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<B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September
21, 2009.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U>&nbsp;<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt; margin-top: 3pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">The Advisory Board Company</FONT></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>52-1468699</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction of
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>2445 M Street, NW<BR>
Washington, DC 20037</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>The Advisory Board Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plans)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Copies to:</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Michael T. Kirshbaum<BR>
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer<BR>
The Advisory Board Company<BR>
2445 M Street, NW<BR>
Washington, DC 20037</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">(Name and Address of Agent for Service)<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>(202)&nbsp;266-5600</B><BR>
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)<BR>
<DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large
accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
</DIV>
<TABLE width="100%" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><TR valign="top"><TD>Large accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD><TD align="center">Accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;</TD><TD align="center">Non-accelerated filer&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT><BR>(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</TD><TD align="right">Smaller reporting company&nbsp;<FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered(1)(2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Per Share(3)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price(3)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000" nowrap>2,223,794 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">N/A</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>

<TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">60,509,434.74</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">3,376.43</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>




<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>
 <tr>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>In accordance with the terms of The Advisory Board Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the
&#147;2009 Plan&#148;), the 1,055,000 shares of Common Stock that are issuable under the 2009 Plan are
subject to increase by (a)&nbsp;the 70,270 shares (the &#147;Remaining Shares&#148;) that were authorized for
issuance under The Advisory Board Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the &#147;2006 Plan&#148;) that, as
of June&nbsp;26, 2009, remain available for issuance under the 2006 Plan (not including any shares
that are subject to, as of June&nbsp;26, 2009, outstanding awards under the 2006 Plan or any shares
that prior to June&nbsp;26, 2009 were issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2006 Plan) and
(b)&nbsp;any shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2006 Plan as of June&nbsp;26, 2009 that on
or after such date cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of
exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested
and nonforfeitable shares). Accordingly, this registration statement includes up to (i)
1,055,000 shares of Common Stock that are originally issuable under the 2009 Plan, (ii)&nbsp;70,270
additional shares of Common Stock representing the Remaining Shares, and (iii)&nbsp;1,098,524
additional shares of Common Stock that represent the maximum aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock covered by equity awards under the 2006 Plan outstanding as of June&nbsp;26, 2009 that
on or after such date may cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by
reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled
in vested and nonforfeitable shares).</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement also registers such additional shares of Common Stock that become available under
the 2009 Plan in connection with changes in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock
because of events such as reorganizations, recapitalizations, stock dividends, stock splits
and reverse stock splits, and any other securities with respect to which the outstanding
Shares are converted or exchanged.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The registration fee
has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, based upon the average of the high and low prices for the Common Stock on September
15, 2009, which was $27.21.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">








<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information required in Part&nbsp;I of this Registration Statement is included in the
prospectus for the 2009 Plan, which is not filed as part of this Registration Statement pursuant to
the Note to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>

</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
&#147;Commission&#148;) hereby are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s most recent Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), or latest
prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), that contains audited financial statements for the Registrant&#146;s
latest fiscal year for which such statements have been filed.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Registrant&#146;s latest annual report or
prospectus referred to in (1)&nbsp;above.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Common Stock set forth in the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form 8-A (File No.&nbsp;000-33283), filed with the Commission on October&nbsp;30,
2001, under which the Registrant registered the Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act, together with any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the
purpose of updating such description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All reports and other documents that the Registrant subsequently files with the Commission
pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment indicating that the Registrant has sold all of the securities offered
under this Registration Statement or that deregisters the distribution of all such securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement
from the date that the Registrant files such report or document. Any statement contained in this
Registration Statement or any report or document incorporated into this Registration Statement by
reference, however, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained in a subsequently dated report or document that
is also considered part of this Registration Statement, or in any amendment to this Registration
Statement, is inconsistent with such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement. Subject to the foregoing, all information appearing in this Registration Statement is
so qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents incorporated herein by
reference. The Registrant&#146;s file number with the Commission is 000-33283.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

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<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Evan R. Farber, Esq., the Registrant&#146;s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, has opined as
to the legality of the securities being offered by this registration statement. Mr.&nbsp;Farber is the
holder of options to purchase 17,500 shares of the Registrant&#146;s common stock.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware corporation
may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding
if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware corporation
may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set
forth above, against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted under
similar standards, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and
only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person
is fairly and reasonably entitled to be indemnified for such expenses which the court shall deem
proper.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law further provides that to the extent a
former or current director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful in the
defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;or in the defense
of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith; that
indemnification provided for by Section&nbsp;145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
which the indemnified party may be entitled; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any
liability asserted against him or her or incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his
or her status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her
against such liabilities under Section&nbsp;145.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation limits, to the maximum extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law, the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for
breach of their fiduciary duties as directors. The Registrant&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation
provides that the Registrant will indemnify its officers, directors and employees and other agents
to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Registrant&#146;s Bylaws provide that the Registrant will
indemnify its officers, directors and employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by
law, except that the Registrant is required to indemnify a director or officer in connection with
an
</DIV>

