UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 2)

Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

þ		Preliminary Proxy Statement
o		Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o		Definitive Proxy Statement
o		Definitive Additional Materials
o		Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Tier Technologies, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

þ		No fee required.
o		Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

	(1)		Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
	(2)		Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
	(3)		Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
	(4)		Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
	(5)		Total fee paid:

o		Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o		Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

	(1)		Amount Previously Paid:
	(2)		Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
	(3)		Filing Party:
	(4)		Date Filed:

PRELIMINARY COPY

TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Keith S. Omsberg		10780 Parkridge Boulevard
Corporate Secretary		Reston, Virginia 20191
		February XX, 2009

Dear Stockholder:

You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tier Technologies, Inc. on March 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at Tier’s headquarters located at 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191.

We consider the votes of all shareholders important, no matter how many or how few shares you may own. Regardless of whether you plan to attend the annual meeting, we encourage you to submit your proxy promptly, following the instructions on the enclosed GOLD proxy card. You may submit your proxy by telephone, by Internet, or by mail.

Discovery Equity Partners (“Discovery”) has provided notice that it intends to nominate and solicit proxies for an opposition slate of two nominees for election as directors at the Meeting. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU NOT TO SIGN OR RETURN ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY DISCOVERY.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NOMINEES ON THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD.

At the annual meeting, stockholders will elect directors, vote on the ratification of the selection of Tier’s independent registered public accounting firm, and consider a shareholder proposal described in the enclosed proxy materials. We will also report on Tier’s business. Stockholders will have an opportunity to ask relevant questions.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on January 16, 2009 are entitled to notice of, to attend, and to vote at the annual meeting.

Your vote is extremely important. If you have questions or require any assistance with voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, toll-free at (888) 742-1305.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Keith S. Omsberg
Secretary

Reston, Virginia
February XX, 2009

TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400
Reston, Virginia 20191

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

TIME:		10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 11, 2009.
PLACE:		Tier Technologies, Inc. corporate headquarters, 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191.
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:		(1)    To elect nine directors;
		(2)    To ratify the selection of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009;
		(3) & (4) To act on two shareholder proposals expected to come before the meeting; and
		(5)    To transact other business properly coming before the meeting.
WHO CAN VOTE:		You can vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on January 16, 2009.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on March 11, 2009. The proxy statement and Tier’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2008, as amended on January XX, 2009, are available electronically at http://materials.proxyvote.com/88650Q.

Our Board of Directors has nominated for election as directors the seven persons named in Proposal One in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice, each of whom is currently serving as a director of the Company. We believe that these individuals have the independence, knowledge, and commitment to deliver value for Tier and its shareholders. Please note that Discovery Equity Partners (“Discovery”) has provided notice that it intends to nominate two nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting and solicit proxies for use at the annual meeting to vote in favor of its own nominees. In addition, Giant Investment, LLC, an affiliate of Parthenon Capital (collectively, “Parthenon”), has provided notice that it intends to nominate two nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting (although it does not intend to solicit proxies from any shareholder). We do not endorse the election of any of Discovery’s or Parthenon’s nominees as directors. You may receive proxy solicitation materials from Discovery or other persons or entities affiliated with them, including an opposition proxy statement and proxy card. YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU NOT TO SIGN OR RETURN ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY DISCOVERY OR ANY PERSON OTHER THAN TIER.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD’S NOMINEES ON THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD.

Even if you have previously signed a proxy card sent by another party, you have the right to change your vote by using the enclosed GOLD proxy card to submit your proxy by telephone, by Internet, or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed GOLD proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Only the latest dated proxy you submit will be counted. We urge you to disregard any proxy card sent to you by Discovery or any person other than Tier.

Keith S. Omsberg
Corporate Secretary

February XX, 2009

 i

Table of Contents

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND OUR 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS			1
GENERAL INFORMATION			1
1. WHO IS MAKING THIS SOLICITATION?			1
2. WHAT INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THESE MATERIALS?			1
3. WHEN AND WHERE IS THE ANNUAL MEETING?			2
4. WHAT PROPOSALS ARE BEING PRESENTED FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?			2
5. WHAT OTHER MATTERS MAY ARISE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?			3
6. WHO WILL BEAR THE COST OF SOLICITING VOTES FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING?			3
7. WHAT DO I NEED FOR ADMISSION TO THE ANNUAL MEETING?			3
8. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A PROXY CARD FROM DISCOVERY?			3
9. HOW CAN I FIND TIER’S PROXY MATERIALS AND ANNUAL REPORT ON THE INTERNET?			4
10. WHOM SHOULD I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROXY MATERIALS?			4
VOTING MECHANICS			4
11. WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?			4
12. WHAT IS THE RECORD DATE AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?			4
13. HOW CAN I VOTE MY SHARES OF COMMON STOCK?			5
14. HOW CAN I REVOKE A PROXY OR CHANGE MY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS?			5
15. WILL MY SHARES BE VOTED IF I DO NOT PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO MY BROKER?			5
16. WHO WILL COUNT THE VOTES?			5
VOTING INFORMATION			6
17. WHAT ARE THE VOTING CHOICES WHEN VOTING ON PROPOSAL ONE, THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS?			6
18. WHAT VOTE IS NEEDED TO ELECT THE DIRECTORS?			6
19. WHAT ARE THE VOTING CHOICES WHEN VOTING ON PROPOSAL TWO, THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM?			6
20. WHAT VOTE IS NEEDED TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM?			7
21. WHAT ARE THE VOTING CHOICES WHEN VOTING ON PROPOSALS THREE AND FOUR, THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS?			7
22. WHAT VOTE IS NEEDED TO APPROVE PROPOSALS THREE AND FOUR, THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS?			7
23. AM I PERMITTED TO VOTE FOR ONE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL AND AGAINST THE OTHER?			7
24. HOW MANY VOTES MUST BE PRESENT TO HOLD THE ANNUAL MEETING?			7
25. WHAT IF A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AT THE MEETING?			7
26. WHAT IF I RETURN MY GOLD PROXY CARD BUT DO NOT GIVE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS?			7
27. WHAT IF OTHER MATTERS ARE VOTED ON AT THE MEETING?			8
28. WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD?			8
29. WHERE CAN I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?			8
STOCK OWNERSHIP			9
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS			10
MEETING AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS			13
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS			15
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS			18
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT			18
ii

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION			19
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS			19
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION			29
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE			29
FISCAL 2008 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS			32
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2008 FISCAL YEAR-END			33
FISCAL 2008 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED			35
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION			40
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS			42
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES			42
PROPOSAL TWO: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM			43
PROPOSALS THREE AND FOUR: SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS			43
OTHER MATTERS			47
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			47
APPENDIX A			48

 iii

PRELIMINARY COPY

TIER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400
Reston, Virginia 20191

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MARCH 11, 2009

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Tier Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Tier,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), of proxies for use in voting at the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at Tier’s headquarters located at 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191, on March 11, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., local time, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. On or about February XX, 2009, we began mailing this proxy statement, the enclosed GOLD proxy card, and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, as amended on January XX, 2009, to shareholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

We have received notice from Discovery Equity Partners (“Discovery”) of its intention to nominate two nominees (collectively, the “Discovery Nominees”) for election to the Company’s Board of Directors at the annual meeting. The Discovery Nominees are not endorsed by our Board of Directors. We urge shareholders NOT to vote any proxy card that you may receive from Discovery.

The Company has also received notice from Giant Investment, LLC, an affiliate of Parthenon Capital (collectively, “Parthenon”), of its intention to nominate two nominees (collectively, the “Parthenon Nominees”) for election to the Company’s Board of Directors at the annual meeting. The Parthenon Nominees are not endorsed by our Board of Directors. Parthenon has represented that it does not intend to solicit proxies for its nominees, but in the event that Parthenon does solicit proxies, we urge shareholders NOT to vote any proxy card that you may receive from Parthenon.

Our Board of Directors urges you to vote FOR ALL of our nominees for director.

We are not responsible for the accuracy of any information contained in any proxy solicitation materials filed or disseminated by, or on behalf of, any other party or any other statements that any other party may otherwise make.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND OUR 2009 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.

WHO IS MAKING THIS SOLICITATION?

The Board of Directors, or Board, is soliciting your proxy for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tier Technologies, Inc. or at any adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting. The Board is providing these proxy solicitation materials to give you information for use in determining how to vote in connection with the annual meeting.

2.

WHAT INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THESE MATERIALS?

The information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the annual meeting, the voting process, the compensation of directors and our most highly paid executive

officers, and certain other required information. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008, as amended, which includes the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, is also enclosed.

3.

WHEN AND WHERE IS THE ANNUAL MEETING?

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Tier Technologies, Inc. will be held on March 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, at Tier’s headquarters located at 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191.

4.

WHAT PROPOSALS ARE BEING PRESENTED FOR STOCKHOLDER VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

Four proposals are scheduled for voting at the annual meeting:

PROPOSAL ONE. Election of Directors:

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ITS NOMINEES: CHARLES W. BERGER, SAMUEL CABOT III, JOHN J. DELUCCA, MORGAN P. GUENTHER, PHILIP G. HEASLEY, DAVID A. POE, AND RONALD L. ROSSETTI, FOR SERVICE IN THE ENSUING YEAR AND UNTIL SUCCESSORS ARE ELECTED.

You can find information about the Board’s nominees, as well as information about the Board, its committees, and other related matters, beginning on page 13. Information regarding director compensation can be found beginning on page 40.

PROPOSAL TWO. Ratification of Selection of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP:

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2009.

You can find information about Tier’s relationship with McGladrey & Pullen, LLP beginning on page 42.

PROPOSALS THREE AND FOUR. Shareholder Proposals:

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST TWO SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS: PROPOSAL THREE, WHICH REQUESTS THAT THE BOARD ELIMINATE OUR SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN, AND PROPOSAL FOUR, WHICH REQUESTS THAT THE BOARD REVISE OUR BYLAWS TO PERMIT THE HOLDERS OF 10% OF OUR COMMON STOCK TO CALL SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS.

