Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

 

Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts, those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and our majority-owned Polish subsidiary, PF Medical, after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

 

When the Company prepares financial statements in conformity with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), the Company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. See Notes 8, 11, 12 and 13 for estimates of discontinued operations and environmental liabilities, closure costs, income taxes and contingencies for details on significant estimates.

Cash

Cash

 

At December 31, 2017, the Company had cash on hand of approximately $1,063,000, which included account balances for our foreign subsidiaries totaling approximately $305,000. At December 31, 2016, the Company had cash on hand of approximately $163,000, which included account balances for our foreign subsidiaries totaling approximately $157,000.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within 30 or 60 days from the invoice date based on the customer type (government, broker, or commercial). The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The Company regularly reviews all accounts receivable balances that exceed 60 days from the invoice date and based on an assessment of current credit worthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. This analysis excludes government related receivables due to our past successful experience in their collectability. Specific accounts that are deemed to be uncollectible are reserved at 100% of their outstanding balance. The remaining balances aged over 60 days have a percentage applied by aging category, based on historical experience that allows us to calculate the total allowance required. Once the Company has exhausted all options in the collection of a delinquent accounts receivable balance, which includes collection letters, demands for payment, collection agencies and attorneys, the account is deemed uncollectible and subsequently written off. The write off process involves approvals from senior management based on required approval thresholds.

 

The following table set forth the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2017     2016  
Allowance for doubtful accounts - beginning of year   $ 272     $ 1,474  
Provision for (recovery of) bad debt reserve     462       (314 )
Write-off     (14 )     (888 )
Allowance for doubtful accounts - end of year   $ 720     $ 272  

Unbilled Receivables

Unbilled Receivables

 

Unbilled receivables are generated by differences between invoicing timing and our proportional performance based methodology used for revenue recognition purposes. As major processing and contract completion phases are completed and the costs are incurred, the Company recognizes the corresponding percentage of revenue. Within our Treatment Segment, the facilities experience delays in processing invoices due to the complexity of the documentation that is required for invoicing, as well as the difference between completion of revenue recognition milestones and agreed upon invoicing terms, which results in unbilled receivables. The timing differences occur for several reasons: partially from delays in the final processing of all wastes associated with certain work orders and partially from delays for analytical testing that is required after the facilities have processed waste but prior to our release of waste for disposal. The tasks relating to these delays usually take several months to complete. As the Company now has historical data to review the timing of these delays, the Company realizes that certain issues, including, but not limited to, delays at our third party disposal site, can extend collection of some of these receivables greater than twelve months. However, our historical experience suggests that a significant portion of unbilled receivables are ultimately collectible with minimal concession on our part. The Company, therefore, segregates the unbilled receivables between current and long-term.

 

Unbilled receivables within our Services Segment can result from: (1) revenue recognized by our Earned Value Management program (a program which integrates project scope, schedule, and cost to provide an objective measure of project progress) but invoice milestones have not yet been met and/or (2) contract claims and pending change orders, including Requests for Equitable Adjustments (“REAs”) when work has been performed and collection of revenue is reasonably assured.

Inventories

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of treatment chemicals, saleable used oils, and certain supplies. Additionally, the Company has replacement parts in inventory, which are deemed critical to the operating equipment and may also have extended lead times should the part fail and need to be replaced. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market with cost determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment expenditures are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets for financial statement purposes, while accelerated depreciation methods are principally used for income tax purposes. Generally, asset lives range from ten to forty years for buildings (including improvements and asset retirement costs) and three to seven years for office furniture and equipment, vehicles, and decontamination and processing equipment. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the term of the lease or the life of the asset. Maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss from sale or retirement is recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Renewals and improvements, which extend the useful lives of the assets, are capitalized.

 

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment”, long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale are presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet. See “Note 3 – M&EC Facility” for impairment charges incurred on tangible assets resulting from the pending closure of the M&EC facility.

