1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             ----------------------

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
/X/     QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
        FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 1998

/ /     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
        FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                TO 
                                       --------------    --------------

                          COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-6089

                                 H&R BLOCK, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

                    MISSOURI                                    44-0607856
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                      (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
         INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                     IDENTIFICATION NO.)

                                4400 MAIN STREET
                           KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64111
          (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES, INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

                                 (816) 753-6900
              (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)


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 / /

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Common Stock, without par
value, at September 1, 1998 was 100,534,662 shares.


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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
PART I     Financial Information

           Consolidated Balance Sheets
              July 31, 1998 and April 30, 1998 ...........................   1

           Consolidated Statements of Operations
              Three Months Ended July 31, 1998 and 1997 ..................   2

           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
              Three Months Ended July 31, 1998 and 1997 ..................   3

           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ....................   4

           Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations.........................   8

           Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.....  11

PART II    Other Information..............................................  12

SIGNATURES ...............................................................  13


   3

                                 H&R BLOCK, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS

JULY 31, APRIL 30, 1998 1998 ---- ---- ASSETS (UNAUDITED) (AUDITED) CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 696,210 $ 900,856 Marketable securities 139,657 346,158 Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $45,870 and $45,314 813,697 793,237 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 123,363 103,026 ------------- ------------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,772,927 2,143,277 INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS Investments in marketable securities 277,369 289,096 Excess of cost over fair value of net tangible assets acquired, net of amortization 295,803 288,580 Other 108,346 105,809 ------------- ------------- 681,518 683,485 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization 72,901 77,321 ------------- ------------- $ 2,527,346 $ 2,904,083 ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Notes payable $ 765,503 $ 643,002 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and deposits 97,880 114,875 Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes 16,254 96,168 Accrued taxes on earnings 222,933 422,847 ------------- ------------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,102,570 1,276,892 LONG-TERM DEBT 249,688 249,675 OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 38,365 35,884 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Common stock, no par, stated value $.01 per share 1,089 1,089 Additional paid-in capital 432,165 432,335 Retained earnings 961,530 1,010,545 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (30,982) (24,515) ------------- ------------- 1,363,802 1,419,454 Less cost of 5,436,964 and 1,992,043 shares of common stock in treasury 227,079 77,822 ------------- ------------- 1,136,723 1,341,632 ------------- ------------- $ 2,527,346 $ 2,904,083 ============= =============
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -1- 4 H&R BLOCK, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS UNAUDITED, AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
THREE MONTHS ENDED ------------------ JULY 31, -------- 1998 1997 ---- ---- REVENUES Service revenues $ 47,702 $ 30,360 Product revenues 28,642 6,011 Royalties 1,067 1,017 Other 1,476 1,822 ------------- ------------- 78,887 39,210 ------------- ------------- OPERATING EXPENSES Employee compensation and benefits 43,435 30,193 Occupancy and equipment 40,761 35,600 Interest 17,551 8,238 Marketing and advertising 3,798 3,299 Supplies, freight and postage 3,074 2,117 Other 28,899 20,462 ------------- ------------- 137,518 99,909 ------------- ------------- Operating loss (58,631) (60,699) OTHER INCOME Investment income, net 13,890 5,190 ------------- ------------- Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (44,741) (55,509) Income tax benefit (17,002) (20,648) ------------- ------------- Net loss from continuing operations (27,739) (34,861) Net loss from discontinued operations (less applicable income tax benefit of ($1,489)) - (3,274) ------------- ------------- Net loss $ (27,739) $ (38,135) ============= ============= Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 104,976 104,102 ============= ============= Basic and diluted net loss per share from continuing operations $ (.26) $ (.33) ============= ============= Basic and diluted net loss per share $ (.26) $ (.37) ============= ============= Dividends per share $ .20 $ .20 ============= =============
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -2- 5 H&R BLOCK, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS UNAUDITED, AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, -------- 1998 1997 ---- ---- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ (27,739) $ (38,135) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 13,388 8,796 Other noncurrent liabilities 2,481 1,146 Changes in: Receivables (20,460) 342,147 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (20,337) (21,439) Net assets of discontinued operations - 4,177 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and deposits (16,995) (19,605) Accrued salaries, wages and payroll taxes (79,914) (96,471) Accrued taxes on earnings (200,487) (39,936) -------------- -------------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES (350,063) 140,680 -------------- -------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of marketable securities (117,868) (111,837) Maturities of marketable securities 337,604 138,738 Purchases of property and equipment (4,018) (4,149) Excess of cost over fair value of net tangible assets acquired, net of cash acquired (12,127) (223,209) Other, net (9,986) (5,138) -------------- -------------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES 193,605 (205,595) -------------- -------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repayments of notes payable (1,762,864) (2,808,632) Proceeds from issuance of notes payable 1,885,365 2,740,059 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 13 - Dividends paid (21,275) (20,816) Payments to acquire treasury shares (153,788) - Proceeds from stock options exercised 4,361 1,145 -------------- -------------- NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (48,188) (88,244) -------------- -------------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (204,646) (153,159) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD 900,856 457,079 -------------- -------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF THE PERIOD $ 696,210 $ 303,920 ============== ============== SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES: Income taxes paid $ 182,815 $ 19,950 Interest paid 13,952 5,668