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">action commenced by such director or officer only if the commencement of such action was
authorized by the Registrant&#146;s Board of Directors. In addition, the Registrant has entered into
individual indemnification agreements with its directors and certain officers and employees. The
Registrant may, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or agent against any liability
which may be asserted against such person.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See Exhibit&nbsp;Index.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20&nbsp;percent change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective
registration statement; and
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in this Registration Statement.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%"><I>provided, however</I>, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;above
do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those clauses is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona
fide </I>offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C.&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>&#091;SIGNATURES ON THE NEXT PAGE&#093;</B>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->6<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, on
this 21st day of September,
2009.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">&nbsp;/s/ Robert W. Musslewhite
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Robert W. Musslewhite&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">Chief Executive Officer and Director&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated. Each of the directors
and/or officers of the Registrant whose signature appears below hereby appoints Robert W.
Musslewhite, Michael T. Kirshbaum and Evan R. Farber, and each of them severally as his or her
attorney-in-fact to sign his or her name and, on his or her behalf, in any and all capacities
stated below, file with the Commission any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments
to this Registration Statement as appropriate, and generally to do all such things on his or her
behalf, in any and all capacities stated below, to enable the Registrant to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act and all requirements of the Commission.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;/s/
Robert W. Musslewhite
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September 18, 2009</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert W. Musslewhite
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;(Principal
Executive Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;/s/
Michael T. Kirshbaum
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September 18, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
Michael T. Kirshbaum
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;(Principal
Financial Officer and</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Principal Accounting Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;/s/
Frank J. Williams
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Executive Chairman
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September 16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
Frank J. Williams
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September &#95;&#95;&#95;, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
Peter J. Grua
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September &#95;&#95;&#95;, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
Kelt Kindick
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;/s/
Mark R. Neaman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September 15, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
Mark R. Neaman
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->7<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="25%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;/s/
Leon D. Shapiro
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September 16, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
Leon D. Shapiro
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;/s/
LeAnne M. Zumwalt
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">September 15, 2009</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
LeAnne M. Zumwalt
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->8<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">EXHIBIT INDEX
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="98%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1 (Registration No.
333-68146), as filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;22, 2001.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of
the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1/A
(Registration No.&nbsp;333-68146), as filed with the Commission on
October&nbsp;29, 2001.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended &#038; Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 of the Registrant&#146;s current
report on Form&nbsp;8-K (Registration No.&nbsp;000-33283), as filed with
the Commission on November&nbsp;14, 2007.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Evan R. Farber, Esq., counsel to the Registrant.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">The Advisory Board Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 of the
current report on Form&nbsp;8-K (Registration No.&nbsp;000-33283), as
filed with the Commission on September&nbsp;16, 2009.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Evan R. Farber, Esq. (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

