UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 11-K

 

(Mark One)

 

  x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

 

OR

 

  ¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                    to

 

Commission file number 000-52423

 

  A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

 

AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

 

  B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address to its principal executive office:

 

AECOM

13355 Noel Road
Dallas, Texas 75240

 

 

 

 

 

 

AECOM Retirement & Savings Plan

 

Financial Statements as of

December 31, 2021 and 2020

and for the Year Ended December 31, 2021,

Supplemental Schedules as of December 31, 2021 and

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

 

AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM   1
     
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:    
     
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2021 and 2020   2
     
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Year Ended December 31, 2021   3
     
Notes to Financial Statements   4
     
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULES:    
     
Schedule H, Line 4a, Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contributions as of December 31, 2021   15
Schedule H, Line 4i, Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2021   16
     
EXHIBIT INDEX   17
     
SIGNATURE   18

 

 

 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Americas Benefits Administration Committee

AECOM Retirement & Savings Plan

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of AECOM Retirement & Savings Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Plan’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Plan in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Report on Supplemental Information

 

The supplemental information in the accompanying Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contributions and Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2021, has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan’s financial statements. The supplemental information is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but includes supplemental information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental information is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental information. In forming our opinion on the supplemental information in the accompanying schedules, we evaluated whether the supplemental information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, the supplemental information in the accompanying schedules is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

 

We have served as the Plan’s auditor since 2015.

 

/s/ Vasquez & Company, LLP

 

Glendale, California

June 17, 2022

 

1 

 

 

AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

 

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020

 

   2021   2020 
         
   (expressed in thousands) 
ASSETS:          
Investments—at fair value (Notes B and C)   $2,059,206   $1,696,747 
Plan investments in AECOM DC Retirement Plans (Note B):          
Vanguard Master Trust (Note D)    3,347,640    3,115,109 
SMA Master Trust (Note E)    817,604    756,872 
Stable Value Master Trust (Note F)    423,737    448,696 
Total investments    6,648,187    6,017,424 
           
Receivables          
Notes receivable from participants (Notes A and B)    25,344    30,246 
Participant contributions        41 
Employer contributions    43,721    49,613 
Other    962    1,107 
Total receivables    70,027    81,007 
           
Total assets    6,718,214    6,098,431 
           
LIABILITIES:          
Accrued expenses    90    221 
Payable to participants    123    473 
Total liabilities    213    694 
           
Net Assets Available for Benefits   $6,718,001   $6,097,737 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

2 

 

 

AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021

 

   2021 
   (expressed in thousands) 
ADDITIONS TO NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO:     
INVESTMENT INCOME:     
Net appreciation in fair value of investments   $316,047 
Interest and dividends    133,768 
Plan interest in the investment income of the AECOM DC Retirement Plans:     
Vanguard Master Trust (Note D)    484,137 
SMA Master Trust (Note E)    93,898 
Stable Value Master Trust (Note F)    5,893 
      
Net investment income    1,033,743 
      
INTEREST INCOME ON NOTES RECEIVABLE FROM PARTICIPANTS    1,295 
      
CONTRIBUTIONS:     
Participants    174,034 
Employer    43,770 
Total contributions    217,804 
      
Total additions    1,252,842 
      
DEDUCTIONS FROM NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO:     
Benefits paid to participants (Note A and Note G)    (631,874)
Administrative expenses    (704)
      
Total deductions    (632,578)
      
NET INCREASE    620,264 
      
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:     
Beginning of year    6,097,737 
      
End of year   $6,718,001 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

3 

 

 

AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A. DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

 

The following brief description of the AECOM Retirement & Savings Plan (the “Plan”) is provided for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan document and the Summary Plan Description for more complete information.

 

General — The Plan is a defined contribution plan that was established to provide benefits to eligible employees of AECOM (“AECOM” or the “Company”) and various subsidiaries meeting certain employment requirements. The Plan is administered by the Americas Benefits Administration Committee as authorized by AECOM. The Plan is subject to the applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended.