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -3- 6 H&R BLOCK, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except share data 1. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 31, 1998, the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended July 31, 1998 and 1997, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended July 31, 1998 and 1997 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at July 31, 1998 and for all periods presented have been made. Reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform with the current year presentation. Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries and companies that are directly or indirectly controlled by the Company through majority ownership or otherwise. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's April 30, 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders. Operating revenues are seasonal in nature with peak revenues occurring in the months of January through April. Thus, the three-month results are not indicative of results to be expected for the year. 2. On January 31, 1998, the Company completed the sale of all of its interest in CompuServe Corporation (CompuServe) to a subsidiary of WorldCom, Inc. (WorldCom). The Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended July 31, 1997 and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended July 31, 1997 have been reclassified to reflect CompuServe as discontinued operations. CompuServe's revenues for the three months ended July 31, 1997 were $205.7 million. 3. Receivables consist of the following:
July 31, April 30, -------- --------- 1998 1998 ---- ---- (Audited) Mortgage loans held for sale $ 513,007 $ 448,102 Credit card loans 194,566 202,852 Other 151,994 187,597 -------------- --------------- 859,567 838,551 Allowance for doubtful accounts 45,870 45,314 -------------- --------------- $ 813,697 $ 793,237 ============== ===============
-4- 7 4. The Company files its Federal and state income tax returns on a calendar year basis. The Consolidated Statements of Operations reflect the effective tax rates expected to be applicable for the respective full fiscal years. 5. Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net loss per share excludes the impact of common stock options outstanding of 8,669,184 shares and the conversion of 1,088 shares of preferred stock to common stock, as they are antidilutive. The weighted average shares outstanding for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 increased to 104,976,000 from 104,102,000 last year, due to stock option exercises during fiscal 1998. The increase was partially reduced by the repurchase of treasury shares by the Company during the period from February 1998 to July 1998. 6. During the three months ended July 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company issued 111,379 and 50,145 shares, respectively, pursuant to provisions for exercise of stock options under its stock option plans. During the three months ended July 31, 1998, the Company acquired 3,556,300 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $153,788. 7. CompuServe, certain current and former officers and directors of CompuServe and the registrant have been named as defendants in six lawsuits pending before the state and Federal courts in Columbus, Ohio. All suits allege similar violations of the Securities Act of 1933 based on assertions of omissions and misstatements of fact in connection with CompuServe's public filings related to its initial public offering in April 1996. One state lawsuit also alleges certain oral omissions and misstatements in connection with such offering. Relief sought in the lawsuits is unspecified, but includes pleas for rescission and damages. One Federal lawsuit names the lead underwriters of CompuServe's initial public offering as additional defendants and as representatives of a defendant class consisting of all underwriters who participated in such offering. The Federal suits have been consolidated, the defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated suits, and the court has stayed all proceedings pending the outcome of the state court suits. The four state court lawsuits also allege violations of various state statutes and common law of negligent misrepresentation in addition to the 1933 Act claims. The state lawsuits have been consolidated for discovery purposes and defendants have filed a motion for summary judgment covering all four state lawsuits. In the state lawsuits, the court entered an order in July 1998 that the suits entitled Harvey Greenfield v. CompuServe Corporation, et al., Jeffrey Schnipper v. CompuServe Corporation, and Philip Silverglate v. CompuServe Corporation, et al. be maintained as a class action on behalf of the following class: "All persons and entities who purchased shares of common stock of CompuServe Corporation between April 18, 1996 pursuant to the CompuServe's initial public offering or on the open market and July 16, 1996, and who were damaged thereby. All named defendants to these consolidated actions, members of their immediate families, any entity in which they have a controlling interest, and their legal representatives, heirs, successors or assigns are excluded from the class." Plaintiffs Greenfield, Schnipper and Silverglate were designated as class representatives. The Florida State Board of Administration v. CompuServe Corporation, et al. case pending in -5- 8 state court was not included in the class certification order as the plaintiff in such case did not seek class certification of its action. As a part of the sale of its interest in CompuServe, the Company has agreed to indemnify WorldCom and CompuServe against 80.1% of any losses and expenses incurred by them with respect to these lawsuits. The defendants are vigorously defending these lawsuits. 8. Summarized financial information for Block Financial Corporation, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is presented below.
July 31, April 30, 1998 1998 ---- ---- (Audited) Condensed balance sheets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 93,138 $ 30,895 Finance receivables, net 791,901 737,005 Other assets 315,438 311,759 ---------- ---------- Total assets $1,200,477 $1,079,659 ========== ========== Commercial paper $ 765,503 $ 643,002 Long-term debt 249,688 249,675 Other liabilities 51,268 57,372 Stockholder's equity 134,018 129,610 ---------- ---------- Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $1,200,477 $1,079,659 ========== ==========
Three months ended ------------------ July 31, -------- 1998 1997 ---- ---- Condensed statements of operations: Revenues $ 61,829 $ 28,609 Earnings (loss) from operations 7,148 (6,330) Net earnings (loss) 4,427 (3,887)