 

Our depreciation expense totaled approximately $3,429,000 and $3,717,000 in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets consist primarily of the recognized value of the permits required to operate our business. We continually monitor the propriety of the carrying amount of our permits to determine whether current events and circumstances warrant adjustments to the carrying value.

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment annually as of October 1, or when events or changes in the business environment indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. If the fair value of the asset is less than the carrying amount, we perform a quantitative test to determine the fair value. The impairment loss, if any, is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value. Significant judgments are inherent in these analyses and include assumptions for, among other factors, forecasted revenue, gross margin, growth rate, operating income, timing of expected future cash flows, and the determination of appropriate long term discount rates.

 

Impairment testing of our permits related to our Treatment reporting unit as of October 1, 2017 resulted in no impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2017. In 2016, the Company fully impaired the permit value of our M&EC subsidiary resulting from the pending closure of the facility (see “Note 3 – M&EC Facility” for further information of this impairment). The Company performed impairment testing of its remaining permits related to the Treatment reporting unit as of October 1, 2016 and determined there was no further impairment.

 

Intangible assets that have definite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives (with the exception of customer relationships which are amortized using an accelerated method) and are excluded from our annual intangible asset valuation review as of October 1. The Company has one definite-lived permit which was excluded from our annual impairment review as noted above. Definite-lived intangible assets are also tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest impairment might exist.

R&D

R&D

 

Operational innovation and technical know-how is very important to the success of our business. Our goal is to discover, develop, and bring to market innovative ways to process waste that address unmet environmental needs and to develop new company service offerings. The Company conducts research internally and also through collaborations with other third parties. R&D costs consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits, laboratory costs, third party fees, and other related costs associated with the development and enhancement of new potential waste treatment processes and new technology and are charged to expense when incurred in accordance with ASC Topic 730, “Research and Development.” The Company’s R&D expenses included approximately $1,141,000 and $1,489,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, incurred by our Medical Segment in the R&D of its medical isotope production technology.

Accrued Closure Costs and Asset Retirement Obligations ("ARO")

Accrued Closure Costs and Asset Retirement Obligations (“ARO”)

 

Accrued closure costs represent our estimated environmental liability to clean up our facilities, as required by our permits, in the event of closure. ASC 410, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” requires that the discounted fair value of a liability for an ARO be recognized in the period in which it is incurred with the associated ARO capitalized as part of the carrying cost of the asset. The recognition of an ARO requires that management make numerous estimates, assumptions and judgments regarding such factors as estimated probabilities, timing of settlements, material and service costs, current technology, laws and regulations, and credit adjusted risk-free rate to be used. This estimate is inflated, using an inflation rate, to the expected time at which the closure will occur, and then discounted back, using a credit adjusted risk free rate, to the present value. ARO’s are included within buildings as part of property and equipment and are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the property. In periods subsequent to initial measurement of the ARO, the Company must recognize period-to-period changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows. Increases in the ARO liability due to passage of time impact net income as accretion expense, which is included in cost of goods sold. Changes in costs resulting from changes or expansion at the facilities require adjustment to the ARO liability and are capitalized and charged as depreciation expense, in accordance with the Company’s depreciation policy.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Under ASC 740, the provision for income taxes is comprised of taxes that are currently payable and deferred taxes that relate to the temporary differences between financial reporting carrying values and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Any effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

ASC 740 requires that deferred income tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood that the deferred tax asset will be recovered from future taxable income. The Company considers projected future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies, then records a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying value of the net deferred income taxes to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

 

ASC 740 sets out a consistent framework for preparers to use to determine the appropriate recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions. ASC 740 uses a two-step approach wherein a tax benefit is recognized if a position is more-likely-than-not to be sustained. The amount of the benefit is then measured to be the highest tax benefit which is greater than 50% likely to be realized. ASC 740 also sets out disclosure requirements to enhance transparency of an entity’s tax reserves. The Company recognizes accrued interest and income tax penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

 

The Company reassesses the validity of our conclusions regarding uncertain income tax positions on a quarterly basis to determine if facts or circumstances have arisen that might cause us to change our judgment regarding the likelihood of a tax position’s sustainability under audit.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency

 

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries include PF UK Limited, PF Canada and PF Medical. Assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date and revenue and expenses at the average exchange rate for the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments for these subsidiaries are accumulated as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Concentration Risk

Concentration Risk

 

The Company performed services relating to waste generated by the federal government, either directly as a prime contractor or indirectly for others as a subcontractor to the federal government, representing approximately $36,654,400 or 73.6% of total revenue during 2017, as compared to $27,354,000 or 53.4% of total revenue during 2016.