		You can find information about the shareholder proposals beginning on page 43. Because the shareholder proposals present non-binding resolutions, we will not be required to take the requested actions if the proposals are approved. However, if shareholders approve one or both of the proposals, we will reevaluate our shareholder rights plan and/or the bylaw regarding special meetings in light of the vote, as appropriate.
		For each shareholder proposal to be properly presented at the annual meeting, the shareholder that submitted the proposal (or a qualified representative of that shareholder) must appear at the annual meeting to present the proposal. For these purposes, to be considered a qualified representative of a shareholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager, or partner of that shareholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by the shareholder or an electronic transmission delivered by the shareholder to act for the shareholder as proxy at the annual meeting, and such person must produce the writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the annual meeting.

We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the annual meeting.

5.

WHAT OTHER MATTERS MAY ARISE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

We do not know of any other matters that will come before the shareholders at the annual meeting. The Chairman of the annual meeting may refuse to allow presentation of a proposal or a nomination for the Board if the proposal or nomination was not properly submitted. The requirements for properly submitting proposals and nominations for this year’s annual meeting were described in our proxy statement for the 2008 annual meeting and are similar to those described on page 47 for next year’s meeting.

6.

WHO WILL BEAR THE COST OF SOLICITING VOTES FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING?

Tier is making this solicitation of proxies and will bear all related costs. We will conduct the solicitation by mail, personally, telephonically, through the Internet, or by facsimile through our officers, directors, and employees identified on Appendix A, none of whom will receive additional compensation for assisting with the solicitation. We may also solicit shareholders through press releases issued by the Company, advertisements in periodicals, and postings on the Company’s website. We have also retained Laurel Hill Advisory Group to assist in the solicitation of proxies, for a fee estimated to be approximately $8,500 plus out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify Laurel Hill against certain liabilities arising out of or in connection with the engagement. Laurel Hill has advised us that approximately 20 of its employees will be involved in the proxy solicitation by Laurel Hill on behalf of Tier.

7.

WHAT DO I NEED FOR ADMISSION TO THE ANNUAL MEETING?

You are entitled to attend the annual meeting only if you are a shareholder of record or a beneficial owner of Tier stock as of the close of business on January 16, 2009, or you hold a valid proxy for the annual meeting. If you are the shareholder of record, your name will be verified against the list of shareholders of record prior to your admittance to the annual meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admission. If you hold your shares in street name, you should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the record date, such as a brokerage account statement showing that you owned Tier common stock as of the record date, a copy of the GOLD voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank, or other nominee, or other similar evidence of ownership as of the record date, as well as your photo identification, for admission. If you do not provide photo identification or comply with the other procedures outlined above upon request, you will not be admitted to the annual meeting.

8.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A PROXY CARD FROM DISCOVERY?

Discovery has provided notice that it intends to nominate two nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting and solicit proxies for use at the annual meeting to vote in favor of its nominees. You may receive proxy solicitation materials from Discovery, including an opposition proxy statement and proxy card. OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU NOT TO SIGN OR RETURN ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY DISCOVERY. Even if you have previously signed a proxy card sent by Discovery, you have the right to change your vote by following the instructions on the GOLD proxy card to submit your proxy by telephone or by Internet or by signing, dating, and mailing the enclosed GOLD proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Only the latest dated proxy you submit will be counted. We urge you to disregard any proxy card sent to you by Discovery or any person other than Tier.

9.

HOW CAN I FIND TIER’S PROXY MATERIALS AND ANNUAL REPORT ON THE INTERNET?

Our proxy statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2008, as amended on January XX, 2009, are available electronically at http://materials.proxyvote.com/88650Q.

10.

WHOM SHOULD I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROXY MATERIALS?

If you have questions, require any assistance with voting your shares, or need additional copies of this proxy statement, please call our proxy solicitor, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, toll-free at (888) 742-1305.

VOTING MECHANICS

11.

WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING?

		Only holders of record of shares of our common stock at the close of business on January 16, 2009, or the record date, are entitled to vote at the annual meeting, or at adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting. As of the record date there were 19,734,863 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
		Except in connection with Proposal One (the election of directors), each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each matter to be voted on at the annual meeting. In connection with the election of directors, each share is entitled to nine votes, one vote for each board seat that is being elected. The holders of a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards a quorum, but will not be counted in determining whether a proposal is approved.

12.

WHAT IS THE RECORD DATE AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The record date is January 16, 2009. Holders of common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of the meeting and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

13.

HOW CAN I VOTE MY SHARES OF COMMON STOCK?

There are four ways to vote for the Board’s nominees and on the other matters as set forth in this proxy statement:

	•		Telephone: If your proxy card or voting instruction card provides instructions for proxy authorization by telephone, follow the instructions on your proxy card or voting instruction card; OR
	•		Mail: Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it to: Tier Technologies, Inc., c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717; OR
	•		In-Person: If you are a record holder or have obtained a valid proxy from the record holder, mark, sign and submit a ballot during the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on March 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time; OR
	•		Internet: Follow the instructions for Internet proxy authorization on your proxy card or voting instruction card.

If you deliver a properly executed written proxy, or submit a properly completed proxy by telephone or by Internet, that proxy will be voted at the annual meeting in accordance with the directions given in the proxy, unless you revoke the proxy before the annual meeting. The proxies also may be voted at any adjournments or postponements of the annual meeting.

If you want to specify how your votes are cumulated you must do so in writing with a proxy card or, if you are a record holder of Tier stock or have obtained a valid proxy from the record holder, in person at the annual meeting.

14.

HOW CAN I REVOKE A PROXY OR CHANGE MY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS?

You can revoke a proxy before the close of voting at the annual meeting by:

	•		Giving written notice to Tier’s Corporate Secretary located at 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191;
	•		Submitting a new proxy card bearing a date later than your last proxy card;
	•		Following the instructions for Internet proxy authorization that appear on the proxy card;
	•		Following the instructions that appear on the proxy card for proxy authorization by telephone; or
	•		If you are a record holder of Tier stock or have obtained a valid proxy from the record holder, attending the annual meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the annual meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy.

15.

WILL MY SHARES BE VOTED IF I DO NOT PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS TO MY BROKER?

		If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by a broker, the broker, as the record holder of the shares, is required to vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give instructions to the broker, the broker will be entitled to vote the shares with respect to “discretionary” proposals but will not be permitted to vote the             shares with respect to “non-discretionary” proposals (those shares are treated as “broker non-votes”). The shareholder proposals are “non-discretionary” proposals.
		If Discovery solicits proxies to elect Discovery’s nominees to the Board at the annual meeting, then the election of directors will also be a “non-discretionary” proposal for any brokerage accounts solicited by Discovery. As a result, if your shares are held in “street name” and Discovery provides you with proxy solicitation materials through your broker and you do not provide instructions as to how your shares are to be voted in the election of directors, your broker or other nominee will not be able to vote your shares in the election of directors, and your shares will not be voted for any of Tier’s nominees. We urge you to provide instructions to your broker or nominee so that your votes may be counted on this important matter. We urge you to vote your shares by following the instructions provided on the enclosed GOLD proxy card and returning the GOLD proxy card to your bank, broker, or other nominee to ensure that your shares will be voted on your behalf.

16.

WHO WILL COUNT THE VOTES?

A representative of IVS Associates, Inc., an independent voting services company, will tabulate the votes and act as Inspector of Elections.

VOTING INFORMATION

17.

WHAT ARE THE VOTING CHOICES WHEN VOTING ON PROPOSAL ONE, THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS?

Shareholders may use the enclosed GOLD proxy card to:

	•		Vote FOR (in favor of) all of the Board’s nominees;
	•		WITHHOLD votes from all nominees; or
	•		WITHHOLD votes from specific Board nominees; or
	•		Provide instructions for cumulating votes for one or more specific Board nominees.

18.

WHAT VOTE IS NEEDED TO ELECT THE DIRECTORS?

		Directors will be elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the matter, which means that the nine director nominees with the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected.
		Tier’s certificate of incorporation gives shareholders the right to cumulate their votes. This means that a shareholder has the right to give any one nominee a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of shares the shareholder would otherwise be entitled to vote, or to distribute such votes among as many nominees (up to the number of persons to be elected) as the shareholder may wish. There are no conditions precedent to cumulative voting by Tier shareholders. Pursuant to Delaware law, the proxies are agents for the shareholders; if you specify how your votes are to be cumulated among the Board’s nominees, the proxies named on the proxy card will cast your votes as you specify. Shareholders may specify how their votes are to be cumulated with respect to the Board’s nominees by giving instructions on the enclosed form of proxy as to how the votes are to be cumulated or, if the shareholder is a record holder or has obtained a valid proxy from the record holder, by voting in person at the annual meeting.
		Unless you specify how your votes are to be cumulated among the Board’s nominees, the proxy solicited by the Board authorizes the proxies named on the proxy card to cumulate votes that you are entitled to cast at the annual meeting in connection with the election of directors; provided that the proxies will not cumulate votes for any nominee from whom you have withheld authority to vote. To specify different directions with regard to cumulative voting, including to direct that the proxy holders cumulate votes with respect to a specific Board nominee or nominees, you must mark the appropriate box on the front of the proxy card and write your instructions on the reverse side.

19.

WHAT ARE THE VOTING CHOICES WHEN VOTING ON PROPOSAL TWO, THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM?

Shareholders may:

	•		Vote FOR (in favor of) the ratification;
	•		Vote AGAINST the ratification; or
	•		ABSTAIN from voting on the ratification.

20.

WHAT VOTE IS NEEDED TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM?

The selection of the independent registered public accounting firm will be ratified if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voting on the matter.

21.

WHAT ARE THE VOTING CHOICES WHEN VOTING ON PROPOSALS THREE AND FOUR, THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS?