9. The Company sells short treasury securities under an open repurchase agreement that can be adjusted at any time by either party. The position on certain or all of the fixed rate mortgages is closed when the Company enters into a forward commitment to sell those mortgages. Deferred losses on the treasury securities hedging instrument amounted to $1,153 at July 31, 1998. The contract value and the market value of this hedging instrument at July 31, 1998 was $54,578 and $54,821, respectively. The contract value and market value of the forward commitment at July 31, 1998 was $335,000 and $330,913, respectively. 10. In the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130). SFAS 130 requires that all changes in equity during the period, except those resulting from investments by and distributions to owners, be reported as "comprehensive income" in the financial statements. The Company's comprehensive income is comprised of net earnings (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments and the change in the net unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities. The adoption of SFAS 130 had no effect on the Company's consolidated financial -6- 9 statements. The components of comprehensive income (loss) during the three months ended July 30, 1998 and 1997 were:
Three months ended ------------------ July 31, -------- 1998 1997 ---- ---- Net loss $(27,739) $(38,135) Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on mkt. securities 935 463 Change in foreign currency translation adjustments (7,402) (106) -------- -------- Comprehensive income (loss) $(34,206) $(37,778) ======== ========
11. In the first quarter of fiscal year 1999, the Company acquired operations that management determined to be a new reportable operating segment. The new segment, Business services, is primarily engaged in providing accounting, tax and consulting services to business clients and tax, estate planning and financial planning services to individuals. The Business services segment offers its services through a regional accounting firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. Revenues of this segment are seasonal in nature. Information concerning the Company's operations by reportable operating segments for the three months ended July 31, 1998 and 1997 is as follows:
Three months ended ------------------ July 31, -------- 1998 1997 ---- ---- Revenues: U.S. tax operations $ 12,179 $ 11,432 International tax operations 3,437 3,380 Mortgage operations 52,705 14,208 Credit card operations 8,314 9,307 Business services 1,330 - Unallocated corporate 922 1,010 Inter-segment sales - (127) -------- -------- $ 78,887 $ 39,210 ======== ======== Earnings (loss) from continuing operations: U.S. tax operations $(57,493) $(49,338) International tax operations (5,971) (5,124) Mortgage operations 13,787 (491) Credit card operations (1,966) (2,982) Business services (114) - Unallocated corporate (2,431) (1,183) Acquisition interest expense (4,443) (1,581) Investment income, net 13,890 5,190 -------- -------- Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit $(44,741) $(55,509) ======== ========
-7- 10 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FINANCIAL CONDITION These comments should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows found on pages 1 and 3, respectively. Working capital decreased to $670.4 million at July 31, 1998 from $866.4 million at April 30, 1998. The working capital ratio at July 31, 1998 is 1.6 to 1, compared to 1.7 to 1 at April 30, 1998. The decrease in working capital and the working capital ratio is primarily due to the repurchase of treasury shares and the seasonal nature of the Company's U.S. tax operations segment. Tax return preparation occurs almost entirely in the fourth quarter and has the effect of increasing certain assets and liabilities during this time. The Company maintains seasonal lines of credit to support short-term borrowing facilities in the United States and Canada. The credit limits of these lines fluctuate according to the amount of short-term borrowings outstanding during the year. The Company incurs short-term borrowings throughout the year to fund receivables associated with its nonconforming mortgage loan, credit card and other financial services programs. These short-term borrowings in the U.S. are supported by a $1.3 billion back-up credit facility through November 1998, subject to renewal. The Company's capital expenditures and dividend payments during the first three months were funded through internally-generated funds. At July 31, 1998, short-term borrowings used to fund mortgage loans, credit cards and other programs increased to $765.5 million from $643.0 million at April 30, 1998 due mainly to the funding of mortgage operations. For the three months ended July 31, 1998 and 1997, interest expense was $17.6 million and $8.2 million, respectively. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to the funding of mortgage operations with short-term borrowings and the long-term debt issued to fund the acquisition of Option One Mortgage Corporation (Option One). The Company announced in December 1993 its intention to repurchase from time to time up to 10 million of its shares on the open market. In July 1996, the Company announced its intention to repurchase up to 10 million additional shares in the open market over a two-year period following the separation of CompuServe. At July 31, 1998, 8.7 million shares had been repurchased. The Company plans to continue to purchase its shares on the open market in accordance with these authorizations, subject to various factors including the price of the stock, availability of excess cash, the ability to maintain financial flexibility, and other investment opportunities available. -8- 11 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FISCAL 1999 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1998 The analysis that follows should be read in conjunction with the table below and the Consolidated Statements of Operations found on page 2.
THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1998 COMPARED TO -------------------------------------------- THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1997 -------------------------------- (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) Revenues Earnings (loss) -------------------------------- ------------------------------ 1998 1997 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- ---- U.S. tax operations $ 12,179 $ 11,432 $ (57,493) $ (49,338) International tax operations 3,437 3,380 (5,971) (5,124) Mortgage operations 52,705 14,208 13,787 (491) Credit card operations 8,314 9,307 (1,966) (2,982) Business services 1,330 - (114) - Unallocated corporate 922 1,010 (2,431) (1,183) Acquisition interest expense - - (4,443) (1,581) Investment income, net - - 13,890 5,190 Inter-segment sales - (127) - - --------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- $ 78,887 $ 39,210 (44,741) (55,509) =============== ============== Income tax benefit (17,002) (20,648) -------------- ------------- Net loss from continuing operations (27,739) (34,861) Net loss from discontinued operations - (3,274) -------------- ------------- Net loss $ (27,739) $ (38,135) ============== =============