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    <TD>Incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "w75712sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 49039}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ADVISORY BOARD CO", "cik": "0001157377", "assigned-sic": "8741", "irs-number": "521468699", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0308"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-162032", "film-number": "091079100"}, "business-address": {"street1": "2445 M STREET, NW", "city": "WASHINGTON", "state": "DC", "zip": "20037", "phone": "202-266-5600"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "2445 M STREET, NW", "city": "WASHINGTON", "state": "DC", "zip": "20037"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September
21, 2009.
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
The Advisory Board Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
52-1468699
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification Number)
2445 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
The Advisory Board Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full Title of the Plans)
Copies to:
Michael T. Kirshbaum
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
The Advisory Board Company
2445 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(202) 266-5600
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities
Amount to be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Amount of
to be Registered
Registered(1)(2)
Per Share(3)
Offering Price(3)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share
2,223,794 shares
N/A
$
60,509,434.74
$
3,376.43
(1)
In accordance with the terms of The Advisory Board Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"2009 Plan"), the 1,055,000 shares of Common Stock that are issuable under the 2009 Plan are
subject to increase by (a) the 70,270 shares (the "Remaining Shares") that were authorized for
issuance under The Advisory Board Company 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan") that, as
of June 26, 2009, remain available for issuance under the 2006 Plan (not including any shares
that are subject to, as of June 26, 2009, outstanding awards under the 2006 Plan or any shares
that prior to June 26, 2009 were issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2006 Plan) and
(b) any shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2006 Plan as of June 26, 2009 that on
or after such date cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by reason of
exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled in vested
and nonforfeitable shares). Accordingly, this registration statement includes up to (i)
1,055,000 shares of Common Stock that are originally issuable under the 2009 Plan, (ii) 70,270
additional shares of Common Stock representing the Remaining Shares, and (iii) 1,098,524
additional shares of Common Stock that represent the maximum aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock covered by equity awards under the 2006 Plan outstanding as of June 26, 2009 that
on or after such date may cease for any reason to be subject to such awards (other than by
reason of exercise or settlement of the awards to the extent they are exercised for or settled
in vested and nonforfeitable shares).
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement also registers such additional shares of Common Stock that become available under
the 2009 Plan in connection with changes in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock
because of events such as reorganizations, recapitalizations, stock dividends, stock splits
and reverse stock splits, and any other securities with respect to which the outstanding
Shares are converted or exchanged.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The registration fee
has been calculated in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, based upon the average of the high and low prices for the Common Stock on September
15, 2009, which was $27.21.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information required in Part I of this Registration Statement is included in the
prospectus for the 2009 Plan, which is not filed as part of this Registration Statement pursuant to
the Note to Part I of Form S-8.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") hereby are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
(1)
The Registrant's most recent Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or latest
prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), that contains audited financial statements for the Registrant's
latest fiscal year for which such statements have been filed.
(2)
All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Registrant's latest annual report or
prospectus referred to in (1) above.
(3)
The description of the Common Stock set forth in the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-33283), filed with the Commission on October 30,
2001, under which the Registrant registered the Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the
Exchange Act, together with any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the
purpose of updating such description.
All reports and other documents that the Registrant subsequently files with the Commission
pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment indicating that the Registrant has sold all of the securities offered
under this Registration Statement or that deregisters the distribution of all such securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement
from the date that the Registrant files such report or document. Any statement contained in this
Registration Statement or any report or document incorporated into this Registration Statement by
reference, however, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement to the extent that a statement contained in a subsequently dated report or document that
is also considered part of this Registration Statement, or in any amendment to this Registration
Statement, is inconsistent with such prior statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement. Subject to the foregoing, all information appearing in this Registration Statement is
so qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents incorporated herein by
reference. The Registrant's file number with the Commission is 000-33283.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Evan R. Farber, Esq., the Registrant's General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, has opined as
to the legality of the securities being offered by this registration statement. Mr. Farber is the
holder of options to purchase 17,500 shares of the Registrant's common stock.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware corporation
may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding
if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Section 145(b) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a Delaware corporation
may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set
forth above, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he or she acted under
similar standards, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and
only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person
is fairly and reasonably entitled to be indemnified for such expenses which the court shall deem
proper.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law further provides that to the extent a
former or current director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation has been successful in the
defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) or in the defense
of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith; that
indemnification provided for by Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
which the indemnified party may be entitled; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any
liability asserted against him or her or incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his
or her status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her
against such liabilities under Section 145.
The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation limits, to the maximum extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law, the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for
breach of their fiduciary duties as directors. The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation
provides that the Registrant will indemnify its officers, directors and employees and other agents
to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Registrant's Bylaws provide that the Registrant will
indemnify its officers, directors and employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by
law, except that the Registrant is required to indemnify a director or officer in connection with
an
4
action commenced by such director or officer only if the commencement of such action was
authorized by the Registrant's Board of Directors. In addition, the Registrant has entered into
individual indemnification agreements with its directors and certain officers and employees. The
Registrant may, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or agent against any liability
which may be asserted against such person.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
See Exhibit Index.
Item 9. Undertakings.
A The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in this Registration Statement.
provided, however
, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above
do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those clauses is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
5
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering thereof.
C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
[SIGNATURES ON THE NEXT PAGE]
6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, on
this 21st day of September,
2009.
THE ADVISORY BOARD COMPANY
By:
/s/ Robert W. Musslewhite
Name:
Robert W. Musslewhite
Title:
Chief Executive Officer and Director
SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated. Each of the directors
and/or officers of the Registrant whose signature appears below hereby appoints Robert W.
Musslewhite, Michael T. Kirshbaum and Evan R. Farber, and each of them severally as his or her
attorney-in-fact to sign his or her name and, on his or her behalf, in any and all capacities
stated below, file with the Commission any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments
to this Registration Statement as appropriate, and generally to do all such things on his or her
behalf, in any and all capacities stated below, to enable the Registrant to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act and all requirements of the Commission.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
Robert W. Musslewhite
Chief Executive Officer and Director
September 18, 2009
Robert W. Musslewhite
(Principal
Executive Officer)
/s/
Michael T. Kirshbaum
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
September 18, 2009
Michael T. Kirshbaum
(Principal
Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/
Frank J. Williams
Executive Chairman
September 16, 2009
Frank J. Williams
Director
September ___, 2009
Peter J. Grua
Director
September ___, 2009
Kelt Kindick
/s/
Mark R. Neaman
Director
September 15, 2009
Mark R. Neaman
7
Signature
Title
Date
/s/
Leon D. Shapiro
Director
September 16, 2009
Leon D. Shapiro
/s/
LeAnne M. Zumwalt
Director
September 15, 2009
LeAnne M. Zumwalt
8
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1*
Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
333-68146), as filed with the Commission on August 22, 2001.
4.2*
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of
the Registrant, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
3.1 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A
(Registration No. 333-68146), as filed with the Commission on
October 29, 2001.
4.2*
Amended & Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's current
report on Form 8-K (Registration No. 000-33283), as filed with
the Commission on November 14, 2007.
5.1
Opinion of Evan R. Farber, Esq., counsel to the Registrant.
10.1*
The Advisory Board Company 2009 Stock Incentive Plan,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
current report on Form 8-K (Registration No. 000-33283), as
filed with the Commission on September 16, 2009.
23.1
Consent of Evan R. Farber, Esq. (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
24
Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).
*
Incorporated herein by reference.
9