Proposal Three requests that the Board eliminate our shareholder rights plan, and Proposal Four requests that the Board revise our bylaws to permit the holders of 10% of our common stock to call special meetings of shareholders.

Shareholders may, with respect to each proposal:

	•		Vote FOR (in favor of) the proposal;
	•		Vote AGAINST the proposal; or
	•		ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

22.

WHAT VOTE IS NEEDED TO APPROVE PROPOSALS THREE AND FOUR, THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS?

Each shareholder proposal will be approved if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voting on the matter.

23.

AM I PERMITTED TO VOTE FOR ONE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL AND AGAINST THE OTHER?

Yes. You may vote for both shareholder proposals, against both shareholder proposals, or for one shareholder proposal and against the other.

24.

HOW MANY VOTES MUST BE PRESENT TO HOLD THE ANNUAL MEETING?

A majority of the shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual meeting that are either present in person or represented by proxy will constitute a quorum for the annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are included in determining the number of votes present, but will not be counted in determining whether a proposal is approved.

25.

WHAT IF A QUORUM IS NOT PRESENT AT THE MEETING?

If a quorum is not present at the scheduled time of the annual meeting, we may adjourn the meeting, either with or without the vote of the shareholders. If we propose to have the shareholders vote whether to adjourn the meeting, the proxy holders will exercise their discretion to vote all shares for which they have authority in favor of the adjournment.

26.

WHAT IF I RETURN MY GOLD PROXY CARD BUT DO NOT GIVE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS?

If you sign your GOLD proxy card but do not give voting instructions, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board. The Board recommends a vote FOR the election of the seven director nominees named in this Proxy Statement, FOR Proposal Two, the ratification of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2009, and AGAINST the shareholder proposals under Proposal Three and Proposal Four. Unless you specify how your votes are to be cumulated among the Board’s nominees, the GOLD proxy card authorizes the proxies named on the card to cumulate votes that you are entitled to cast at the annual meeting at their discretion among the Board’s nominees in connection with the election of directors.

27.

WHAT IF OTHER MATTERS ARE VOTED ON AT THE MEETING?

If any other matters are properly presented at the Meeting for consideration, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed GOLD proxy card will have discretion to vote on those matters for you. On the date we filed this Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Board did not know of any other matter to be raised at the Meeting.

28.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD?

		If your shares are registered differently or are held in more than one account, you will receive a GOLD proxy card or GOLD voting instruction card for each account. To ensure that all of your shares are voted, please use all the GOLD proxy cards and GOLD voting instruction cards you receive to submit your proxy for your shares by telephone or by Internet or complete, sign, date, and return a GOLD proxy card or GOLD voting instruction card for each account.
		As previously noted, Discovery has provided notice that it intends to nominate two nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting and solicit proxies for use at the annual meeting to vote in favor of its nominees. As a result, you may receive proxy cards from both Discovery and the Company. To ensure shareholders have the Company’s latest proxy information and materials to vote, the Board of Directors expects to conduct multiple mailings prior to the date of the annual meeting, each of which will include a GOLD proxy card regardless of whether or not you have previously submitted your proxy. Only the latest dated proxy you submit will be counted.
		OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU NOT TO SIGN OR RETURN ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY DISCOVERY. Even if you have previously signed a proxy card sent by Discovery, you have the right to change your vote by re-submitting your proxy by telephone or by Internet or by signing, dating, and returning the enclosed GOLD proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Only the latest dated proxy you submit will be counted. We urge you to disregard any proxy card sent to you by Discovery.

29.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?

Tier will publish final results of the voting in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2009, if we have not published a current report on Form 8-K containing such information at an earlier date. You will be able to read and print a copy of the Form 10-Q or Form 8-K on our website, http://www.tier.com, by choosing Investor Relations, Financial Information, and SEC Filings. You will also be able find the report by searching the SEC EDGAR filings at http://www.sec.gov.

STOCK OWNERSHIP

Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our common stock as of January 16, 2009 by: (i) each director and director nominee; (ii) each of the named executive officers (as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table); and (iii) all executive officers and directors of Tier as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial ownership is direct and the person indicated has sole voting and investment power.

		Common stock beneficially owned
Name of beneficial owner(1)		Total number of shares				Percent of class(2)
Charles W. Berger			140,000	(3)			*
Samuel Cabot III			214,810	(4)			1.1	%
John J. Delucca			40,000	(5)			*
Morgan P. Guenther			151,000	(6)			*
Philip G. Heasley			10,002	(7)			*
David A. Poe			6,668	(8)			*
James R. Stone			38,337	(9)			*
Steven M. Beckerman			—				*
Kevin C. Connell			77,400	(10)			*
David E. Fountain			—				*
Ronald W. Johnston			—				*
Michael A. Lawler			131,704				*
Keith S. Omsberg			21,900	(11)			*
Ronald L. Rossetti			442,365	(12)			2.2	%
Deanne M. Tully			—				*
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)			1,142,482	(13)			5.5	%

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information about the securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plan as of September 30, 2008:

Number of securities

to be issued upon

Weighted-average

Number of securities

exercise of

exercise price of

remaining available for

outstanding options,

outstanding

future issuance under

warrant and rights (in

options, warrants

equity compensation

Plan category

thousands)

and rights ($)

plans (in thousands)

Equity compensation plans

Approved by security holders

2,702

$

9.07

1,038

Not approved by security holders

—

—

—

Total

2,702

$

9.07

1,038

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, initial reports of beneficial ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of our common stock. Officers, directors and holders of greater than ten percent of our common stock are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, our officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements, with the exception of Ronald L. Rossetti and Philip G. Heasley. Mr. Rossetti filed one late Form 4, which related to one transaction. Mr. Heasley filed one late Form 3 and one late Form 4, which related to one transaction.

Significant Stockholders

The following table lists certain persons known by Tier to own beneficially more than five percent of Tier’s outstanding shares of common stock as of January 16, 2009.

		Amount and nature of
Name of beneficial owner		beneficial ownership				Percent of class
Wells Fargo & Company (1)			2,689,293				13.6	%
Discovery Group I, LLC (2)			1,957,563				9.9	%
Heartland Advisors, Inc. (3)			1,891,430				9.6	%
Giant Investment, LLC (4)			1,799,322				9.1	%
Dimensional Fund Advisors (5)			1,764,020				8.9	%

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

Corporate Governance Documents

In November 2003, the Board adopted a Code of Ethics for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and persons performing similar functions. Effective May 3, 2004, we also adopted a Business Code of Conduct for all employees. Our Code of Ethics and our Business Code of Conduct are posted on our website at: http://www.tier.com.

Director Independence

Under NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our Board, the person does not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our Board determined that each of its current directors other than Mr. Rossetti — that is, each of Charles W. Berger, Samuel Cabot III, John J. Delucca, Morgan P. Guenther, Philip G. Heasley, David A. Poe, and James R. Stone - does not have a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Marketplace Rules. T. Michael Scott and Bruce Spector served on our Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 but did not stand for re-election at our 2008 annual meeting. Our board previously determined that each of Messrs. Scott and Spector did not have a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors was an “independent director” as defined under Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Marketplace Rules.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Board determined that at least one member of the Audit Committee, Charles W. Berger, is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K, promulgated by the SEC.

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

At each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board, time is set aside for the non-management directors to meet in an executive session without management present.

Communication with Directors

Stockholders may communicate directly with the Board members by writing to: Tier Technologies, Inc., Board of Directors, c/o Corporate Secretary, 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191. Each communication should specify the individual or group to be contacted. We will receive and review the communications before distributing them to the specified individual or group. Generally, we will not forward stockholder communications to directors that relate to an improper or irrelevant topic, or which request general information about Tier. All other stockholder communications will be forwarded to the director or directors to whom they are addressed.

Nomination of Director Candidates

The Governance and Nominating Committee will consider director nominees proposed by stockholders by following the same process, and applying the same criteria, as it follows for candidates submitted by others. Stockholders can recommend an individual for directorship consideration by submitting the name of the individual for consideration together with appropriate biographical information and background materials and a statement as to whether the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation has beneficially owned more than 5% of our common stock for at least a year as of the date such recommendation is made. The information should be submitted to the Governance and Nominating Committee, c/o Corporate Secretary, Tier Technologies, Inc., 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191.

Pursuant to our bylaws, stockholders of record on the date of the notice described in this section and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting have the right to nominate director candidates, without any action or recommendation on the part of the Governance and Nominating Committee or the Board, only if timely written notice in proper form of the intent to make a nomination at a meeting of stockholders is received by our corporate secretary at: Tier Technologies, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 10780 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 400, Reston, Virginia 20191. To be

timely under our bylaws, the notice must be delivered not less than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the 10^th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. To be in proper form, the notice must contain prescribed information about the proponent and each nominee, including such information about each nominee and proponent as would be required to be included in a proxy statement made in connection with a solicitation of proxies for elections of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

In evaluating director candidates, including current members of the Board eligible for re-election, the Governance and Nominating Committee considers many factors, including the current size and composition of the Board and its committees; a candidate’s understanding of marketing, finance, sales, and technology, and of our business and technology; and such other factors as the Governance and Nominating Committee may deem appropriate. The Governance and Nominating Committee requires that any director candidate satisfy the following minimum qualifications:

	•		financial literacy, demonstrated reputation for integrity, and the ability to exercise sound business judgment;
	•		high personal and professional ethics;
	•		understanding of the fiduciary responsibilities required as a member of the Board and the commitment, time, and ability to meet these responsibilities; and
	•		an appropriate professional background providing an understanding of our technology, technology development, finance, sales, and marketing.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Related Person Transaction Policy

The Board has adopted a written policy and procedures for review, approval, and ratification of transactions involving Tier and “related persons”. Related persons include Tier’s executive officers, directors, 5% or more beneficial owners of our common stock, immediate family members of these persons, and entities in which one of these persons has a direct or indirect material interest. The policy covers any related person transaction exceeding $50,000 in which a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Policies and Procedures for Review, Approval, or Ratification of Related Person Transactions

	•		Any related person transaction proposed to be entered into by Tier must be reported to our General Counsel.
	•		The Governance and Nominating Committee shall review and approve all related person transactions, prior to effectiveness or consummation of the transaction, whenever practicable.
	•		If the General Counsel determines that advance approval of a related person transaction is not practicable under the circumstances, the Governance and Nominating Committee shall review and, in its discretion, may ratify the related person transaction at the next Governance and Nominating Committee meeting, or at the next meeting following the date that the related person transaction comes to the attention of the General Counsel; provided, however, that the General Counsel may present a related person transaction arising in the time period between meetings of the Governance and Nominating Committee to the Chair of the Governance and Nominating

			Committee, who shall review and may approve the related person transaction, subject to ratification by the Governance and Nominating Committee at the next meeting.
	•		Previously approved transactions of an ongoing nature shall be reviewed by the Governance and Nominating Committee annually to ensure that such transactions have been conducted in accordance with the previous approval granted by the Governance and Nominating Committee, if any, and that all required disclosures regarding the related person transaction are made.