Consolidated revenues for the three months ended July 31, 1998 increased 101.2% to $78.9 million from $39.2 million reported last year. The increase is primarily due to revenues from Mortgage operations of $52.7 million, a 271.0% increase over last year. The consolidated pretax loss from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 1999 decreased to $44.7 million from $55.5 million in the first quarter of last year. The decrease is attributable to Mortgage operations' pretax earnings of $13.8 million compared to a pretax loss of $491 thousand in the first quarter of last year and increased investment income. The net loss from continuing operations was $27.7 million, or $.26 per share, compared to $34.9 million, or $.33 per share, for the same period last year. -9- 12 An analysis of operations by reportable operating segments follows. U.S. TAX OPERATIONS Revenues increased 6.5% to $12.2 million from $11.4 million last year, resulting primarily from higher tax preparation fees that are attributable to increases in pricing. The pretax loss increased 16.5% to $57.5 million from $49.3 million in the first quarter of last year due to normal operational increases in compensation, rent and other facility-related expenses. Also contributing to the increases in rent and other facility-related expenses is an increase in the amount of tax office space maintained under lease during this year's off-season. Due to the nature of this segment's business, first quarter operating results are not indicative of expected results for the entire fiscal year. INTERNATIONAL TAX OPERATIONS Revenues increased 1.7% to $3.4 million compared to the prior year's first quarter. The increase is principally attributable to an increase in tax preparation fees in Australia resulting from both increases in the number of returns prepared over last year and higher prices, along with increased royalities from overseas franchises. These increases were partially offset by decreased tax preparation fees in Canada due to a decline in the number of returns prepared. The pretax loss increased 16.5% to $6.0 million from $5.1 million last year. The increase is due to continued expansion in the United Kingdom, with an increase of 16 offices over the same period last year, and normal operational increases in compensation, rent and other facility-related expenses in Canada. The increased losses were partially reduced by improved results over the prior quarter in Australia. Due to the nature of this segment's business, first quarter operating results are not indicative of expected results for the entire fiscal year. MORTGAGE OPERATIONS Revenues increased 271.0% to $52.7 million from $14.2 million in the same period last year. The increase is attributable to Option One, which was acquired on June 17, 1997. Option One contributed revenues of $44.3 million for the quarter compared to $9.1 million for the one-and-a-half-month period last year. Option One originated and sold $779.9 million and $705.5 million in loans, respectively, during the first quarter of fiscal 1999. Companion Mortgage also contributed improved revenues due to interest income earned on higher balances of mortgage loans held for sale. Mortgage operations contributed pretax earnings of $13.8 million this year compared to a $491 thousand pretax loss during the first quarter of fiscal 1998. Option One contributed earnings of $14.0 million, including goodwill amortization of $3.1 million. CREDIT CARD OPERATIONS Revenues decreased 10.7% to $8.3 million from $9.3 million in the prior year due to a decline in the average revolving credit card balance by 21.0% from the first quarter of fiscal 1998. -10- 13 The pretax loss declined 34.1% to $2.0 million from $3.0 million last year. The decrease is attributable to lower marketing and advertising expenses and lower service fees resulting from the decrease in the number of credit cards outstanding. BUSINESS SERVICES Business services is a new reportable operating segment for fiscal year 1999. The Company acquired its first accounting firm in May 1998, which contributed revenues of $1.3 million and a pretax loss of $114 thousand for the first quarter of fiscal 1999, including goodwill amortization of $73 thousand. Due to the nature of this segment's business, revenues are slightly seasonal, while expenses are relatively fixed throughout the year. Results for the first quarter are not indicative of the expected results for the entire year. INVESTMENT INCOME, NET Net investment income increased 167.6% to $13.9 million from $5.2 million last year. The increase is due to additional funds available for investment resulting from the proceeds of the monetization of WorldCom, Inc. stock during fiscal 1998. UNALLOCATED CORPORATE AND ADMINISTRATIVE The unallocated corporate and administrative pretax loss for the first quarter increased 105.5% to $2.4 million from $1.2 million in the comparable period last year. The increase is a result of the start-up of a business which offers financial planning services through the Company's tax offices, and increased employee costs, technology and shareholder-related expenses. Acquisition interest expense of $4.4 million represents the interest on the debt associated with the acquisition of Option One. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK There have been no material changes in market risk from those reported at April 30, 1998. -11- 14 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. CompuServe, certain current and former officers and directors of CompuServe and the registrant have been named as defendants in six lawsuits pending before the state and Federal courts in Columbus, Ohio. All suits involve claims based on allegations of omissions and misstatements of fact in connection with CompuServe's initial public offering in April 1996. Relief sought in the lawsuits is unspecified, but includes pleas for rescission and damages. The Federal suits have been consolidated, the defendants have filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated suits, and the court has stayed all proceedings pending the outcome of the state court suits. The state lawsuits have been consolidated for discovery purposes and defendants have filed a motion for summary judgment covering all four state lawsuits. In the state lawsuits, the court entered an order in July 1998 that the suits entitled Harvey Greenfield v. CompuServe Corporation, et al., Jeffrey Schnipper v. CompuServe Corporation, and Philip Silverglate v. CompuServe Corporation, et al. be maintained as a class action on behalf of the following class: "All persons and entities who purchased shares of common stock of CompuServe Corporation between April 18, 1996 pursuant to the CompuServe's initial public offering or on the open market and July 16, 1996, and who were damaged thereby. All named defendants to these consolidated actions, members of their immediate families, any entity in which they have a controlling interest, and their legal representatives, heirs, successors or assigns are excluded from the class." Plaintiffs Greenfield, Schnipper and Silverglate were designated as class representatives. The Florida State Board of Administration v. CompuServe Corporation, et al. case pending in state court was not included in the class certification order as the plaintiff in such case did not seek class certification of its action. The defendants continue to vigorously defend these lawsuits. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. a) Exhibits 10(a) Employment Agreement between HRB Management, Inc. and Mark A. Ernst (27) Financial Data Schedule b) Reports on Form 8-K A Form 8-K, Current Report, dated July 20, 1998, was filed by the registrant reporting as an "Item 4" the change in the Registrant's certifying accountant. The registrant reported under "Item 7" the letter from the previous auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The registrant did not file any other reports on Form 8-K during the first quarter of fiscal 1999. -12- 15 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. H&R BLOCK, INC. ------------------------------------ (Registrant) DATE 9/14/98 BY /s/ Ozzie Wenich ------- ------------------------------------ Ozzie Wenich Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer DATE 9/14/98 BY /s/ Cheryl L. Givens ------- ------------------------------------ Cheryl L.Givens Vice President and Corporate Controller -13-
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                                                                   Exhibit 10(a)