 

Revenue generated by one of the customers (PSC Metal, Inc.) (non-government related and excluded from above) in the Services Segment accounted for approximately $9,763,000 or 19.1% of the total revenues generated for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Project work for this customer commenced in March 2016 and was completed in December 2016.

 

As our revenues are project/event based where the completion of one contract with a specific customer may be replaced by another contract with a different customer from year to year, we do not believe the loss of one specific customer from one year to the next will generally have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash with high quality financial institutions, which may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured amounts from time to time. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the Company’s large number of customers and their dispersion throughout the United States as well as with the significant amount of work that we perform for the federal government as discussed above.

 

The Company had two government related customers whose net outstanding receivable balance represented 17.9% and 16.8% of the Company’s total consolidated net accounts receivable at December 31, 2017. The Company had two customers whose net outstanding receivable balance represented 10.1% (government related account) and 20.8% (non-government related account) of the Company’s total consolidated net accounts receivable at December 31, 2016.

Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Charges

Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Charges

 

ASC 605-45, “Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Consideration” provides guidance regarding the accounting and financial statement presentation for certain taxes assessed by a governmental authority. These taxes and surcharges include, among others, universal service fund charges, sales, use, waste, and some excise taxes. In determining whether to include such taxes in its revenue and expenses, the Company assesses, among other things, whether it is the primary obligor or principal taxpayer for the taxes assessed in each jurisdiction where the Company does business. As the Company is merely a collection agent for the government authority in certain of our facilities, the Company records the taxes on a net basis and excludes them from revenue and cost of services.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

 

Treatment Segment revenues. The processing of mixed waste is complex and may take several months or more to complete; as such, the Treatment Segment recognizes revenues using a proportional performance based methodology with its measure of progress towards completion determined based on output measures consisting of milestones achieved and completed. The Treatment Segment has waste tracking capabilities, which it continues to enhance, to allow for better matching of revenues earned to the processing phases achieved. The revenues are recognized as each of the following three processing phases are completed: receipt, treatment/processing and shipment/final disposal. However, based on the processing of certain waste streams, the treatment/processing and shipment/final disposal phases may be combined as sometimes they are completed concurrently. As major processing phases are completed and the costs are incurred, the Treatment Segment recognizes the corresponding percentage of revenue utilizing a proportional performance model. The Treatment Segment experiences delays in processing invoices due to the complexity of the documentation that is required for invoicing, as well as the difference between completion of revenue recognition milestones and agreed upon invoicing terms, which results in unbilled receivables. The timing differences occur for several reasons, partially from delays in the final processing of all wastes associated with certain work orders and partially from delays for analytical testing that is required after the waste is processed but prior to our release of the waste for disposal. As the waste moves through these processing phases and revenues are recognized, the correlating costs are expensed as incurred. Although the Treatment Segment uses its best estimates and all available information to accurately determine these disposal expenses, the risk does exist that these estimates could prove to be inadequate in the event the waste requires retreatment. Furthermore, should the waste be returned to the customer, the related receivables could be uncollectible; however, historical experience has not indicated this to be a material uncertainty.

 

Services Segment revenues. Revenue includes services performed under fixed price, time and material, and cost-reimbursement contracts. Revenues and costs associated with fixed price contracts are recognized using the percentage of completion (efforts expended) method. The Services Segment estimates its percentage of completion based on attainment of project milestones. Revenues and costs associated with time and material contracts are recognized as revenue when earned and costs are incurred.