Standards for Review, Approval, or Ratification of Related Person Transaction

The Committee reviews, approves, or ratifies a related party transaction primarily based on the following standards:

	•		the related person’s interest in the transaction, the dollar value of the amount involved, and the dollar value of the amount of the related person’s interest, without regard to profit or loss;
	•		whether the transaction was undertaken in the ordinary course of business;
	•		whether the transaction with the related person is proposed to be, or was, entered into on terms no less favorable to us than terms that could have been reached with an unrelated third party; and
	•		the purpose of, and potential benefits to us of, the transaction.

During fiscal year 2008, we purchased $627,000 of telecom services from ITC Deltacom, Inc., a company for which our director John J. Delucca serves as a member of the board of directors. We also paid $185,000 for consultancy services to Edgar, Dunn & Company, for which our director David A. Poe serves as consultant and director.

MEETING AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

During fiscal year 2008, the Board held 14 meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and any committees on which he served, held during the period in which he was a director or committee member. Directors may attend the annual meeting, but are not obligated to do so. Mr. Rossetti was the only director who attended last year’s annual meeting. Committee functions and members are as follows:

Audit Committee

Number of Members: 3 Members:      Charles W. Berger (Chair)      Samuel Cabot III (thru 9/30/08)      Morgan P. Guenther      James R. Stone (effective 10/01/08) Number of Meetings in Fiscal 2008: 10		Functions: Selects the independent registered public accounting firm to audit Tier’s books and records, subject to stockholder ratification, and determines the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm. At least annually, reviews a report by the independent registered public accounting firm describing: internal quality control procedures, any issues raised by an internal or peer quality control review and any investigations by regulatory authorities. Consults with the independent registered public accounting firm, reviews and approves the scope of their audit, and reviews independence and performance. Also reviews any proposed engagement between Tier and the independent registered public accounting firm and approves in advance

		any such engagement, if appropriate. Reviews internal controls, accounting practices and financial reporting, including the results of the annual audit and the review of the interim financial statements, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Discusses earnings releases and guidance provided to the public. As appropriate, obtains advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting or other advisors. Prepares a report of the Audit Committee to be included in our proxy statement. Assesses annually the adequacy of the Audit Committee Charter. Reports to the Board about these matters.

Compensation Committee

Number of Members: 3 Members:      Samuel Cabot III (Chair)      Charles W. Berger (thru 9/30/08)      Morgan P. Guenther      Philip G. Heasley (effective 10/01/08) Number of Meetings in Fiscal 2008: 11		Functions: Reviews and approves the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers. Reviews executive bonus plan allocations. Oversees and advises the Board on the adoption of policies that govern our compensation programs. Oversees the administration of our equity-based compensation and other benefit plans. Approves grants of stock options and stock awards to our officers and employees.

Governance and Nominating Committee

Number of Members: 3 Members:      Morgan P. Guenther (Chair)      John J. Delucca (effective 4/23/08)      Samuel Cabot (effective 10/1/08)      James R. Stone (7/22/08 — 9/30/08)      T. Michael Scott (thru 2/28/08)      Bruce R. Spector (thru 2/28/08) Number of Meetings in Fiscal 2008: 5		Functions: Interviews, evaluates and recommends individuals for membership on the Board and its committees. Evaluates and recommends, where appropriate, whether a member of the Board qualifies as independent within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQ rules. Recommends guidelines and responsibilities relating to corporate governance for adoption by the Board. Reviews, approves or ratifies related person transactions. Evaluates and recommends director compensation.

The charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Governance and Nominating Committee are available for review on our website at http://www.tier.com.

PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has nominated the seven individuals named below for election to the Board at the annual meeting. Each of the Board’s nominees is currently serving as a director; each was recommended for election by the Governance and Nominating Committee; and each was approved by the Board. Each nominee has consented to serve if elected and our Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve, if elected. Subject to the discussion of cumulative voting and discretionary voting above, shares represented by proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the nominees named below. In the event that any nominee should be unavailable for election as a result of an unexpected occurrence, such shares will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee as the Governance and Nominating Committee may propose. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.

Background

Shareholders have communicated with the Board about strategic matters on several occasions over the past ten months. As described below, the Company’s Board and management have endeavored to respond appropriately and constructively in each instance.

Between April 17 and April 21, 2008, Discovery, Parthenon, and two other shareholders sent separate letters to the Board. Among other things, Discovery and Parthenon recommended that the Board engage an investment bank to explore all strategic alternatives available to the Company, including the potential sale of the Company. On April 25, 2008, the Board responded to Discovery, Parthenon, and the other shareholders, thanking them for sharing their perspective and stating that the Board was carefully considering the strategic issues they had raised. In May 2008, Discovery requested a meeting with independent members of the Board, and in June 2008 two independent directors met by conference call with Discovery. At that meeting, Discovery urged, among other things, that the Board engage an investment banking firm to explore strategic alternatives, including the sale of the Company, and that the Board authorize the Company to repurchase outstanding shares of its common stock. On September 4, 2008, Discovery notified Tier that it intended to propose the shareholder proposals described in “Proposals Three and Four: Shareholder Proposals” on page 43.

In October 2008, Discovery and the independent director who chairs our Board’s Governance and Nominating Committee exchanged e-mail messages about the potential sale of the Company and the Company’s management. On October 22, 2008, Parthenon sent a letter to the Board, urging the Board to initiate a stock repurchase program and pursue the sale of the Company, and requesting a meeting with the Board. In December 2008, two independent directors met by conference call with Parthenon.

On December 4, 2008, Discovery notified the Company that it intended to nominate two individuals for election to the Board at the annual meeting and that it intended to solicit proxies in support of its nominees. On December 30, 2008, Parthenon notified the Company that it intended to nominate two individuals for election to the Board at the annual meeting and that it did not intend to solicit proxies in support of its nominees. Parthenon’s notice also stated that Parthenon was not part of any group that intended to solicit proxies. In January 2009, representatives of the Company spoke with representatives of Discovery and Parthenon, but those conversations did not result in any settlement of the proxy contest.

As part of its continuing oversight and management of the Company and its business, the Board considered strategic matters both prior to and after receipt of the communications from shareholders described above. For example, commencing in the fall of 2006, the Board oversaw a strategic review of the Company’s business. In December 2006, the Board received presentations from management and an investment banking firm regarding a plan to focus the Company’s business on the electronic payment processing business, or EPP, and various strategic alternatives to that plan, including the prospects for a sale of the Company. The Board directed management to focus on EPP and sell or wind-down the Company’s business units other than EPP, believing that strategy to be the one most likely to enhance the Company’s profitability and maximize long-term shareholder value. Thereafter, the Board was

updated by the investment banking firm on the restructuring and on the various strategic alternatives, and the Board discussed those alternatives. By December 31, 2008, the Company’s restructuring was substantially complete, and on January 18, 2009, the Board adopted a stock repurchase program, as reported in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on January 21, 2009.

In addition, on January 18, 2009, the Board of Directors increased the size of the Board to nine (with such increase effective at the 2009 annual meeting) and determined to nominate the seven candidates named below. The Board’s action followed our receipt of separate notices from both Parthenon and Discovery that each intended to nominate two individuals for election to the Board. The Board had several reasons for its decision. Among other things, the Board was aware that some shareholders believed that the Board did not sufficiently appreciate these shareholders’ perspective, and the Board’s decision to increase the size of the Board to nine and nominate only seven candidates ensures that two candidates proposed by the shareholders will be added to the Board at the 2009 annual meeting (assuming these candidates are properly nominated, in compliance with our bylaws, and votes are validly cast for these candidates).

The Board has determined that each of the following nominees for director is independent under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.: Charles W. Berger, Samuel Cabot III, John J. Delucca, Morgan P. Guenther, Philip G. Heasley, and David A. Poe. Each director elected will serve until the next annual meeting and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation, or removal.

Nominees

The names and certain biographical information of each director nominee are set forth below.

Charles W. Berger

Age: 56—Director since: January 2002

Recent Business Experience: In April 2006, Mr. Berger became Chief Executive Officer of DVDPlay, Inc., a manufacturer and operator of DVD rental kiosks. He has been Chairman of the Board of DVDPlay, Inc. since December 2001. From March 2003 through September 2005, Mr. Berger served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director of Nuance Communications, Inc., a publicly traded company that developed and marketed speech recognition software. In September 2005, Nuance Communications merged with Scansoft, Inc. Mr. Berger is a director of the surviving company of this merger, Nuance Communications, Inc., a publicly traded company that develops and markets speech recognition and imaging software. Mr. Berger has also served as the managing director of Volatilis, LLC, a private investment and aviation services firm, since its founding in June 2001. Since December 2004, Mr. Berger has been a director of SonicWALL, Inc., a publicly traded company that manufactures computer network security applications.

