates. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Reserve on Sales Representative Advances. We make estimates of potentially uncollectible customer accounts receivable and receivables arising from sales representative draws paid in excess of earned commissions. Our reserves are based on an analysis of customer and salesperson accounts and historical write-off experience. Our analysis includes the age of the receivable, customer or salesperson creditworthiness and general economic conditions. We believe the results could be materially different if historical trends do not reflect actual results or if economic conditions worsened. 20 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," which addresses the initial recognition and measurement of intangible assets acquired outside of a business combination and the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition. SFAS No. 142 also provides that intangible assets with finite useful lives be amortized and that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives will not be amortized, but will rather be tested for impairment upon adoption and on an annual basis thereafter. We completed the initial impairment test and concluded that goodwill was not impaired as of May 31, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 142 during the first three quarters of fiscal 2003 did not have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets or our statements of operations, shareholders' equity or cash flows. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth selected information from our condensed consolidated statements of operations expressed on an actual basis and as a percentage of net sales. <Table> <Caption> THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED -------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- MAY 31, 2003 MAY 25, 2002 MAY 31, 2003 MAY 25, 2002 -------------------- -------------------- --------------------- --------------------- % OF NET % OF NET % OF NET % OF NET (IN THOUSANDS) ACTUAL SALES ACTUAL SALES ACTUAL SALES ACTUAL SALES --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net sales ....................... $ 126,237 100.0% $ 122,073 100.0% $ 260,679 100.0% $ 248,655 100.0% Cost of sales ................... 55,382 43.9% 56,123 46.0% 113,154 43.4% 113,403 45.6% --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Gross profit .................. 70,855 56.1% 65,950 54.0% 147,525 56.6% 135,252 54.4% Selling, general and administrative expenses ....... 40,278 31.9% 41,385 33.9% 105,315 40.4% 103,845 41.8% Loss on extinguishments of debt . -- 0.0% -- 0.0% -- 0.0% 5,650 2.3% --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income ................ 30,577 24.2% 24,565 20.1% 42,210 16.2% 25,757 10.3% Interest expense, net ........... 7,274 5.7% 7,175 5.9% 21,817 8.4% 18,387 7.4% Other expense ................... -- 0.0% 35 0.0% -- 0.0% 2,644 1.1% --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes .... 23,303 18.5% 17,355 14.2% 20,393 7.8% 4,726 1.8% Income tax provision ............ 1,165 0.9% 6,857 5.6% 1,165 0.4% 5,201 2.1% --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income (loss) ............... $ 22,138 17.6% $ 10,498 8.6% $ 19,228 7.4% $ (475) (0.3)% ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= </Table> THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2003 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 25, 2002 Net Sales. Net sales consist of product sales and are net of product returns and promotional discounts. Net sales increased $4.1 million, or 3.4%, to $126.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2003 from $122.1 million for the three months ended May 25, 2002. This increase in net sales was due primarily to timing of shipments and college ring sales related to the Milestone acquisition. The following details the changes in net sales during such periods by business segment. Scholastic Products. Net sales increased $4.2 million to $120.2 million for the three months ended May 31, 2003 from $116.0 million for the three months ended May 25, 2002. The increase in net sales was the result of college ring sales related to the Milestone acquisition and a timing difference relating to yearbook shipments totaling $11.7 million, offset by a timing difference in high school ring shipments and graduation product shipments, as well as, a decline in other college ring unit sales. Recognition and Infinity Products. Net sales decreased $100,000 to $6.0 million for the three months ended May 31, 2003 from $6.1 million for the three months ended May 25, 2002. Gross Profit. Gross margin represents gross profit as a percentage of net sales. Gross margin was 56.1% for the three months ended May 31, 2003, a 2.1 percentage point increase from 54.0% for the three months ended May 25, 2002. The overall increase was mainly the result of an increase in margins of yearbooks associated with the implementation of new technology and class rings due to increased labor efficiencies. 21 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.1 million, or 2.7%, to $40.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2003 from $41.4 million for the three months ended May 25, 2002. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are two sub-categories: selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased $400,000 to $32.1 million, or 25.5% of net sales, for the three months ended May 31, 2003 from $31.7 million, or 26.0% of net sales, for the three months ended May 25, 2002. The decrease in selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales was a result of the timing of expenses, slightly offset by increased expenses related to yearbook shipments and their associated commissions. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended May 31, 2003 were $8.2 million, or 6.5% of net sales, as compared to $9.6 million, or 7.9% of net sales, for the three months ended May 25, 2002. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 142, in which goodwill and trademarks are no longer amortized. Operating Income. As a result of the foregoing, operating income was $30.6 million, or 24.2% of net sales, for the three months ended May 31, 2003, as compared with operating income of $24.6 million, or 20.1% of net sales, for the three months ended May 25, 2002. The scholastic products segment reported operating income of $29.0 million and the for the recognition and affinity products segment reported operating income of $1.6 million for the three months ended May 31, 2003. Operating income for the three months ended May 25, 2002 was $24.6 million, consisting of $25.1 million operating income from the scholastic products segment and a $0.5 million operating loss from the recognition and affinity products segment for the three months ended May 25, 2002. Interest Expense, Net. Net interest expense was $7.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2003 and $7.2 million for the three months ended May 25, 2002. The average debt outstanding for the three months ended May 31, 2003 and the three months ended May 25, 2002 was $231 million and $228 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding for the three months ended May 31, 2003 and the three months ended May 25, 2002 was 12.0% and 12.4%, respectively. Other Expense. Other expense was $0 for the three months ended May 31, 2003 and $35,000 for the three months ended May 25, 2002. The $35,000 was a result of changes in the fair value of an interest rate swap agreement. Provision for Income Taxes. For the year ending August 30, 2003, the annual effective tax rate is expected to be 5% on pretax income from operations. The effective tax rate shown for each quarter of the fiscal years ended 2003 and 2002 may fluctuate due to limitations on the maximum year-to-date tax benefits allowed to be recorded. For the three months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, the Company recorded income tax expense of $1,165,000 and $6,857,000, respectively, which represents an effective tax rate of 5% and 40%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended May 31, 2003 represents the anticipated annual tax rate primarily attributable to state taxes. No federal tax expense is anticipated in fiscal 2003 due to the ability of the Company to utilize its existing net operating loss carry-forwards. No net federal income tax benefit is reflected in the statement of operations for net operating losses to be carried forward since realization of the potential benefit of net operating loss carry-forwards is not considered to be more likely than not. The Company's effective tax rate for the quarter ended May 25, 2002 relates to the expected annual benefits from the net operating loss carryback attributable to Taylor Senior Holding Corp (TSHC) as a percentage of the Company's expected annual pretax loss from continuing operations. Net Income. As a result of the foregoing, we reported net income of $22.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2003 as compared to a net income of $10.5 million for the three months ended May 25, 2002. 22 NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2003 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 25, 2002 Net Sales. Net sales increased $12.0 million, or 4.8%, to $260.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 from $248.7 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. This increase in net sales was due primarily to timing of shipments and college ring sales related to the Milestone acquisition. The following details the changes in net sales during such periods by business segment. Scholastic Products. Net sales increased $9.5 million to $227.6 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 from $218.1 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The increase in net sales was the result of increases in college ring sales related to the Milestone acquisition, timing differences of yearbook, high school ring, and graduation product shipments all totaling $10.9 million, offset by a decline in other college ring unit sales. Recognition and Infinity Products. Net sales increased $2.5 million to $33.1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 from $30.6 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The increase was primarily the result of a $4.9 million increase in sales related to the ECI teacher's publication (published bi-annually) and price increases on ECI's publications and products, as well as, an increase in licensing of jewelry products, partially offset by a decrease of $2.3 million due to the discontinuation of reunion services in fiscal year 2002. Gross Profit. Gross margin represents gross profit as a percentage of net sales. Gross margin was 56.6% for the nine months ended May 31, 2003, a 2.2 percentage point increase from 54.4% for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The overall increase was the result of an increase in margins of our yearbooks associated with the implementation of new technology and our class rings due to increased labor efficiencies, partially offset by a lesser gross margin on the ECI teacher's publication (published bi-annually) and the discontinuation of reunion services in fiscal year 2002. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million, or 1.4%, to $105.3 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 from $103.8 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. Selling and marketing expenses increased $6.0 million to $80.2 million, or 30.8% of net sales, for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 from $74.2 million, or 29.8% of net sales, for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The increase in selling and marketing expenses as a percentage of net sales was largely a result of the timing of expenses, the Milestone acquisition, the timing of yearbook shipments and their associated commissions expense, and increased marketing costs related to ECI's teachers publication. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 were $25.1 million, or 9.6% of net sales, as compared to $29.7 million, or 11.9% of net sales, for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The decrease in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales is mainly a result of the elimination of the amortization of goodwill and trademarks as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 142. 23 Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. In conjunction with the issuance of the Unsecured Notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facility on February 20, 2002, the Company paid off the then outstanding term loans and revolver under the former credit facility and bridge notes to affiliates. As a result, a loss of $5.7 million was recognized relating to the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs. Operating Income. As a result of the foregoing, operating income was $42.2 million, or 16.2% of net sales, for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 as compared with operating income of $25.8 million, or 10.4% of net sales, for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The scholastic products segment reported operating income of $32.7 million and the recognition and affinity products segment reported operating income of $9.5 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 required us to reclassify the $5.7 million loss from early extinguishment from extraordinary items into operating expenses for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. Without this reclassification the operating income for the nine months ended May 25, 2002 would have been $31.4 million, consisting of $25.9 million operating income from the scholastic products segment and $5.5 million operating income from the recognition and affinity products segment for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. Interest Expense, Net. Net interest expense was $21.8 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and $18.4 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The average debt outstanding for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and the nine months ended May 25, 2002 was $239 million and $220 million, respectively. The weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and the nine months ended May 25, 2002 was 11.9% and 11.0%, respectively. Other Expense. Other expense was $0 for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and $2.6 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The $2.6 million was a result of the termination and reclassification of the interest rate swaps that occurred in conjunction with the issuance of the Unsecured Notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facility on February 20, 2002. Provision for Income Taxes. For the year ending August 30, 2003, the annual effective tax rate is expected to be 5% on pretax income from operations. The effective tax rate shown for each quarter of the fiscal years ended 2003 and 2002 may fluctuate due to limitations on the maximum year-to-date tax benefits allowed to be recorded. For the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002, the Company recorded income tax expense of $1,165,000 and $5,201,000, respectively, which represents an effective tax rate of 6% and 110%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 represents the anticipated annual tax rate primarily attributable to state taxes. No federal tax expense is anticipated in fiscal 2003 due to the ability of the Company to utilize its existing net operating loss carry-forwards. No net federal income tax benefit is reflected in the income statement for net operating losses to be carried forward since realization of the potential benefit of net operating loss carry-forwards is not considered to be more likely than not. The Company's effective tax rate for the quarter ending May 25, 2002 relates to the expected annual benefits from the net operating loss carry back attributable to Taylor Senior Holding Corp (TSHC) as a percentage of the Company's expected annual pretax loss from continuing operations. Net Income (Loss). As a result of the foregoing, we reported net income of $19.2 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 as compared to a net loss of $0.5 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. 24 SEASONALITY Our scholastic product sales tend to be seasonal. Class ring sales are highest during October through December (which overlaps our first and second fiscal quarters), when students have returned to school after the summer recess and orders are taken for class rings for delivery to students before the winter holiday season. Sales of our fine paper products are predominantly made during February through April (which overlaps our second and third fiscal quarters) for graduation in May and June. We have historically experienced operating losses during the period of our fourth fiscal quarter, which includes the summer months when school is not in session, thus reducing related shipment of products. Yearbook sales are highest during the months of May through June, as yearbooks are typically shipped to schools prior to the school's summer break. Our recognition and affinity product line sales are also seasonal. The majority of the sales of achievement publications are shipped in November of each year. The remaining recognition and affinity product line sales are highest during the winter holiday season and in the period prior to Mother's Day. As a result, the effects of the seasonality of the class ring business on us are somewhat tempered by our relatively broad product mix. As a result of the foregoing, our working capital requirements tend to exceed our operating cash flows from July through December. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Operating Activities. Operating activities provided cash of $29.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 as compared with $23.6 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. The $6.1 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was attributable to a net decrease in prepaid expenses, other current assets, and other assets of $3.3 million, a decrease in inventories of $2.2 million, and an increase in net income (net of adjustments) of $11.7 million. These items were partially offset by a decreases in customer deposits of $5.8 million, deferred revenue of $2.3 million, and accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other long-term liabilities of $3.2 million. Investing Activities. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and May 25, 2002 were $8.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively. Our projected capital expenditures for 2003 are expected to be approximately $12.0 million. Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $19.1 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2003 and was $16.0 million for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. For the nine months ended May 31, 2003, cash generated was used to pay down $19.2 million of the Senior Secured Credit Facility. For the nine months ended May 25, 2002, payments were made on our former term loan facility and partially offset by borrowings on the revolver. Capital Resources. In February 2002, we issued $177 million of Unsecured Notes due in 2007 and entered into a new $40 million Senior Secured Credit Facility. As of May 31, 2003, $6.0 million under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was outstanding. In connection with the Taylor Acquisition, CBI signed a gold consignment financing agreement with a bank. Under its gold consignment financing agreement, CBI has the ability to have on consignment the lowest of (i) the dollar value of 27,000 troy ounces of gold, (ii) $10.1 million and (iii) a borrowing base, determined based upon a percentage of gold located at CBI's facilities and other approved locations, as specified by the agreement. Under the terms of the consignment arrangement, CBI does not own the consigned gold nor have risk of loss related to such inventory until the money is received by the bank from CBI in payment for the gold purchased. Accordingly, CBI does not include the values of consigned gold in its inventory or the corresponding liability for financial statement purposes. As of May 31, 2003 and August 31, 2002, CBI held approximately 20,763 ounces and 14,830 ounces, respectively, of gold valued at $7.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, on consignment from the bank. 25 Cash generated from operating activities and availability under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and our prior facilities, which were paid off in February 2002, have been our principal sources of liquidity. Our liquidity needs arise primarily from debt service, working capital, capital expenditure and general corporate requirements. As of May 31, 2003 we had approximately $31.8 million available under our Senior Secured Credit Facility. We believe that cash flow from our operating activities combined with the availability of funds under our senior secured credit facility will be sufficient to support our operations and liquidity requirements for the foreseeable future. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In August 2001, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. SFAS No. 143 became effective for us in fiscal year 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 143 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," that was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." This statement requires, among other things, that gains and losses on the early extinguishments of debt be classified as extraordinary only if they meet the criteria for extraordinary treatment set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30. The provisions of this statement related to classification of gains and losses on the early extinguishments of debt are effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002. The adoption of this standard required us to reclassify a $5.7 million loss from early extinguishment from extraordinary items into operating expenses for the nine months ended May 25, 2002. In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." This Statement requires recording costs associated with exit or disposal activities at their fair values when a liability has been incurred. Under previous guidance, certain exit costs were accrued upon management's commitment to an exit plan, which is generally before an actual liability has been incurred. The provisions of this statement are effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. In December 2002 the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45 ("FIN No. 45") "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others an interpretation of FASB Statements No. 5, 57, and 107 and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34," which addresses the disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under guarantees and clarifies the requirements related to the recognition of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of a guarantee for the obligations the guarantor has undertaken in issuing that guarantee. FIN No. 45 becomes effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods ending after December 15, 2002. The adoption of FIN No. 45 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. 