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into as of the 16th day 
of July, 1998, by and between HRB MANAGEMENT, INC., a Missouri corporation 
("HRB") and MARK A. ERNST ("Executive").

                                   ARTICLE ONE

                                   EMPLOYMENT

     1.01 - Agreement as to Employment. Effective September 1, 1998 (the
"Employment Date"), HRB hereby employs Executive as Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer of H&R BLOCK, INC., a Missouri corporation ("Block") and
the indirect parent corporation of HRB, and Executive hereby accepts such
employment by HRB, subject to the terms of this Agreement. Subject to the terms
of Section 1.06 of this Agreement, either party may terminate this Agreement for
any reason, or no reason, by providing not less than 45 days' prior written
notice of such termination to the other party, and, if such notice is properly
given, this Agreement and Executive's employment hereunder shall terminate as of
the close of business on the 45th day after such notice is deemed to have been
given or such later date as is specified in such notice. Any termination of this
Agreement shall not be effective as to those portions of this Agreement which,
by their express terms as set forth below, require performance by either party
following termination of this Agreement.

     1.02 - Duties. (a) Executive is employed by HRB to serve as the Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Block subject to the authority and
direction of Block's Board of Directors (the "Board") and the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Block, and, subject to the foregoing, the Executive
shall have such authority and responsibility and duties as are normally
associated with the position of Chief Operating Officer.

     (b) So long as he is employed under this Agreement, Executive agrees to
devote his full business time and efforts exclusively on behalf of HRB and Block
and to competently and diligently discharge his duties hereunder. Executive
shall not be prohibited from engaging in such personal, charitable, or other
nonemployment activities as do not interfere with his full-time employment
hereunder and which do not violate the other provisions of this Agreement.
Executive may, following approval by the Board, become a member of the board of
directors of a "for-profit" corporation or entity. Such approval will not be
unreasonably withheld by the Board but such approval may be withheld if the
Board reasonably determines that such activity conflicts with Executive's duties
hereunder, either in terms of Executive's time to be devoted thereto or in terms
of the relationship of such 

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corporation's or entity's business to the present or future business then
conducted or proposed to be conducted by Block, whether or not such business is
directly competitive with the business of Block. Executive shall comply fully
with all reasonable policies of HRB and Block as are from time to time in effect
and applicable to his position.

         1.03 - Compensation. (a) Base Salary. HRB shall pay to Executive during
the period between the Employment Date and August 31, 1999, a minimum gross
salary at an annual rate of $400,000 ("Base Salary"), payable semimonthly or at
any other pay periods as HRB may use for its other executive employees. The Base
Salary shall be reviewed for adjustment by the Board or appropriate committee
thereof no less often than annually during the term of Executive's employment
hereunder and, if adjusted by the Board, such adjusted amount shall become the
"Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.

         (b) Short-Term Incentive Compensation. As approved by the Compensation
Committee of the Board, Executive shall participate in the H&R Block Short-Term
Incentive Plan for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1999. Under such Plan, the
Executive shall have a target bonus for fiscal year 1999 of $240,000 and an
opportunity to earn 200% of such target bonus. The payment of the actual award
under the Plan shall be based upon such performance criteria as shall be
determined by the Compensation Committee at its meeting in June 1998. For
purposes of Executive's participation in such Plan for the fiscal year ending
April 30, 1999, Executive's actual incentive compensation shall be prorated
based upon the number of months during such year that he is actually employed by
HRB.

         (c) Stock Options. As approved by the Compensation Committee of the
Board, Executive is granted on the Employment Date a stock option under Block's
1993 Long-Term Executive Compensation Plan to purchase 150,000 shares of Block's
common stock at a price per share equal to the closing price thereof on the New
York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. Such option shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the date of grant and shall vest and become exercisable as to
one-third of the shares covered thereby on each of the first three anniversaries
of the date of grant. The stock option shall be an incentive stock option for
the maximum number of shares permitted by Internal Revenue Code Section 422 and
the regulations promulgated thereunder, and shall otherwise be a nonqualified
stock option.

         (d) Restricted Stock. As approved by the Compensation Committee of the
Board, Executive shall be awarded promptly after the date of the commencement of
his employment, 36,000 Restricted Shares of Block's common stock under Block's
1993 Long-Term Executive Compensation Plan. One-third of the 36,000 shares shall


                                       2
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vest, respectively, on each of the first three anniversaries following such
employment commencement date. Prior to the time such shares of Restricted Stock
are so vested, Executive shall be entitled to receive any cash dividends payable
with respect to unvested shares and vote such unvested shares at any meeting of
shareholders of Block.

         (e)  Relocation Benefits.

                   (i) HRB shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable
     packing, shipping and transportation costs incurred by Executive in
     relocating himself, his family and personal property from Minneapolis,
     Minnesota, to the Greater Kansas City Area, regardless of when such costs
     are incurred. In addition, HRB shall reimburse Executive for the costs of
     interim (up to 120 days after the date of this Agreement) housing in Kansas
     City, prior to the time Executive's family relocates to Kansas City and for
     the costs of air fare, parking, etc., for weekend trips to Minneapolis
     during such period.

                   (ii) HRB shall reimburse Executive for the reasonable and
     customary charges for real estate commissions and legal fees and expenses,
     if any, in connection with the sale of Executive's residence in
     Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the purchase of a residence in the Greater
     Kansas City Area.

                   (iii) Executive shall exercise his reasonable best efforts
     to cause the sale at the highest price of his Minnesota residence. In the
     event that, despite such efforts, Executive is unable to sell such
     residence within five months after the date of this Agreement, upon request
     by Executive, HRB shall either: purchase such residence, free and clear of
     all liens and encumbrances, at a price equal to the mean average of three
     appraisals by three qualified, independent appraisers (one selected and
     paid for by HRB; one selected by Executive and paid for by HRB; and one
     selected by such appraisers and paid for by HRB); or, at HRB's election,
     cause such purchase to be made by an independent relocation service in
     accordance with economically similar arrangements.

                   (iv) To the extent that Executive incurs taxable income
     related to any relocation benefits paid pursuant to this Agreement, HRB
     shall pay to Executive such additional amount as is necessary to "gross up"
     such benefits and cover the anticipated income tax liability resulting from
     such taxable income.


                                       3
   4
         1.04 - Business Expenses. HRB shall promptly pay directly, or reimburse
Executive for, all business expenses, to the extent such expenses are paid or
incurred by Executive during the term hereof in accordance with Block policy
approved by the Board and in effect from time to time and to the extent such
expenses are reasonable and necessary to the conduct by Executive of Block's
business.