Samuel Cabot III

Age: 68—Director since: January 1997

Recent Business Experience: Mr. Cabot served as Chief Executive Officer of Samuel Cabot, Inc., a manufacturing and marketer of premium quality exterior stains and architectural coatings, from 1969 until December 2005. He also served as Chairman of its board of directors from February 2000 until January 2006. Mr. Cabot also serves on the board of BC/BS of Massachusetts, a non-profit health insurance provider, Plasticolors, Inc., an employee-owned company providing custom color and chemical dispersion, Fiduciary Trust Co., a financial services firm, and Reed & Barton, a flatware manufacturer.

John J. Delucca

Age: 65—Director since: February 2007

Recent Business Experience: Since April 2003 Mr. Delucca has served as President of Atlantic & Gulf, Limited, LLC, an investment and consulting group. He was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of REL Consultancy Group, a provider of financial consulting services to businesses, from April 2003 until March 2004. From 1999 until February 2002, he was Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration, and Chief Financial Officer of Coty, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of personal fragrances. Mr. Delucca is a director of British Energy, PLC, a publicly traded electric utility company; Endo Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., a publicly traded developer and reseller of prescription pharmaceuticals; and ITC Deltacom, Inc., a publicly traded provider of integrated communication services.

Morgan P. Guenther

Age: 55—Director since: August 1999

Recent Business Experience: Mr. Guenther has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Airplay Network, Inc., a wireless entertainment services company, since May 2005. From February 2003 to April 2005, he served as a private consultant to technology companies. From October 2001 through January 2003, Mr. Guenther served as President of TiVo, Inc., a creator of digital video recording services. From June 1999 through October 2001, Mr. Guenther served as Vice President of Business Development and Senior Vice President of Business Development and Revenue Operations at TiVo. Mr. Guenther also serves as a board member for Integral Development Corp., a provider of electronic capital markets trading solutions.

Philip G. Heasley

Age: 59—Director since: August 2008

Recent Business Experience: Since March 2005, Mr. Heasley has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ACI Worldwide, Inc., a developer of electronic payment software products. From October 2003 to March 2005, Mr. Heasley served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PayPower LLC, an acquisition and consulting firm specializing in financial services and payment services. From October 2000 to November 2003, Mr. Heasley served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First USA Bank. From 1996 until November 2003, Mr. Heasley served as Chairman of the Board of Visa and a member of the board of Visa International. Mr. Heasley also serves on the boards of directors of ACI Worldwide, Inc., a publicly traded company that develops electronic payment software products, Fidelity National Financial, Inc., a publicly traded company providing property inspections, preservation services and title insurance services, and Public Radio International, a media company.

David A. Poe

Age: 60—Director since: October 2008

Recent Business Experience: From March 1980, Mr. Poe has served as a consultant and director of Edgar, Dunn & Company, or EDC, an independent global financial services and payments consultancy. From March 1998 to May 2008, Mr. Poe served as Chief Executive Officer of EDC. Mr. Poe also serves as a board member for Bank of San Francisco and the University of Idaho.

Ronald L. Rossetti

Age: 65—Director since: November 1995

Recent Business Experience: Mr. Rossetti has served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since May 2006 and has served as a director of Tier since November 1995. Mr. Rossetti has served as President of Riverside Capital Partners, Inc., a venture capital investment firm, and as general partner in several real estate general partnerships, all commonly controlled by Riverside Capital Holdings, since 1997.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
EACH NOMINEE NAMED ABOVE.

REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

Under Delaware law, shareholders have the right to remove any director, or the entire board of directors. Delaware law also provides that, where a corporation has cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against such director’s removal would be sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors. Tier has cumulative voting, and in January 2009, Tier amended Section 2.7 of bylaws, which relates to the removal of directors, so that Tier’s bylaws are consistent with this provision of Delaware law.

The following are two examples of how the statute and bylaw would be applied, if shareholders sought to remove one director from Tier’s nine-member Board, if Tier had 20,000,000 shares of stock outstanding and entitled to vote in the election of directors at the time of the vote on the removal proposal, and if the holders of all 20,000,000 shares cast votes on the removal proposal:

•		If the holders of 17,999,999 shares voted in favor of the director’s removal, and the holders of 2,000,001 shares voted against removal, then the director would not be removed. The director would not be removed because the total number of possible votes that could be cast in the election of a nine member Board would be 180,000,000, with the top nine vote recipients being elected to the Board, meaning that 18,000,001 would be the threshold number of votes necessary to secure a seat on the Board in a contested election (and, therefore, to defeat a proposal to remove a director). Since the holders of 2,000,001 shares would be entitled to cast 18,000,009 votes, the director would remain on the Board.
•		If the holders of 18,000,001 shares voted in favor of the director’s removal, and the holders of 1,999,999 shares voted against removal, then the director would be removed. The director would be removed because the holders of 1,999,999 shares would be entitled to cast 17,999,991 votes, falling 10 votes short of the number of votes that would be required to secure a seat on the Board in a contested election (and, therefore, to defeat a proposal to remove a director).

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

The foregoing report is given by the members of the Compensation Committee: Samuel Cabot, III (Chair), Morgan P. Guenther, and Philip G. Heasley.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

During fiscal 2008, the members of the Compensation Committee were Messrs. Cabot, Berger, Guenther, and Heasley, none of whom was a current or former officer or employee of Tier and none of whom had any related person transaction involving Tier. No interlocking relationships exist between the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee and the board of directors or the compensation committee of any other entity.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Compensation Philosophy, Objectives, and Design

Compensation Philosophy

Our compensation philosophy for all our employees is to create an overall compensation package that provides fair and competitive cash compensation and aligns performance-based incentives with the interests of our shareholders. This compensation philosophy is particularly true for our named executive officers, as we rely on their leadership, management skills, and experience for Tier’s continued growth and development.

Compensation Objectives

Our Compensation Committee establishes and reviews our overall executive compensation philosophy and objectives and oversees our executive compensation programs. The primary goals of our compensation program are to:

	•		attract, retain, and motivate talented employees;
	•		support business strategies that promote sustained growth and development;
	•		reward the achievement of business results through the delivery of competitive pay and performance-based incentive programs; and
	•		link executives’ goals with the interests of shareholders by tying a portion of compensation to our stock.

We design our compensation strategy and packages for our executive officers to further these goals.

Performance

Our goal is to encourage and sustain high-quality performance by our executives. To achieve this goal, we compensate our executives for their individual skills, talents, leadership qualities, and responsibilities, primarily through base salary. To encourage our executives to meet and exceed current performance levels, enhance their skill levels, and maximize their contributions to our company, we also provide performance-based cash incentive compensation, framed around both consolidated company and individual targets for the executive’s area of responsibility. The combination of guaranteed cash compensation in the form of base salary and the potential for additional performance-based compensation through our incentive compensation programs allow us to reward our executives for the value they add to our company.

Alignment

To align the interests of our executives with those of our company and our shareholders, we provide performance-based cash incentive and long-term incentive compensation. As discussed above, cash incentive compensation is based in part on Tier achieving specific goals or targets for the fiscal year. By

linking individual incentive compensation to Tier’s goals, we align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders and our clients. In addition, we provide long-term incentives to our executives through stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs). This further aligns the interests of our executives with our shareholders as contributors to Tier’s growth and value based upon stock performance. Through our long-term incentive program, executives only receive a benefit through a sustained increase in our stock price.

Retention

We operate in a competitive work environment in which executives are presented with many opportunities outside of Tier. It is important to retain and grow our current leadership to provide stability within our organization and allow for sustained focus and effort to grow and develop the company for continued success. We believe that a combination of market-based competitive salaries and cash bonuses combined with performance-based short-and long-term incentives awarded to our executives through cash incentives and stock options promotes long-term tenure within our organization and sustainable shareholder value.

Implementing Our Objectives

Determining Compensation

The Compensation Committee relies heavily on its professional judgment and prior experience and on recommendations by our Chief Executive Officer when making compensation decisions. The Compensation Committee does not have a formulaic approach to determining executive compensation. The Compensation Committee uses broad compensation bands (i.e., salary bands that have a minimum, mid-point, and maximum salary level by function and career level), which are reviewed and updated regularly, as a tool for determining competitive compensation. In determining the appropriate compensation level and structure, the Compensation Committee focuses on Tier’s goals, as well as each executive’s roles and responsibilities; level and type of skills, training, experience and leadership qualities; current compensation; and contributions to the achievement of Tier’s goals. To establish fair and equitable compensation packages for our executives, the Compensation Committee also considers current market employment conditions and trends.

Role of the Compensation Committee and Chief Executive Officer

The Compensation Committee’s primary responsibility is to discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of our executives. It carries out these responsibilities by:

	•		reviewing and approving the compensation for our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers;
	•		reviewing executive bonus plan allocations;
	•		overseeing and advising the Board on the adoption of policies that govern our compensation programs; and
	•		approving grants of stock options and stock awards to our executive officers.

Our Chief Executive Officer assists the Compensation Committee by recommending and reviewing compensation packages for all other executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer discusses company and individual performance objectives and results with the Compensation Committee in connection with establishing cash incentive and long-term incentive compensation metrics and determining amounts to be awarded. The Chief Executive Officer is also involved in recommending and negotiating the terms of his own compensation package.

The other named executive officers do not have a role in determining their own compensation or the compensation of other executives, other than discussing with the Chief Executive Officer their annual individual performance objectives and results, which are utilized in establishing performance metrics used in cash incentive compensation calculations and determining amounts to be awarded.

Peer Groups

To align our executives’ compensation with the market, our Compensation Committee typically uses outside consulting services when hiring a new executive, entering into an employment agreement with a key executive, and reviewing and determining compensation levels and practices in accordance with market best practices. The consultant primarily provides market data from comparable companies. The Compensation Committee uses this data to determine whether the compensation packages for our executives are reasonable and competitive with those of similar companies in the marketplace. We do not target specific medians or measurements from the peer groups to determine compensation packages for our executives.