 

The Plan is intended to qualify as a defined contribution plan (and an eligible individual account plan, as defined in Section 407(d)(3) of ERISA) which is qualified and exempt from taxation under Section 401(a) and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and is intended to qualify as a profit sharing plan which may invest in shares of stock of the Company which meet the requirements for “qualifying employer securities” under Section 407(d)(5) of ERISA. Assets of the Plan are held by Bank of America, N.A., the trustee and record keeper (the “Trustee”), except for certain investments. Assets in the separately managed accounts are held by Northern Trust Corporation; the Vanguard investment funds are held by The Vanguard Group; and the stable value fund is held at Fidelity Management Trust Company on behalf of the Trustee.

 

Each participant is entitled to exercise voting rights attributable to the Company shares allocated to his or her account and is notified by the Trustee prior to the time that such rights are to be exercised. The Trustee votes for shares for which instructions have not been given by a participant in accordance with the Trust agreement.

 

Eligibility — Employees become eligible to participate in the Plan on their date of hire, or as soon as administratively feasible thereafter (“eligible employees,” as defined in the Plan document). If the employee decides not to participate when they are first eligible, they may begin participating anytime, provided they are an eligible employee of the Company on that date.

 

Participant Contributions — Participants may voluntarily make pre-tax, Roth 401(k) and/or after-tax contributions in any combination. Contributions can be made in whole percentage increments up to 75 percent of eligible compensation, as defined in the Plan document, limited to $19,500 for calendar year 2021. Participants who are 50 years of age and over may voluntarily make additional contributions up to $6,500 for calendar year 2021, which are counted as part of the 75 percent limitation. Participants also may contribute amounts representing rollovers from other qualified plans. If participants are highly-compensated employees, the maximum contribution percentage may be subject to further limitation.

 

The Plan provides for an automatic enrollment feature for employees. A participant’s contribution under the automatic enrollment feature will be one percent pre-tax until either a participant elects to discontinue or change his or her election.

 

Participant Accounts — Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions and rollovers, Company contributions, and allocations of Plan investment earnings or losses. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined by the Plan document. Certain administration fees are paid from the participant’s account. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that may be provided from the participant’s vested account.

 

Employer Contributions — The participants’ pre-tax and Roth 401(k) contributions made to the Plan are matched 50% by the Company up to 6% of eligible compensation. Participants’ after-tax contributions are not eligible for the Company match. The Company’s annual match is allocated 50% to the participant’s selected investment allocations and 50% to AECOM common stock. Participants can transfer their account balance in AECOM common stock to other investment options and make withdrawals, subject to certain Plan and legal restrictions. In order to receive the annual match, participants must generally be employed on the last day of the Plan year.

 

4 

 

 

Vesting — Participants’ contributions and rollovers, and the earnings thereon, are at all times vested in such participants’ accounts. Vesting in the Company contributions and associated earnings is based on years of continuous service. A participant vests in the Company contributions and associated earnings over a three-year period (33% after one year of service and 67% after two years of service). In addition, participants become fully vested upon attaining age 65, becoming disabled or deceased while employed at the Company, or upon termination of the Plan. The portion of a participant’s account balance that is not vested upon termination of employment is forfeited at the time the participant receives a distribution or as of the end of the Plan year in which the participant incurs five consecutive one-year breaks in service, as defined in the Plan document, whichever occurs first. These unvested forfeited Company contributions and associated earnings are accumulated in the forfeiture account and are available to reduce subsequent Company contributions or pay Plan expenses.

 

On January 31, 2020, AECOM closed on the sale of one of its businesses. The Plan experienced a partial plan termination event. Under the terms of the Plan as required by the Internal Revenue Code, any employee whose employment was voluntarily or involuntarily terminated during 2020 was 100% vested in the Company contributions even if they did not meet the years of service vesting requirement.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, forfeitures of approximately $1.8 million were used to offset the Company match for 2021. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the balance in the forfeiture account was $0.2 million and $0.0 million, respectively.

 

Investment Options — Upon enrollment in the Plan, a participant is allowed to direct the investment of his or her account into a variety of diversified investment funds offered by the Plan. If a participant is automatically enrolled in the Plan and has not selected an investment to invest his or her contributions to the Plan, those contributions are invested in a target date fund, as determined by the Company. Participants may change their selection of investments at any time.