         1.05 - Fringe Benefits. During the term of Executive's employment
hereunder, HRB shall make available to Executive such insurance, sick leave,
deferred compensation, stock options (also referred to in subsection 1.03(c)
above), retirement, vacation and other like benefits as are approved by the
Board or the Compensation Committee thereof and provided from time to time to
the other executive-level employees of HRB, Block or Block's other subsidiaries.

         1.06 - Termination of Employment. (a) If HRB terminates Executive's
employment pursuant to Section 1.01 of this Agreement without "cause" (as
defined in subsection 1.06(b), below), or if Executive terminates his employment
pursuant to Section 1.01 of this Agreement for "good reason" (as defined in
subsection 1.06(c), below), then, upon any such termination of Executive's
employment, (i) subject to subsection 3.04(d), HRB shall continue to pay to
Executive the Base Salary in effect upon such termination throughout the
two-year period following such termination as the same would have been made had
Executive remained employed by HRB hereunder; (ii) any portion of any option to
purchase shares of Block common stock granted pursuant to subsections 1.03(c) or
1.05 of this Agreement and held by Executive at the time of such termination of
employment that is not yet vested in accordance with its terms shall vest upon
the date of the termination of employment and shall be exercisable for a period
of three months after such date of termination of employment; (iii) all
restrictions on any Restricted Shares of Block common stock awarded pursuant to
subsection 1.03(d) of this Agreement and held by Executive at the time of such
termination of employment shall terminate and such common stock shall fully vest
upon the date of termination of Executive's employment; (iv) subject to
subsection 3.04(d), HRB shall, during the two-year period following such
termination, continue Executive's health, life and disability insurance
benefits, but only to the extent Executive does not obtain similar benefits paid
for by a third party after such termination; and (v) HRB shall pay to Executive,
at such times as the same would have been paid Executive had he remained
employed hereunder, a pro rata portion of any actual short-term incentive
compensation to which he would have been entitled had he remained employed
through the end of the fiscal year in which such termination occurs (such
portion to be the 


                                       4
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actual short-term incentive compensation earned for the fiscal year during 
which such termination occurs as is proportionate to the portion of such fiscal 
year in which he is actively employed hereunder.

         (b) As used in this Agreement, the term "cause" shall refer only to any
one or more of the following grounds:

                   (i) Executive's commission of an act materially and
     demonstrably detrimental to the good will of Block or any subsidiary of
     Block, which act constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct by the
     Executive in the performance of his material duties to Block; or

                   (ii) commission by Executive of any act of dishonesty or
     breach of trust resulting or intending to result in material personal gain
     or enrichment of Executive at the expense of Block or any subsidiary of
     Block; or

                   (iii) Executive's conviction of a misdemeanor (involving an
     act of moral turpitude) or a felony; or

                   (iv) for any reason (or no reason) at any time after the last
     day of Block's fiscal year during which Executive attains normal retirement
     age under Block's benefit plans; or

                   (v) Executive's death or total and permanent disability. The
     term "total and permanent disability" shall have the meaning ascribed
     thereto under any long-term disability plan maintained by HRB or Block for
     HRB executives.

         (c) As used in this Agreement, the term "good reason" shall refer to
any one or more of the following grounds upon which Executive elects to
terminate his employment pursuant to Section 1.01 of this Agreement:

                   (i) substantial reduction by Block (over the objection of
     Executive) in Executive's duties, authority or status; or

                   (ii) the failure, as of or before the date that is two years
     after the Employment Date, by Block to elect Executive as President and
     Chief Executive Officer of Block.

         (d) The termination of Executive's employment under this Agreement for
any reason (or no reason) by HRB or by Executive during the 180-day period
following the date of the 


                                       5
   6

occurrence of a "Change of Control" of Block shall be considered a termination 
of Executive's employment without cause for purposes of this Agreement. For the 
purpose of this subsection, a "Change of Control" shall mean:

                   (i) the acquisition, other than from Block, by any
     individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or
     14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
     Act")), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
     promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of the then outstanding
     voting securities of Block entitled to vote generally in the election of
     directors, but excluding, for this purpose, any such acquisition by Block
     or any of its subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan (or related trust)
     of Block or its subsidiaries, or any corporation with respect to which,
     following such acquisition, more than 50% of the then outstanding voting
     securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
     of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or
     substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
     owners of the voting securities of Block immediately prior to such
     acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership,
     immediately prior to such acquisition, of the then outstanding voting
     securities of Block entitled to vote generally in the election of
     directors, as the case may be; or

                   (ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the
     Board (as of the date hereof, the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason
     to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any
     individual or individuals becoming a director subsequent to the date
     hereof, whose election, or nomination for election by Block's shareholders,
     was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Board (or nominating
     committee of the Board) shall be considered as though such individual were
     a member or members of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
     purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in
     connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the
     election of the directors of Block (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11
     of Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act); or

                   (iii) approval by the shareholders of Block of a
     reorganization, merger or consolidation of Block, in each case, with
     respect to which all or 


                                       6
   7


     substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the respective
     beneficial owners of the voting securities of Block immediately prior to
     such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, following such
     reorganization, merger or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or
     indirectly, more than 50% of the then outstanding voting securities
     entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the corporation
     resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation, or a complete
     liquidation or dissolution of Block or of the sale or other disposition of
     all or substantially all of the assets of Block.

         (e) Upon termination of Executive's employment under this Agreement,
HRB shall have no further obligations under this Agreement and no further
payments of Base Salary or other compensation or benefits shall be payable by
HRB to Executive, except (i) as set forth in this Section 1.06, (ii) as required
by the express terms of any written benefit plans or written arrangements
maintained by HRB and applicable to Executive at the time of such termination of
Executive's employment, or (iii) as may be required by law.