During fiscal 2008, the Compensation Committee used market peer group studies from John F. Reda & Associates to provide market-based compensation information for the position of Chief Executive Officer; Chief Financial Officer; Chief Operating Officer; Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing; Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing; Senior Vice President EPP Operations; Chief Technical Officer; General Counsel; Controller; and Vice President Human Resources. Peer groups were selected based upon industries of similar nature, capital investment, revenues, and headcount (full time employees). Studies of peer group companies included a review of base salary, cash incentive compensation, and long-term equity incentive compensation.

For fiscal 2008, the Compensation Committee used the following peer group for determining our executive level compensation packages:

ACI Worldwide Inc.		Intersections Inc.		S1 Corp
Alliance Data Systems Corp		Inx Inc.		Techteam Global Inc.
ASTA Funding Inc.		Metvante Technologies Inc.		TNS Inc.
Bottomline Technologies Inc.		NIC Inc.		Total System Services Inc.
CSG Systems International Inc.		Online Resources Inc.		TRX
CyberSource Corp.		Quality Systems Inc.		Tyler Technologies Inc.
Fiserv Inc.		Radiant Systems Inc.		Wright Express Corp
Global Payments Inc.

Elements Used to Achieve Compensation Objectives

Our compensation packages are composed of five main elements: base salary; cash incentive compensation; long-term incentives; perquisites and benefits; and change of control provisions. We do not have a specific method of allocating these elements when determining overall compensation.

Base Salary

The purpose of the base salary is to attract and retain talented employees, as well as compensate individuals for services rendered. Base salary is a material component of an executive’s compensation package.

Base salary is intended to reflect each executive’s role and responsibility within the company, as well as the skills, experience, and leadership qualities the individual brings to the respective position. The Compensation Committee compares our executives’ base salaries with the results of the peer group study to ensure competitiveness; however, the Compensation Committee does not target specific quartiles or medians in the comparison. The Compensation Committee does not assign relative weights or rankings to the factors used to determine base salary; rather, a qualitative determination is made based upon all the factors under consideration.

Each year we conduct salary reviews for all employees, including our named executive officers, in November and apply base compensation increases in December. At that time, base salary increases, if applicable, for our executive officers are determined and approved by the Compensation Committee and put into effect for the upcoming year. Base salary increases for our named executive officers are determined by evaluating base salary currently in place; the achievements of the individual for the review period; individual specific and overall contributions to Tier; and the current market environment. The Compensation Committee considers the following factors when evaluating base salary increases for executives: their individual performance and achievements throughout the year; the performance of their strategic business area, if applicable; and cost of living adjustments.

On April 30, 2008, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a new employment agreement with Mr. Ronald L. Rossetti as Chief Executive Officer. Under the new agreement Mr. Rossetti’s base salary was set at $400,000 per annum. Mr. Rossetti was also awarded 550,000 RSUs pursuant to his employment agreement. As such, the Compensation Committee reduced Mr. Rossetti’s salary from $600,000 to $400,000 to provide Mr. Rossetti with a total compensation package that was in line with our compensation strategy.

Pursuant to an employment agreement executed on January 9, 2008, Mr. Omsberg’s base salary was increased to $190,000 per annum.

On July 1, 2008 we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Johnston pursuant to which he receives a base salary of $275,000 per annum.

The following table sets forth the rates of base salaries of our named executive officers active as of October 1, 2008 and included in this proxy statement, for the fiscal years 2007, 2008, and 2009:

		Base salary rate by fiscal year												% change				% change
		2007				2008				2009				2007 to 2008				2008 to 2009
Ronald L. Rossetti
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board		$	600,000				(1	)		$	400,000				(1	)			(1	)
Ronald W. Johnston (2)
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer			N/A				275,000				272,000				N/A				-1	%
Kevin C. Connell
Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing			250,000				250,000				250,000				0	%			0	%
Keith Omsberg
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary			N/A				190,000				190,000				N/A				0	%

Fiscal year 2008 base salary rates for Messrs. Fountain, Lawler, and Beckerman and Ms. Tully remained consistent with fiscal year 2007 base rates.

Cash Incentive Compensation

Our cash incentive compensation plans are designed to:

	•		align the management team’s financial interests with those of our shareholders;
	•		support a performance-oriented environment that rewards business unit and Tier’s overall results;
	•		attract, motivate, and retain key management critical to Tier’s long-term success; and

•

align compensation with Tier’s business strategy, values, and management initiatives.

A combination of base salary, cash incentive compensation, and long-term incentives are used to attract, motivate, and retain our executive officers and other key contributors. Cash incentives are used in particular to drive performance against defined financial and other performance metrics established as part of Tier’s annual budgeting and strategic planning process, such that our executive officers and other key contributors are recognized for the achievement of specific and measurable company, business unit, and individual performance metrics on an annualized basis.

Our cash incentive compensation plans and individual performance goals under these plans are linked to Tier’s financial performance goals established annually within our business plan, which is reviewed and approved by our Board. This link allows us to combine payment for individual performance with at-risk payment for achieving threshold, target, and maximum company and business unit performance targets. Throughout the year, the Compensation Committee reviews the cash incentive plans for executives for reasonableness and potential for meeting company or business unit defined performance metrics. If performance targets for the fiscal year are not met, the Compensation Committee may still elect to pay bonus incentive compensation on a discretionary basis. The Compensation Committee may also cancel or amend a cash incentive plan based on the outcome of its periodic reviews.

In addition to our formal incentive plans, we may, at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer or at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, award a cash payment to our executive officers, in recognition of achievements outside of performance metrics established under formal cash incentive plans or award cash incentives under other agreements we enter into with an executive.

Bonus Incentive

On May 26, 2006, we entered into a one-year employment agreement with Mr. Rossetti, our Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of this agreement, Mr. Rossetti received a guaranteed bonus of $50,000 per month, as negotiated and agreed upon by the Compensation Committee and Mr. Rossetti. This contract expired on May 25, 2007. On December 21, 2007, the Compensation Committee passed a resolution, which provided Mr. Rossetti with a bonus equal to that which he would have received had his original employment agreement been extended through December 14, 2007. On April 30, 2008, the Compensation Committee entered into a new three year agreement with Mr. Rossetti that provides for a bonus incentive payment of up to 100% of base compensation. In May 2008, the Compensation Committee approved and provided Mr. Rossetti with a bonus of $223,846, which is equal to that which he would have received, had his original employment agreement been extended through April 29, 2008. In addition, in December 2008, the Compensation Committee approved and paid a bonus to Mr. Rossetti in the amount of $166,667, which is 100% of his pro-rated base salary for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. The Compensation Committee believes these bonuses to Mr. Rossetti will help provide stability to the critical position of Chief Executive Officer.

Consistent with the employment agreement entered into July 1, 2008, Mr. Johnston, our Chief Financial Officer, received a guaranteed bonus of 50% of base compensation for the service period from April 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008 which was paid in the amount of $68,750 in December 2008. The Compensation Committee believes these bonuses to Mr. Johnston will help provide stability to the critical position of Chief Financial Officer.

Management Incentive Plan

On December 10, 2007, our Compensation Committee adopted the Fiscal Year 2008 Management Incentive Plan, or MIP. Participants in the MIP included David E. Fountain, who was then our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, as well as Michael A. Lawler, Senior Vice President, Electronic Payment Processing; Kevin C. Connell, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing; and Keith S. Omsberg, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary. Steven M. Beckerman, Senior Vice President, Government Business Process Outsourcing, and Deanne S. Tully, who served for a portion of fiscal year

2008 as our Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, did not participate in the MIP. The MIP was designed to reward eligible employees for the achievement of electronic payment processing (EPP) business unit performance targets on a fiscal year basis. The EPP targets, including threshold, target, and stretch performance targets with associated levels of payout, were determined by executive management at the beginning of the plan year based upon Tier’s strategic plan and budget process and the formulation of specific EPP performance targets.

The following tables illustrate the performance metrics and related potential threshold, target, and maximum payouts for fiscal 2008 under the MIP for Messrs. Fountain, Lawler, Connell, and Omsberg. For each officer, the performance metric was Company earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of $11.8 million. On July 22, 2008, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company would not achieve the performance targets, and no awards were made under the MIP. Any bonuses awarded to the officers listed (as disclosed in other tables) were awarded from a pool of $0.2 million at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee, based on individual performance and contributions throughout the year.

Estimated Payout Levels

		Threshold:				Target:				Maximum:
		92% of Performance				100% of Performance				107% of Performance
Name		metric				metric				metric
David E. Fountain		$	47,923			$	79,872			$	159,744
Michael A. Lawler			32,451				54,085				108,170
Kevin C. Connell			34,321				57,051				114,103
Keith S. Omsberg			9,870				16,450				32,900

The following table provides a summary of the actual cash incentive or bonus payments made to our named executive officers for fiscal year 2008:

Named executive officer		2008 payment
Ronald L. Rossetti		$	390,513
Ronald W. Johnston			68,750
Kevin Connell			50,000
Keith Kendrick			—
Keith S. Omsberg			7,500
David E. Fountain			—
Michael A. Lawler			—
Deanne M. Tully			—
Steven M. Beckerman			—
Total incentive payout		$	516,763

Long-term Incentives

To further align our executives’ financial interests with those of our shareholders, we provide long-term incentives through our Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, or the Plan. These incentives are designed to motivate employees through equity ownership and provide a pay-at-risk element to our compensation package. Under the Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to issue stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, or other stock-based awards to all employees, officers, directors, consultants, and advisors at its discretion. Currently, stock options and RSUs are our preferred method for providing long-term equity incentives to our executives. Since the options are granted with an exercise price equal to the close price of our common stock on the day preceding the grant date, and RSUs are earned based upon share value performance over a defined measurement period, executives receive a benefit only if the stock price appreciates over the term of the option or RSU. We believe these long-term incentives motivate all eligible employees to meet and/or exceed performance goals and contribute to the overall growth and value of Tier. We do not have agreements with any of our executive officers that entitle them to stock option grants or restricted stock awards.

