PBSJ Corp. Unable to File Annual Report

The PBSJ Corporation is a global engineering and architectural firm headquartered in Florida.

In its recent SEC filings (here and here), the company announced that it was unable to file its Annual Report due to an FCPA internal investigation "in connection with certain projects undertaken by PBS&J International, Inc., one of the Company’s subsidiaries, in certain foreign countries."

The filing indicates that:

"The Company is unable to determine at this time (i) whether the results of the internal investigation will indicate that its internal controls over financial reporting were not operating effectively, (ii) the impact, if any, such internal investigation may have on the Company’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting that the Company is required to include in the Form 10-K, or (iii) the effect, if any, such internal investigation may have on the Company’s financial statements to be included in the Form 10-K."

According to the filing:

"The Company has self-reported to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) the circumstances surrounding this internal investigation. Should the SEC or DOJ decide to conduct its own investigation, the Company will cooperate fully."

PBS&J International, Inc.'s "previous international assignments have extended to nearly every corner of the world" and its "recent global pursuits have centered on prominent projects in the Middle East, North Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and Australia" - according to the company's website (see here).

While it is increasingly common for a company to disclose such FCPA issues (see here for prior posts on voluntary disclosure), it is rather unusual for the FCPA disclosure to prevent the company from otherwise meeting its disclosure requirements under the securities laws.

For local media coverage of PBSJ's disclosure (see here).