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                 CONFIDENTIALITY

         2.01 - Background and Relationship of Parties. The parties acknowledge
(for all purposes including, without limitation, Articles Two and Three of this
Agreement) that Block and its subsidiaries have been and will be engaged in a
continuous program of acquisition and development respecting their businesses,
present and future, and that, in connection with Executive's employment by HRB,
Executive will be expected to have access to all information of value to HRB and
Block and that Executive's employment creates a relationship of confidence and
trust between Executive and Block with respect to any information applicable to
the businesses of Block and its subsidiaries. Executive will possess or have
unfettered access to information that has been created, developed or acquired by
Block and its subsidiaries or otherwise become known to Block and its
subsidiaries and which has commercial value in the businesses in which Block and
its subsidiaries have been and will be engaged and has not been publicly
disclosed by Block. All information described above is hereinafter called
"Proprietary Information". By way of illustration, but not limitation,
Proprietary Information includes trade secrets, developments, systems, designs,
know-how, marketing plans, product information, business and financial
information and plans, strategies, forecasts, new products and services,
financial statements, budgets, projections, 


                                       7
   8

prices and acquisition plans. Proprietary Information shall not include any 
portions of such information which are now or hereafter made public by third 
parties in a lawful manner or made public by parties hereto without violation 
of this Agreement.

         2.02 - Proprietary Information is Property of Block. (a) All
Proprietary Information shall be the sole property of Block (or the applicable
subsidiary of Block) and its assigns, and Block (or the applicable subsidiary of
Block) shall be the sole owner of all patents, copyrights, trademarks, names and
other rights in connection therewith and without regard to whether Block (or any
subsidiary of Block) is at any particular time developing or marketing the same.
Executive assigns to Block any rights Executive may have or may acquire in such
Proprietary Information. At all times, Executive will keep in strictest
confidence and trust all Proprietary Information and Executive will not use or
disclose any Proprietary Information without the written consent of Block,
except as may be necessary in the ordinary course of performing duties as an
employee of HRB or an officer of Block or as may be required by law or the order
of any court or governmental authority.

         (b) In the event of the termination of Executive's employment by HRB
for any reason (including no reason), Executive shall promptly deliver to HRB
all copies of all documents, notes, drawings, specifications, documentation,
data and other materials of any nature belonging to Block or any subsidiary of
Block and obtained during the course of Executive's employment with HRB. In
addition, upon such termination, Executive will not remove from the premises of
Block or any subsidiary of Block any of the foregoing or any reproduction of any
of the foregoing or any Proprietary Information that is embodied in a tangible
medium of expression.

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                    NON-HIRING; NO CONFLICTS; NONCOMPETITION

         3.01 - General. The parties hereto acknowledge that, during the course
of Executive's employment by HRB, the Executive shall have access to information
valuable to HRB and Block concerning the key employees of Block and its
subsidiaries ("Block Employees") and, in addition to Executive's access to such
information, Executive may, during (and in the course of) Executive's employment
by HRB, develop relationships with such Block Employees whereby information
valuable to Block and its subsidiaries concerning the Block Employees was
acquired by Executive. Such information includes, without limitation: the
identity, skills and performance levels of the Block Employees, as well as
compensation and benefits paid by Block to such Block Employees.

                                       8
   9


         3.02 - Non-Hiring. During the period of Executive's employment
hereunder and during the time Executive is receiving payments hereunder and for
a period of one year after the later of: termination by HRB or Executive for any
reason (or no reason) of such employment; or cessation of such payments, the
Executive will not knowingly recruit, solicit or hire any Block Employee or
otherwise induce any such Block Employee to leave the employment of Block (or
the applicable employer-subsidiary of Block) to become an employee of or
otherwise be associated with any other party or with Executive or any company or
business with which Executive is or may become associated.

         3.03 - No Conflicts. Executive represents that the performance by
Executive of all the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement as to
which Executive is or was a party and which requires Executive to keep any
information in confidence or in trust. Executive has not brought with him to HRB
or Block nor will Executive use in the performance of employment
responsibilities at HRB any proprietary materials or documents of a former
employer that are not generally available to the public, unless Executive has
obtained express written authorization from such former employer for their
possession and use. Executive has not and will not breach any obligation of
confidentiality that Executive may have to former employers and Executive shall
fulfill all such obligations during his employment with HRB.

         The parties acknowledge that they are parties to a Settlement Agreement
among Executive, HRB and American Express Company relating to Executive's
employment with HRB and Executive and HRB agree that they will use their best
efforts to comply with the terms of such Settlement Agreement and avoid any
action or omission that would cause the other party to breach such Settlement
Agreement.

         3.04 - Non-Competition.

         (a) During any period of Executive's employment with HRB, Executive
shall not engage in, or own or control any interest in (except as a passive
investor in publicly-held companies, holding less than one percent of its
outstanding securities), or act as an officer, director or employee of, or
consultant, advisor or lender to, any firm, corporation, institution or business
which engages in any line of business which is competitive with any line of
business of Block or any of its subsidiaries (or which Block or any subsidiary
is engaged in evaluating or developing).

         (b) During the two-year period immediately following the termination of
Executive's employment hereunder by HRB or Executive (for any reason including
no reason), Executive will not (except as permitted by subsection (c) or (d),
below) own or 


                                       9
   10


control any interest in (except as a passive investor in publicly-held 
companies, holding less than one percent of its outstanding equity securities) 
or act as an officer, director or employee of, or consultant, advisor or lender 
to, any firm, corporation, institution or business which engages in any line of 
business which is competitive with any line of business of Block or any of its 
subsidiaries at the time Executive's employment terminates.