 

One of the investment options offered under the Plan consists of shares of AECOM common stock, which is an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code within the Plan. In December 2021, AECOM initiated a dividend program on its shares of common stock. As a shareholder of AECOM common stock through the AECOM common stock fund, the Plan will receive dividends. The Plan will allocate the dividends to accounts of participants, which own the AECOM common stock fund as of the dividend record date. The dividend will be deposited in the AECOM common stock fund unless the participant elects to receive it outside of the Plan. Dividends deposited into the AECOM common stock fund account are reinvested to purchase more shares of AECOM common stock, which can be held or diversified into other investment funds in the Plan. The declaration and payment of dividends are subject to the sole discretion of the Company’s board of directors.

 

Notes Receivable from Participants — Active participants may obtain loans from their vested account balances provided they meet the Plan’s eligibility requirements. The minimum loan amount permitted is $1,000; the maximum is the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of the participant’s vested account balance. In response to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES ACT”) which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, the Plan implemented temporary changes to its loan policy. The maximum loan limit was increased to the lesser of $100,000 or 100% of the eligible participant’s vested balance for a period of 180 days from March 27, 2020. The interest rates are no less than 1% over the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, in effect on the first business day of each month in which the loan application is made. Notes receivable from participants bear interest at rates that range from 4.25% to 9.00% at December 31, 2021 and 2020. The repayment period of such loans cannot exceed five years, unless the proceeds are used to buy the participant’s principal residence, in which case longer terms, up to 20 years, are allowed. These loans are secured by a promissory note from the participant and his or her vested interest in the Plan. During the period between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020, under the CARES ACT, an eligible participant could elect to delay loan payments for one year. Repayments will be adjusted to reflect interest accrued during the delay.

 

Distributions — Generally, distributions are made upon a participant’s election after a participant terminates employment, becomes disabled, dies, or turns age 59-1/2 (in the event of death, payment shall be made to his or her beneficiary or, if none, to his or her legal representatives in care of their estate). A partial or complete distribution may be made in a single lump-sum in the form of cash or in-kind distribution (in case of Company shares). Distributions may also be made in monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual installments, or in a direct rollover distribution. Distribution options for members of certain acquired companies, provided in previously merged plans, were grandfathered in as a protected benefit. Certified hardship withdrawals are permitted on vested amounts for certain substantiated financial reasons.

 

5 

 

 

B. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Accounting — The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Plan’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition — Investments held by the Plan are reported at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The cost of investments sold or distributed is determined on the basis of the average cost for each participant. Purchases and sales of securities are reflected on the trade date. Transactions pending clearing with brokers not settled at year-end are recorded as other receivables or payables on the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded as earned. Net appreciation or depreciation in fair value of investments includes the Plan’s gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year.

 

Net investment income (loss) of the AECOM DC Retirement Plans Vanguard Master Trust, the AECOM DC Retirement Plans SMA Master Trust, and the AECOM DC Retirement Plans Stable Value Master Trust (collectively, the “Master Trusts”) is allocated daily to the Plan based on the ratio of the Plan’s investment in the Master Trusts to the total value of the related investments held by each master trust as of the beginning of the day.

 

Notes Receivable from Participants — Notes receivable from participants are measured at their principal balance plus any accrued interest. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Related fees are recorded as administrative expenses and are expensed when they are incurred. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2021 or 2020. If a participant ceases to make loan repayments and the Plan administrator deems the participant loan to be in default, the participant loan balance is reduced, and a benefit payment is recorded.

 

Payment of Benefits — Benefits are recorded when paid by the Plan.

 

Administrative Expenses — The Plan incurs monthly recordkeeping and administrative expenses. Specific participant transaction expenses are deducted from participant accounts directly. Plan expenses that cannot be directly charged to a specific participant transaction may be paid, in whole or in part, from revenue sharing payments that the Plan receives from certain participating funds. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Plan incurred $0.7 million of recordkeeping and administrative expenses.