The Compensation Committee meets at least four times per year. At these meetings the Compensation Committee reviews, among other things, new hire status, promotions, and achievements of current executives, in determining whether to make stock option or RSU grants. Options and RSUs are considered granted on the date the Compensation Committee approves the granting of the options and/or the RSUs, with the closing price on the business day preceding the option grant date as the exercise price of the award. RSUs, while awarded at the time of grant by the Compensation Committee, are earned upon the achievement of defined and sustained share value performance targets. The Compensation Committee awards options and RSUs at its discretion and in accordance with the Plan requirements as to the amount of options that may be awarded to executives throughout a fiscal year, taking into account an executive’s performance, level of responsibility and future contributions to Tier. The maximum amount of options that may be awarded to an executive is 300,000 shares per fiscal year under the terms of the Plan. The maximum number of RSUs that could be awarded under the terms of the Plan is 500,000 units. We reached this maximum number during fiscal 2008. As such, all future RSU awards will be made outside of the Plan and settled in cash. Typically options vest as to 20% of the underlying shares on the anniversary of the grant date and have a maximum ten year term, while restricted stock units vest upon a three year cliff schedule Options and RSUs that are unvested upon an executive’s termination are generally forfeited, unless otherwise provided in an option agreement or employment agreement. We believe this encourages executive performance, tenure and the promotion of sustained growth with Tier. However, our named executive officers may be entitled to accelerated vesting of their options and RSUs under certain circumstances, including a change of control. See Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control section on page 35 for additional information.

In fiscal year 2008, Mr. Rossetti was granted 550,000 RSUs on April 30, 2008 in connection with the enterprise value award under his employment agreement as approved by the Compensation Committee. Pursuant to the Plan, 500,000 units can be payable in shares of our common stock. The remaining 50,000 units may be payable in cash.

The Compensation Committee granted Mr. Omsberg options to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock on October 1, 2007 and options to purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock on December 10, 2007.

The Compensation Committee granted Mr. Johnston options to purchase 200,000 shares of our common stock on July 1, 2008.

The Compensation Committee did not award any options to Messrs. Fountain, Lawler, Connell, or Beckerman or Ms. Tully in fiscal year 2008.

Executive Performance Stock Unit Plan

In an effort to further align our executives’ financial interests with those of our shareholders and promote stability in key executive positions, the Compensation Committee adopted the Executive Performance Stock Unit Plan, or PSU Plan, on December 4, 2008, or the effective date. Under the PSU Plan a maximum of 800,000 units may be issued for award to eligible executives. The units will be awarded only upon the achievement and maintenance for a period of 60 days of specific share performance targets, or Share Price Performance Targets, of $8.00, $9.50, $11.00, and $13.00 per share for approved participants as the effective date. For participants hired after the effective date, the Committee will establish Share Price Performance Targets based on 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% increases in the share price. The PSUs will be awarded in four equal tranches at those Share Price Performance Targets; any PSUs awarded will vest on December 4, 2011, the third anniversary of the effective date, unless they vest earlier upon a change in control event as described below.

We intend to pay PSUs in cash in the pay period in which the grant becomes fully vested. However, if we have shares available for such issuance under, if required, a shareholder approved plan, we may instead issue shares of our common or restricted stock in an amount equivalent to the value of the PSUs. An executive will be entitled to receive a payment equal to (x) the price of a share of our common stock as of

the close of market on the date of vesting, but not more than $15.00, multiplied by (y) the number of PSUs that have been awarded to the executive.

Under the Plan’s change in control provision, if we experience a change in control event, the units that have been awarded or would be awarded based upon the per share value realized by our stockholders in the change in control event will be immediately awarded, and the payment due to the executive will be based on such per share value realized by our stockholders in the change in control event, not to exceed a $15.00 per share. If the executive continues to be employed by the surviving entity following the change in control event, the award will be paid at the earlier of two years after the change in control event or three years after the effective date of the Plan. Payment of the award may be accelerated following a change in control event for termination without cause; death or disability, or resignation for good reason. The Plan defines a change of control event as:

	•		any person, entity, or affiliated group becoming the beneficial owner or owners of more than 50% of the outstanding equity securities of Tier, or otherwise becoming entitled to vote shares representing more than 50% of the undiluted total voting power of our then-outstanding securities eligible to vote to elect members of the Board;
	•		a consolidation or merger (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of Tier pursuant to which the holders of our equity securities immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions would not be the holders immediately after such transaction or series of related transactions of more than 50% of the securities eligible to vote to elect members of the Board of the entity surviving such transaction or series of related transactions; or
	•		the sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of Tier.

Perquisites and Benefits

All of our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate in our benefits programs. Our benefits programs include: paid time off; medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) safe harbor contribution; group term life insurance; short term disability; long term disability; and a range of voluntary or elective benefits. Other than our 401(k) program, in which all eligible employees may participate, we do not have any retirement, pension, or deferred compensation plans in effect for our named executive officers.

We do not have an established executive benefits program or an executive perquisite program. Typically, we do not provide perquisites to our named executive officers at the senior vice president level.

We provide limited perquisites to our Chief Executive Officer as discussed below. We believe these perquisites benefit us and our shareholders by ensuring that our Chief Executive Officer is able to maintain a regular presence at our headquarters to meet his duties and responsibilities in full.

Chief Executive Officer Perquisites

Pursuant to his April 30, 2008 employment agreement, we provide Mr. Rossetti with a fully-furnished corporate apartment located near our corporate headquarters in Reston, Virginia. We also provide Mr. Rossetti with local transportation for travel while he is located in Reston, Virginia. In addition, we reimburse Mr. Rossetti for travel to and from his current residence to our corporate headquarters. Travel reimbursement includes airfare, ground transportation, parking, and meals. Mr. Rossetti is provided home office equipment and a cellular phone to assist him in executing his responsibilities, while he is absent from our headquarters.

In addition, if Mr. Rossetti recognizes income for income tax purposes as a result of our payment of certain expenses, we are obligated to make a tax gross-up payment to Mr. Rossetti based upon the additional tax liability.

Change of Control

Messrs. Rossetti, Johnston, Connell, and Omsberg have change of control arrangements through their employment agreements. Messrs. Fountain, Lawler, and Beckerman and Ms. Tully had change of control arrangements through their employment agreements or a separate change of control agreement. We provide change of control arrangements to our executives to promote stability and continuity at a time when the departure of executive officers would be detrimental to our growth and development and shareholder value. Executives are entitled to change of control payments upon termination within one year of a change of control event. Payments are due to the executive within thirty days of such termination. For a change of control provision to be triggered, the change of control event, as defined below, must occur and the executive’s employment must terminate.

A change of control is defined in our employment agreements as:

	•		any person, entity or affiliated group becoming the beneficial owner or owners of more than 50% of the outstanding equity securities of Tier, or otherwise becoming entitled to vote shares representing more than 50% of the undiluted total voting power of our then-outstanding securities eligible to vote to elect members of the Board;
	•		a consolidation or merger (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of Tier pursuant to which the holders of our equity securities immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions would not be the holders immediately after such transaction or series of related transactions of more than 50% of the securities eligible to vote to elect members of the Board of the entity surviving such transaction or series of related transactions;
	•		the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of Tier;
	•		the dissolution or liquidation of Tier; or
	•		the date on which (i) we consummate a “going private” transaction pursuant to Section 13 and Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act, or (ii) no longer have a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act .

Under Mr. Beckerman’s change of control agreement, the following also constituted a change of control:

•

any person, entity or affiliated group becoming the beneficial owner or owners of more than 50% of the outstanding equity securities of Tier, or of a subsidiary that holds substantial assets or is the primary location of the strategic business unit or practice unit in which Mr. Beckerman was engaged or otherwise becoming entitled to vote shares representing more than 50% of the undiluted total voting power of the then-outstanding securities eligible to vote to elect members of the board of directors or of the business unit or practice unit’s board of directors.

Under Mr. Rossetti’s change of control agreement, each of the following would constitute a “change of control”:

•

any person, entity or affiliated group becoming the beneficial owner or owners of more than 35% of the outstanding equity securities of Tier, or otherwise becoming entitled to vote

			shares representing more than 35% of the undiluted total voting power of our then-outstanding securities eligible to vote to elect members of the Board;
	•		a consolidation or merger (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of Tier pursuant to which the holders of our equity securities immediately prior to such transaction or series of related transactions would not be the holders immediately after such transaction or series of related transactions of at least 65% of the securities eligible to elect members of the board of directors of the entity surviving such transaction or series of related transactions; or
	•		the sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of Tier.

In fiscal year 2008, specific pay-outs under change of control provisions were determined through negotiations of each individual’s employment agreement. For actual and potential payments upon a change of control arrangements for our named executive officers, see Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control section of Executive Compensation on page 35.

Payouts to Named Executive Officers in Connection with Termination of Employment

On December 12, 2007, we entered into a transition agreement with Ms. Tully for employment separation effective March 31, 2008 for the payment of one year’s base salary in a single lump sum payment at $220,000, the provision of COBRA benefit reimbursement for a period of 12 months, and the reimbursement of out-placement services not to exceed $7,500. In addition, we entered into a consulting agreement with Ms. Tully for a period of April 2008 through September 2008, pursuant to which we compensated her $18,333 per month.

Mr. Lawler’s employment with Tier terminated on September 26, 2008. Pursuant to his employment agreement dated October 29, 2007, Mr. Lawler was entitled to a lump sum payment equal to one times his annual base salary of $237,000 and the reimbursement of COBRA benefits for a period of up to 12 months.

Mr. Beckerman’s employment with Tier terminated on September 30, 2008. Pursuant to his employment agreement dated October 29, 2007, Mr. Beckerman was entitled to a lump sum payment of two times his annual base compensation of $220,000, and reimbursement of COBRA benefits for a period of 18 months. In addition, we entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Beckerman for a period of October and November 2008, pursuant to which we compensated him $19,866 per month.