26 ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Interest Rate Risk. We have market risk exposure from changes in interest rates on our variable rate debt. Our policy is to manage interest rate exposure through the use of a combination of fixed and floating rate debt instruments and through the use of interest rate swaps. Our Senior Secured Facility and our gold consignment facility are variable rate facilities. The interest rates under these facilities are based on a floating benchmark rate (such as LIBOR or the Federal Funds rate) plus a fixed spread. Our derivatives and other financial instruments subject to interest rate risk consist of long-term debt, an interest rate swap and notional amount under the gold consignment agreement. The net market value of these financial instruments at May 31, 2003 represented a net liability of $13.5 million. Semi-Precious Stones. We purchase the majority of our semi-precious stones from a single source supplier in Germany. We believe that all of our major competitors purchase their semi-precious stones from this same supplier. The purchases are payable in Euros. In order to hedge our market risk, we have from time-to-time purchased forward currency contracts. During the nine months ended May 31, 2003, we did not purchase any forward contracts. Gold. We purchase all of our gold requirements from The Bank of Nova Scotia through our revolving credit and gold consignment agreement. We consign the majority of our gold from The Bank of Nova Scotia and pay for gold as the product is shipped to customers and as required by the terms of the gold consignment agreement. As of May 31, 2003, we had hedged a majority of our gold requirements for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2003 by covering the majority of our estimated gold requirements through the purchase of gold options. 27 ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES As of a date within 90 days of the date of this report (the "Evaluation Date"), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure control and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Based upon this evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Additionally, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer determined, as of a date within 90 days of the date of this report, that there were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect our internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations will be achieved. Any change in or adverse development, including the following factors, may impact the achievement of results in or accuracy of forward-looking statements: the price of gold and precious, semiprecious and synthetic stones; the Company's access to students and consumers in schools; the seasonality of the Company's business; regulatory and accounting rules; the Company's relationship with its independent sales representatives; fashion and demographic trends; general economic, business, and market trends and events, especially during peak buying seasons for the Company's products; the Company's ability to respond to customer change orders and delivery schedules; development and operating costs; competitive pricing changes; successful completion of management initiatives designed to achieve operating efficiencies; the Company's cash flows; and the Company's ability to draw down funds under its current bank financings and to enter into new bank financings. The foregoing factors are not exhaustive. New factors may emerge or changes may occur that impact the Company's operations and businesses. Forward-looking statements herein are expressly qualified on the foregoing or such other factors as may be applicable. 28 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or to which any of its property is subject. The Company monitors all claims, and the Company accrues for those, if any, which management believes may be adversely decided against the Company and result in money damages to a third party. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS None ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES None ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS None ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits 99.1 CEO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 99.2 CFO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (b) Reports on Form 8-K None 29 AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on July 11, 2003. AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT CORPORATION By: /s/ DAVID G. FIORE ----------------------------------------- David G. Fiore CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER By: /s/ SHERICE P. BENCH ----------------------------------------- Sherice P. Bench CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 30 CERTIFICATION ACCOMPANYING PERIODIC REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C. SEC. 1350) I, David G. Fiore, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Achievement Corporation, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of American Achievement Corporation; 2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: July 11, 2003 /s/ DAVID G. FIORE -------------------------------------- Name: David G. Fiore Title: President and Chief Executive Officer CERTIFICATION ACCOMPANYING PERIODIC REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 (18 U.S.C. SEC. 1350) I, Sherice P. Bench, Chief Financial Officer of American Achievement Corporation, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of American Achievement Corporation; 2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have: (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; (b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and (c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely effect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: July 11, 2003 /s/ SHERICE P. BENCH -------------------------------------- Name: Sherice P. Bench Title: Chief Financial Officer EXHIBIT INDEX <Table> <Caption> EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 99.1 CEO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 99.2 CFO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As, Adopted Pursuant To Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 </Table>