 

Fair Value Measurements — The Plan’s investments, which are stated at fair value are disclosed in accordance with the established framework and disclosure requirements described in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820-10”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under current accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820-10 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

 

Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

 

• quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

 

• quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

 

• inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;

 

• inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

6 

 

 

Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable inputs in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability and the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability including assumptions regarding risk.

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

Common Stock and Other Exchange-Traded Equity Securities Including AECOM Stock

 

The fair value of these instruments is based on the closing price per the principal stock exchange on which they are traded and are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. AECOM common stock is valued at the closing price reported on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Composite Listing and is classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Mutual Funds

 

A mutual fund is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that pools the capital of many investors and invests it in stocks, bonds, short-term money market instruments, and/or other securities. These investments are public investment vehicles valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the investments are traded. These investments are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts

 

Self-directed brokerage accounts are comprised of investments which are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the investments are traded. These investments are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Fixed Income Instruments

 

Fixed income instruments are valued based on prices received from the fund custodian. The custodian uses multiple valuation techniques to determine the valuation of fixed income instruments. In instances where there is sufficient market activity, the custodian may utilize a market-based approach through which trades or quotes from similar instruments with comparable durations, yields, and credit ratings are used to determine the valuation of these instruments. In instances where there is insufficient market activity, the custodian may utilize proprietary valuation models that maximize observable inputs. The valuation models may consider market transactions in comparable securities, the various relationships between securities, and/or market characteristics to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair values. Fixed income securities, which are valued based on significant observable inputs, are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy because quoted prices of identical instruments are not readily available in active markets.

 

Collective Investment Trusts

 

A collective investment trust is a trust for the collective investment and reinvestment of assets contributed from employee benefit plans maintained by more than one plan. These investments are valued using the net asset value (“NAV”) provided by the administrator of the collective trust. The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding. The NAV is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The collective investment trusts are not classified within the fair value hierarchy; however, the amounts measured using NAV is disclosed to permit reconciliation of the fair value of investments to the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

 

Subsequent Events — The Plan monitors significant events occurring after the balance sheet date and prior to the issuance of the financial statements to determine the impacts, if any, of events on the financial statements to be issued. The Plan has evaluated subsequent events through the date which the financial statements are issued.

 

7 

 

 

C. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Below are the Plan’s investments carried at fair value on a recurring basis by the ASC 820-10 fair value hierarchy levels described in Note B:

 

   As of December 31, 2021 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total
Fair Value
 
                 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Mutual funds   $1,245,462   $   $   $1,245,462 
AECOM common stock    414,602            414,602 
Self-directed brokerage accounts    399,142            399,142 
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy   $2,059,206   $   $   $2,059,206 
                     
   As of December 31, 2020 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total
Fair Value
 
                 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Mutual funds   $1,043,862   $   $   $1,043,862 
AECOM common stock    277,065            277,065 
Self-directed brokerage accounts    375,820            375,820 
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy   $1,696,747   $   $   $1,696,747 

 

D. INVESTMENT IN AECOM DC RETIREMENT PLANS VANGUARD MASTER TRUST

 

Certain investment assets of the Plan are held in a custody account at The Vanguard Group and consist of a 100% interest in the investment account of the AECOM DC Retirement Plans Vanguard Master Trust (“Vanguard Master Trust”), a master trust established by AECOM and is administered by the Trustee. The Trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment funds to the current sole participating plan. Investment gains or losses are recognized as earned based on the terms of the investments and the period during which the investments were held by the Vanguard Master Trust.

 

The following table presents the net assets of the Vanguard Master Trust as of December 31:

 

   Vanguard Master Trust 
   2021   2020 
         
   (expressed in thousands) 
Investments at fair value          
Collective investment trusts   $2,168,529   $1,995,903 
Mutual funds    1,179,111    1,119,206 
           
Net assets of Vanguard Master Trust   $3,347,640   $3,115,109 

 

8 

 

 

The following table shows the changes in net assets for the Vanguard Master Trust for the year ended December 31:

   2021 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Changes in net assets:     
Net appreciation in fair value of investments   $415,393 
Interest and dividend income    68,744 
Total investment income    484,137 
      
Net purchases (redemptions)    (251,555)
Administrative expenses    (51)
      