Tax and Accounting Implications

Deductibility of Compensation

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, generally disallows federal tax deductions for compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to the Chief Executive Officer and the next four highly paid officers. Compensation that is “performance-based” within the meaning of the Code does not count toward the $1.0 million limit. We believe it is in our best interest, to the extent practicable, to have executive compensation be fully deductible under the Code. However, the Compensation Committee has full discretion to provide compensation that potentially may not be fully deductible.

Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

Effective October 1, 2005, we began accounting for share-based payments in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123(R)—Share-Based Payment. As such, we value the options granted based on the grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes model.

We value RSUs using a Monte Carlo simulation option pricing model. We recognize compensation expense over the vesting period of the option or RSU grants, which ranges from three to five years. Additional information about the valuation of our options and RSUs can be found in Note 13—Share-Based Payment of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

This section provides certain tabular and narrative information regarding the compensation of our principal executive and financial officers and our other most highly compensated executive officers for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. Messrs. Johnston and Omsberg became named executive officers during fiscal 2008; therefore only fiscal 2008 information is reported for these individuals. For additional information regarding compensation of the named executive officers, see Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 19.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation of our named executive officers during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

																						Non-equity
														Stock				Option				incentive plan				All other
Name and principal						Salary				Bonus				awards				awards				compensation				compensation				Total
position		Year				($)				($)(1)				($) (2)				($)(2)				($)(3)				($)(4)				($)
Ronald L. Rossetti			2008			$	589,231			$	390,513			$	264,583			$	—			$	—			$	278,363			$	1,522,690
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board			2007				600,000				600,000				—				119,375				—				230,710				1,550,085
Ronald W. Johnston (5)			2008				172,158				68,750				—				58,326				—				4,943				304,177
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Kevin C. Connell			2008				251,923				50,000				—				62,270				—				6,685				370,878
Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing			2007				245,796				—				—				121,177				167,808				19,482				554,263
Keith S. Omsberg			2008				188,000				92,500				—				50,706				—				5,585				336,791
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
David E. Fountain (6)			2008				181,731				—				—				52,969				—				147,987				382,687
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer			2007				338,942				50,000				—				67,313				175,000				137,174				768,429
Michael A. Lawler (7)			2008				232,442				—				—				71,313				—				272,008				575,763
Senior Vice President Electronic Payment Processing			2007				234,402				—				—				67,845				21,000				5,606				328,853
Deanne M. Tully (8)			2008				110,846				—				—				21,507				—				255,696				388,049
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary			2007				219,117				—				—				48,805				—				5,204				273,126
Steven M. Beckerman (9)			2008				221,692				—				—				106,356				—				464,947				792,995
Senior Vice President, Government Business Process Outsourcing			2007				220,000				—				—				61,071				—				5,204				286,275

[Footnotes begin on next page]

(1)		Reflects bonus payouts for fiscal years 2008 and 2007:

						Employment
Name		Year				agreement				Discretionary				Total bonus payout
Ronald L. Rossetti			2008			$	166,667			$	223,846			$	390,513
			2007				600,000				—				600,000
Ronald W. Johnston			2008				68,750				—				68,750
Kevin C. Connell			2008				—				50,000				50,000
Keith S. Omsberg			2008				—				92,500				92,500
David E. Fountain			2007				—				50,000				50,000

See		page 23 for additional information on bonus payments.
(2)		The amounts included in these columns reflect the value of stock awards and stock option awards that were recognized as an expense for financial statement reporting purposes in fiscal 2008 and 2007, calculated pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123R—Share-Based Payment, excluding any estimate of forfeitures. Accordingly, the columns include amounts relating to awards granted during and prior to the year indicated. The following table summarizes the amounts shown in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns and the amount included for each such award for fiscal 2008. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts and the amounts for fiscal 2007 are included in footnote 13 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

		Stock Awards												Option Awards
																		Total number of
						Total number of												shares
						shares												underlying
		Date of				underlying				Amount included				Date of				options awarded				Amount included
Name		award				shares awarded (#)				in fiscal 2008 ($)				award				(#)				in fiscal 2008 ($)
Ronald L. Rossetti			4/30/08				550,000			$	264,583				—				—			$	—
Ronald W. Johnston			—				—				—				7/1/08				200,000				58,326
Kevin C. Connell			—				—				—				10/4/02				25,000				608
															7/3/03				25,000				19,265
															12/1/03				5,000				5,122
															11/1/04				3,000				2,891
															9/13/06				10,000				6,851
															11/28/06				40,000				27,533
																							62,270
Keith S. Omsberg			—				—				—				12/1/03				3,000				3,073
															11/1/04				3,000				2,891
															9/13/06				10,000				6,852
															10/1/07				30,000				25,453
															12/10/07				20,000				12,437
																							50,706
David E. Fountain			—				—				—				8/12/05				75,000				35,655
															8/24/06				40,000				17,314
																							52,969
Michael A. Lawler			—				—				—				11/1/04				50,000				48,179
															8/24/06				40,000				23,134
																							71,313
Deanne M. Tully			—				—				—				12/1/03				10,000				5,124
															11/1/04				10,000				4,819
															8/24/06				40,000				11,564
																							21,507
Steven M. Beckerman			—				—				—				4/7/06				50,000				62,439
															8/24/06				40,000				43,917
																							106,356

(3)		Reflects cash incentive payouts for fiscal year 2007 under various non-equity incentive plans.

										Total non-equity incentive
Name		Year				Incentive plan				payout
Kevin C. Connell			2007				167,808				167,808
Michael A. Lawler			2007				21,000				21,000

See page 23 for additional information on 2008 performance metrics and payouts.

(4)		Consists of:

	•		the aggregate incremental cost to Tier of providing perquisites and other personal benefits;
	•		company matching contributions under 401(k) plans;
	•		tax reimbursement payments relating to certain business and non-business travel; and
	•		severance expenses.

The following table summarizes the amounts shown in the “All Other Compensation” column:

														Tax								Total all other
Name		Year				Perquisites(a)				401(k)				reimbursement				Severance(b)				compensation
Ronald L. Rossetti			2008			$	183,338			$	6,900			$	88,125			$	—			$	278,363
Ronald L. Rossetti			2007				191,435				6,750				32,525				—				230,710
Ronald W. Johnston			2008				—				4,943				—				—				4,943
Kevin C. Connell			2008				—				6,685				—				—				6,685
Kevin C. Connell			2007				13,648				5,834				—				—				19,482
Keith S. Omsberg			2008				—				5,585				—				—				5,585
David E. Fountain			2008				40,371				5,574				23,921				78,121				147,987
David E. Fountain			2007				88,310				6,750				42,114				—				137,174
Michael A. Lawler			2008				—				6,750				—				265,258				272,008
Michael A. Lawler			2007				—				5,606				—				—				5,606
Deanne M. Tully			2008				—				4,173				—				251,523				255,696
Deanne M. Tully			2007				—				5,204				—				—				5,204
Steven M. Beckerman			2008				—				6,600				—				458,347				464,947
Steven M. Beckerman			2007				—				5,204				—				—				5,204

(a)

See Perquisites and Benefits in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis on page 26 for a discussion on perquisites provided to executives. Perquisites include:

	•		expenses for corporate apartments, including utilities;
	•		air and ground transportation, meals and lodging for personal travel; and
	•		legal consultation fees relating to negotiation and review of employment agreement. The following table summarizes the amounts shown in the “Perquisites” column:

														Legal
Name		Year				Corporate apartment				Travel				consultation				Other
Ronald L. Rossetti			2008			$	39,096			$	113,431			$	30,811			$	—
Ronald L. Rossetti *			2007				41,232				130,375				19,828				—
Kevin C. Connell *			2008				—				—				—				—
			2007				—				13,648				—				—
David E. Fountain			2008				20,420				19,951				—				—
David E. Fountain			2007				34,166				32,144				22,000				—

*		Includes travel by chartered private jet for business meeting which Mr. Connell and Mr. Rossetti attended. Total cost was $27,295 and is split equally between Mr. Connell and Mr. Rossetti.
(b)		The amount in the severance column consists of severance payments and reimbursement for personal time off accrued but not used as of termination date.

	(5)		Mr. Johnston served as interim Chief Financial Officer from April 2008 to June 2008.
	(6)		Mr. Fountain’s employment with us terminated April 4, 2008.
	(7)		Mr. Lawler’s employment with us terminated September 26, 2008.
	(8)		Ms. Tully’s employment with us terminated March 31, 2008. From April 2008 to September 2008, Ms. Tully served as an independent consultant to Tier and was compensated $18,333 per month.
	(9)		Mr. Beckerman’s employment with us terminated September 30, 2008.

Fiscal 2008 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth information regarding grants of plan-based awards made to the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008:

																		All other				All other
																		stock				option awards:
						Estimated future payouts under												awards:				Number of				Exercise or				Grant date fair
						Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)												Number of				Securities				base price of				value of stock
						Threshold				Target				Maximum				shares of				Underlying				option				and option
Name		Grant date				($)(2)				($)(3)				($)(4)				stock(#)(5)				Options(#)				awards ($)(6)				awards ($)(7)
Ronald L. Rossetti			04/30/08	(8)		$	—			$	—			$	—				550,000				—			$	—			$	—
Ronald W. Johnston			07/01/08	(9)			—				68,750				103,125				—				200,000	(15)			8.01				701,840
Kevin C. Connell			12/10/07	(10)			34,321				57,051				114,103				—				—				—				—
Keith S. Omsberg			12/10/07	(11)			9,870				16,450				32,900				—				—				—				—
			10/01/07	(12)			—				—				—				—				30,000	(16)			10.20				127,614
			12/10/07	(12)			—				—				—				—				20,000	(16)			9.25				77,152
David E. Fountain			12/10/07	(13)			47,923				79,872				159,744				—				—				—				—
Michael A. Lawler			12/10/07	(14)			32,451				54,085				108,170				—				—				—				—
Deanne M. Tully			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Steven M. Beckerman			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—