         (c) For purposes of subsection 3.04(b), above, and subsection 3.04(d),
below, as to Block, the term "line of business" shall not include any line of
business the revenues of which constituted less than 20% of the consolidated
revenues of Block for the fiscal year of Block completed on, or most recently
completed prior to, the effective date of the termination of Executive's
employment hereunder; and, as to any corporation, firm, institution or business
with which Executive proposes to become associated, as set forth in said
subsection 3.04(b) or said subsection 3.04(d), any line of business which is
immaterial in size within the industry it operates or to such corporation, firm,
institution or business.

         (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 3.04(b), above, during
the two-year period immediately following termination of Executive's employment
hereunder by HRB without "cause" or by Executive for "good reason," Executive
may own or control an interest in (including as a passive investor in a
publicly-held company, holding one percent or more of its outstanding equity
securities), or act as an officer, director or employee of, or consultant,
advisor or lender to, any firm, corporation, institution or business which
engages in any line of business which is competitive with any line of business
of Block or any of its subsidiaries at the time Executive's employment
terminates, only if HRB gives to Executive its prior written consent to such
ownership, control or act. As of the effective date of any such ownership,
control or act, HRB shall have no further obligation to continue to pay Base
Salary pursuant to subsection 1.06(a)(i) of this Agreement and no further
obligation to continue Executive's health, life and disability insurance
benefits pursuant to subsection 1.06(a)(iv) of this Agreement.

         3.05 - Reasonableness of Restrictions. Executive acknowledges that the
restrictions contained in this Agreement are reasonable, but should any
provisions of any Article of this Agreement be determined to be invalid, illegal
or otherwise unenforceable or unreasonable in scope by any court of competent
jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions
of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and the provision found invalid,
illegal or otherwise unenforceable or unreasonable shall be considered by HRB
and Executive to be amended as to scope of protection, time or geographic area
(or any one of them, as the case may be) in 


                                       10
   11

whatever manner is considered reasonable by that court and, as so amended, 
shall be enforced.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         4.01 - Third-Party Beneficiary. The parties hereto agree that Block is
a third-party beneficiary as to the obligations imposed upon Executive under
this Agreement and as to the rights and privileges to which HRB is entitled
pursuant to this Agreement, and that Block is entitled to all of the rights and
privileges associated with such third-party-beneficiary status.

         4.02 - Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding between HRB and Executive concerning the subject
matter hereof. No modification, amendment, termination or waiver of this
Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and signed by Executive and a duly
authorized officer of HRB. Failure of HRB, Block or Executive to insist upon
strict compliance with any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof shall
not be deemed a waiver of such terms, covenants and conditions.

         4.03 - Specific Performance by Executive. Executive acknowledges that
money damages alone will not adequately compensate HRB or Block for breach of
any of Executive's covenants and agreements herein and, therefore, in the event
of the breach or threatened breach of any such covenant or agreement by
Executive, in addition to all other remedies available to HRB and Block at law,
in equity or otherwise, HRB and Block shall each be entitled to injunctive
relief compelling specific performance of (or other compliance with) the terms
hereof.

         4.04 - Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
Executive and the heirs, executors, assigns and administrators of Executive or
his estate and property and shall inure to the benefit of HRB, Block and their
successors and assigns. Executive may not assign or transfer to others the right
to receive payments hereunder nor the obligation to perform duties hereunder.

         4.05 - Withholding Taxes. From any payments due hereunder to Executive
from HRB, there shall be withheld amounts reasonably believed by HRB to be
sufficient to satisfy liabilities for federal, state and local taxes and other
charges and customary withholdings. Executive remains primarily liable to such
authorities for such taxes and charges to the extent not actually paid by HRB.
This Section 4.05 shall not affect HRB's obligation to "gross up" any relocation
benefits paid to Executive pursuant 

                                       11

   12

to subsection 1.03(e)(iv).

         4.06 - Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law and
Block's Bylaws, HRB hereby indemnifies during and after the period of
Executive's employment hereunder the Executive from and against all loss, costs,
damages and expenses including, without limitation, legal expenses of counsel
selected by HRB to represent the interests of Executive (which expenses HRB
will, to the extent so permitted, advance to executive as the same are incurred)
arising out of or in connection with the fact that Executive is or was a
director, officer, employee or agent of HRB or Block or serving in such capacity
for another corporation at the request of HRB or Block. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the indemnification provided in this Section 4.06 shall not apply to
any loss, costs, damages and expenses arising out of or relating in any way to
any employment of Executive by any former employer or the termination of any
such employment.

         4.07 - Notices. Notices hereunder shall be deemed delivered five days
following deposit thereof in the United States mails (postage prepaid) addressed
to Executive at: 2100 Stratford Road, Mission Hills, Kansas 66208 and to HRB at:
4400 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111; Attn: Frank L. Salizzoni; or to
such other address and/or person designated by either party in writing to the
other party.

         4.08 - Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts and
delivered by facsimile transmission confirmed promptly thereafter by actual
delivery of executed counterparts.

         Executed as a sealed instrument under, and to be governed by, construed
and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Missouri.

                                    EXECUTIVE:

Dated:    16 July 1998               /s/ Mark A. Ernst           
        -----------------------     -----------------------------
                                        Mark A. Ernst
Accepted and Agreed:

HRB MANAGEMENT, INC.,
a Missouri corporation



By:  /s/Frank L. Salizzoni      
    -------------------------------
    Frank L. Salizzoni
    President

Dated:     7/16/98             
         ---------------------------

                                       12
 

5 THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FIANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 1,000 3-MOS APR-30-1999 JUL-31-1999 696,210 139,657 859,567 45,870 0 1,772,927 72,901 0 2,527,346 1,102,570 0 0 0 1,089 1,135,634 2,527,346 0 78,887 0 137,518 0 0 0 (44,741) (17,002) (27,739) 0 0 0 (27,739) (.26) (.26) PP&E BALANCE IS NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.