Net increase in net assets    232,531 
      
Net assets:     
Beginning of year    3,115,109 
End of year   $3,347,640 

 

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Vanguard Master Trust assets at fair value:

 

   As of December 31, 2021 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total
Fair Value
 
                 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Mutual funds   $1,179,111   $   $   $1,179,111 
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy   $1,179,111   $   $    1,179,111 
                     
Investments measured at NAV                   2,168,529 
Total investments at fair value                  $3,347,640 
     
   As of December 31, 2020 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total
Fair Value
 
                 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Mutual funds   $1,119,206   $   $   $1,119,206 
Total investments in the fair value hierarchy   $1,119,206   $   $    1,119,206 
                     
Investments measured at NAV                   1,995,903 
Total investments at fair value                  $3,115,109 

 

Net Asset Value per Share — The following tables summarize investments measured at NAV per share as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively:

 

       Redemption       
   (in thousands)   Frequency  Other    
December 31, 2021 

Fair Value

   Unfunded
Commitment
   (if Currently
Eligible)
  Redemption
Restrictions
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Retirement date funds   $1,554,818   $   Daily  None   None 
S&P 500 index fund    613,711       Daily  None   None 

 

       Redemption       
   (in thousands)   Frequency  Other    
December 31, 2020 

Fair Value

   Unfunded
Commitment
   (if Currently
Eligible)
  Redemption
Restrictions
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Retirement date funds   $1,480,333   $   Daily  None   None 
S&P 500 index fund    515,570       Daily  None   None 

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E. INVESTMENT IN AECOM DC RETIREMENT PLANS SMA MASTER TRUST

 

Certain investment assets of the Plan are held in separately managed accounts (“SMA”) in a custody account at Northern Trust Corporation and consist of a 100% interest in the investment account of the AECOM DC Retirement Plans SMA Master Trust (“SMA Master Trust”), a master trust established by AECOM and is administered by the Trustee. The Trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment funds to the current sole participating plan. Investment gains or losses are recognized as earned based on the terms of the investments and the period during which the investments were held by the SMA Master Trust.

 

The following table presents the net assets of the SMA Master Trust as of December 31:

 

   SMA Master Trust 
   2021   2020 
         
   (expressed in thousands) 
Investments at fair value          
Stocks   $272,398   $228,094 
Government bonds    107,433    113,589 
Corporate bonds    57,534    52,145 
Mortgage-backed securities    93,795    93,570 
Asset-backed securities    14,103    15,558 
Mutual funds    11,510    13,312 
Collective investment trusts    274,728    252,370 
Cash and cash equivalents    34,845    25,485 
    866,346    794,123 
Accounts receivable          
Receivable for securities sold    47,761    9,662 
Accrued income    1,020    1,023 
Other    778    1,106 
    49,559    11,791 
Accounts payable          
Due to broker for securities purchased    (97,532)   (48,560)
Operating payables    (571)    
Other liabilities    (198)   (482)
    (98,301)   (49,042)
           
Net assets of SMA Master Trust   $817,604   $756,872 

 

The following table shows the changes in net assets for the SMA Master Trust for the year ended December 31:

 

   2021 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Changes in net assets:     
Net appreciation in fair value of investments and income   $93,898 
      
Net purchases (redemptions)    (33,157)
Administrative expenses    (9)
      
Net increase in net assets    60,732 
      
Net assets:     
Beginning of year    756,872 
End of year   $817,604 

 

10 

 

 

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the SMA Master Trust assets at fair value as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

   As of December 31, 2021 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total
Fair Value
 
                 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Mutual funds   $11,510   $   $   $11,510 
Fixed income instruments:                    
Asset-backed securities        14,103        14,103 
Mortgage-backed securities        93,795        93,795 
Corporate bonds        57,534        57,534 
Government bonds        107,433        107,433 
Stocks    272,398            272,398 
Cash and cash equivalents    34,845            34,845 
Total investments at fair value   $318,753   $272,865   $    591,618 
                     
Investments measured at NAV                   274,728 
Total investments at fair value                  $866,346 
                     
   As of December 31, 2020 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   Total
Fair Value
 
                 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Mutual funds   $13,312   $   $   $13,312 
Fixed income instruments:                    
Asset-backed securities        15,558        15,558 
Mortgage-backed securities        93,570        93,570 
Corporate bonds        52,145        52,145 
Government bonds        113,589        113,589 
Stocks    228,094            228,094 
Cash and cash equivalents    25,485            25,485 
Total investments at fair value   $266,891   $274,862   $    541,753 
                     
Investments measured at NAV                   252,370 
Total investments at fair value                  $794,123 

 

Net Asset Value per Share — The following table summarizes investments measured at NAV per share as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

      Redemption       
   (in thousands)  Frequency  Other    
December 31, 2021 

Fair Value

   Unfunded
Commitment
  (if Currently
Eligible)
  Redemption
Restrictions
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Arrowstreet International Equity Fund  $272,088 $   Daily  None   None 
Northern Trust All Country World ex-U.S. Index Fund   2,640     Daily  None   None 

 

      Redemption       
   (in thousands)  Frequency  Other    
December 31, 2020 

Fair Value

   Unfunded
Commitment
  (if Currently
Eligible)
  Redemption
Restrictions
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Arrowstreet International Equity Fund  $245,090 $   Daily  None   None 
Northern Trust All Country World ex-U.S. Index Fund   7,280     Daily  None   None 

 

11 

 

 

F. INVESTMENT IN AECOM DC RETIREMENT PLANS STABLE VALUE MASTER TRUST

 

Certain investment assets of the Plan are held in a custody account at Fidelity Management Trust Company and consist of a 100% interest in an investment account of the AECOM DC Retirement Plans Stable Value Master Trust (“Stable Value Master Trust”), a master trust established by AECOM and is administered by the Trustee. The Trustee maintains supporting records for the purpose of allocating the net gain or loss of the investment funds to the current sole participating plan. Investment gains or losses are recognized as earned based on the terms of the investments and the period during which the investments were held by the Stable Value Master Trust.

 

The following table presents the net assets of the Stable Value Master Trust as of December 31:

 

   Stable Value Master Trust 
   2021   2020 
         
   (expressed in thousands) 
Investments measured at NAV          
Collective investment trust   $423,737   $448,696 
           
Net assets of Stable Value Master Trust   $423,737   $448,696 

 

The following table shows the changes in net assets for the Stable Value Master Trust for the year ended December 31:

 

   2021 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Changes in net assets:     
Interest and dividend income   $5,893 
      
Net purchases (redemptions)    (30,098)
Administrative expenses    (754)
      
Net decrease in net assets    (24,959)
      
Net assets:     
Beginning of year    448,696 
End of year   $423,737 

 

Net Asset Value per Share — The following table summarizes investments measured at NAV per share as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

        Redemption       
    (in thousands)   Frequency  Other    
December 31, 2021  

Fair Value 

   Unfunded
Commitment
   (if Currently
Eligible)
  Redemption
Restrictions
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Stable value fund    $423,737   $   Daily  None   None 

 

        Redemption       
    (in thousands)   Frequency  Other    
December 31, 2020  

Fair Value

   Unfunded
Commitment
   (if Currently
Eligible)
  Redemption
Restrictions
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Stable value fund    $448,696   $   Daily  None   None 

 

G. BENEFITS PAYABLE

 

Net assets available for benefits at December 31, 2021 and 2020 include $3.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, for participants who have withdrawn from the Plan and have requested distribution of benefits but have not yet been paid.

 

H. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Certain Plan investments are shares of AECOM common stock. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Plan held approximately 5.4 million and 5.6 million shares of AECOM common stock with a fair value of approximately $414.6 million and $277.1 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During 2021, the Plan acquired approximately $61.5 million of AECOM common stock, of which $26.1 million was issued by the Company to the Plan. Additionally, the Plan sold approximately $68.2 million of AECOM common stock, and recorded a net appreciation of approximately $149.5 million, which included gains and losses on shares bought and sold, as well as held during the year.

 

12 

 

 

The Plan holds self-directed brokerage accounts and investments managed by Bank of America, N.A. and their affiliates; and these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions. The Plan holds investments managed by Northern Trust Corporation, Fidelity, and Vanguard; and these transactions qualify as party-in-interest transactions.

 

These party-in-interest transactions qualify for prohibited transaction exemptions.

 

I. PLAN TERMINATION

 

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, AECOM has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of the Plan’s termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.

 

J. TAX STATUS

 

The Plan received its latest determination letter on February 2, 2016, in which the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) indicated that the form of the Plan complies with the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan was amended since receiving the determination letter. The Plan administrator believes that the Plan continues to be qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The Plan is subject to routine audits by the IRS; however, there are currently no audits in progress for open tax periods.

 

K. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

The Plan and the Master Trusts invest in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the value of investment securities will occur in the near term, and that such change could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the financial statements. The Plan’s exposure to a concentration of risk is limited by the diversification of investments across various participant-directed investment options. Additionally, the investments within each participant-directed investment option are further diversified into varied financial instruments, with the exception of AECOM common stock, which is a single security.

 

L.RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500

 

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2021 and 2020 to Form 5500:

 

   2021   2020 
         
   (expressed in thousands) 
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements   $6,718,001   $6,097,737 
           
Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants    (3,374)   (2,356)
           
Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500   $6,714,627   $6,095,381 

 

13 

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of the net increase in net assets available for benefits per the financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2021 to Form 5500:

 

   2021 
   (expressed in thousands) 
Net increase per financial statements   $620,264 
      
Net change in amounts allocated to withdrawing participants    (1,018)
      
Net increase per Form 5500   $619,246 

 

14 

 

 

AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

 

EIN#: 61-1088522                                          PLAN#: 055

FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, LINE 4a

 

SCHEDULE OF DELINQUENT PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS

DECEMBER 31, 2021

 

Participant Contributions
Transferred Late to Plan
  Total that Constitute Nonexempt
Prohibited Transactions
     
Late Participant
Loan Repayments
are Included:
  Contributions
Not corrected
   Contributions
Corrected
Outside VFCP
   Contributions
Pending
Correction in VFCP
   Total Fully Corrected
Under VFCP and PTE
2002-51
 
Yes  $   $5,569,243   $152,074   $ 

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

 

15 

 

 

AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN

 

EIN#: 61-1088522                                          PLAN#: 055

FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i

SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)

DECEMBER 31, 2021

 

(a)  (b)
Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party
  (c)
Description of Investment, Including Maturity Date,
Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par or Maturity Value
  (d)
Cost
  (e)
Current
Value
 
*  AECOM Common Stock   5,360,073 shares  **  $414,601,621 
               
   Registered Investment Companies:           
   BlackRock Advisors BIF Money Fund   3,373,811 shares  **   3,373,811 
   Fidelity Investments Balanced Fund   7,771,405 shares  **   236,017,558 
   Fidelity Investments Growth Company Fund   17,541,730 shares  **   639,746,896 
   DFA Global Real Estate Securities Institutional   4,290,639 shares  **   57,709,092 
   Oakmark Fund Class I   2,589,706 shares  **   308,615,211 
             1,245,462,568 
               
   Assets in Bank of America, N.A. Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts   Various investments, including registered investment companies, common stocks, ETFs and money market funds  **   399,141,671 
               
*  Notes receivable from participants   Interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 9.00%; Maturities ranging from 2022 to 2041  **   25,344,461 
               
   Total investments         $2,084,550,321 

 

 

*       Party-in-interest

**     Cost information not required for participant directed investments

 

See report of independent registered public accounting firm.

 

16 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
23.1   Consent of Vasquez & Company LLP

 

17 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  AECOM RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN
     
Dated:  June 17, 2022 By: /s/ Bernie Knobbe
    Bernie Knobbe, Chairman
    Americas Benefits Administration Committee
    AECOM

 

18 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (No. 333-142070 and No. 333-208964) on Form S-8 of AECOM of our report dated June 17, 2022, relating to our audit of the financial statements and supplemental schedules of AECOM Retirement & Savings Plan, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 11-K of AECOM Retirement & Savings Plan for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

/s/ Vasquez & Company, LLP

 

Glendale, California

June 17, 2022