 

Under cost reimbursement contracts, the Services Segment is reimbursed for costs incurred plus a certain percentage markup for indirect costs, in accordance with contract provisions. Costs incurred in excess of contract funding may be renegotiated for reimbursement. The Services Segment also earns a fee based on the approved costs to complete the contract. The Services Segment recognizes this fee using the proportion of costs incurred to total estimated contract costs.

 

Contract costs include all direct labor, material and other non-labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract support, such as depreciation, fringe benefits, overhead labor, supplies, tools, repairs and equipment rental. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments to employees, including grant of options, to be recognized in the Statement of Operations based on their fair values. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation issued to consultants in accordance with the provisions of ASC 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.” Measurement of stock-based payment transactions with consultants, including options, is based on the fair value of whichever is more reliably measurable: (a) the goods or services received; or (b) the equity instrument issued. The measurement date for the fair value of the stock-based payment transaction is determined at the earlier of performance commitment date or performance completion date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair-value of stock-based awards which requires subjective assumptions. Assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock-based awards include the exercise price of the award, the expected term, the expected volatility of our stock over the stock-based award’s expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the award’s expected term, and the expected annual dividend yield. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The components of comprehensive income (loss) are net income (loss) and the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Income (Loss) Per Share

Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic income (loss) per share is calculated based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares during the applicable period. Diluted income (loss) per share is based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares plus the weighted-average number of potential outstanding common shares. In periods where they are anti-dilutive, such amounts are excluded from the calculations of dilutive earnings per share. Income (loss) per share is computed separately for each period presented.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, while other assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies, is:

 

Level 1Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

 

Level 2Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants.

 

Financial instruments include cash (Level 1), accounts receivable, accounts payable, and debt obligations (Level 3). Credit is extended to customers based on an evaluation of a customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. At December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments approximated their carrying values. The fair value of the Company’s revolving credit and term loan approximate its carrying value due to the variable interest rate.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accountings Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-03, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 232) – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to staff Announcements at the September 22, 2016 and November 17, 2016 EITF Meetings.” This amendment states that registrants should consider additional qualitative disclosures if the impact of an issued but not yet adopted ASU is unknown or cannot be reasonably estimated and to include a description of the effect of the accounting policies that the registrant expects to apply, if determined. Transition guidance included in certain issued but not yet adopted ASUs were also updated to reflect this update. This update is effective immediately. The adoption of ASU 2017-03 by the Company in the first quarter of 2017 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The Company will revise its disclosures for the standards not yet adopted as required by ASU 2017-03 as the Company progresses through its impact assessments.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards – Not Yet Adopted

Recently Issued Accounting Standards – Not Yet Adopted

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” followed by a series of related accounting standard updates (collectively referred to as “Topic 606”), which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. Topic 606 provides a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. Under the new standard, a five-step process is utilized in order to determine revenue recognition, depicting the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Topic 606 also requires additional disclosure surrounding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. Topic 606 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). The new standard permits two implementation approaches: the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has completed the evaluation of customer contracts and continues to identify and implement appropriate changes to our business policies, processes, systems and controls to support the adoption, recognition and disclosures under the new standard. The Company will adopt the new revenue standard in the first quarter of 2018 applying the modified retrospective method. Based on our evaluation, we do not believe that the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will result in a significant change in accounting principles applied to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We believe that revenue will continue to be generally recognized consistent with our current revenue recognition model. The potential future impacts would be limited to the capitalization of direct and incremental contract acquisition costs, which have not historically been material. The Company will continue to monitor the materiality of these contract acquisition costs on an ongoing basis to determine if these costs become material and should be capitalized. In accordance with the new standard, the Company will expand revenue recognition disclosures beginning in the first quarter of 2018 to address the new qualitative and quantitative requirements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” Under ASU 2016-02, an entity will be required to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. For public companies, ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. This ASU is effective January 1, 2019 for the Company. The Company is still evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our financial statements.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force),” which aims to eliminate diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and other Topics. Subsequently, in November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” which clarifies the guidance on the cash flow classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flow. ASU 2016-15 and ASU 2016-18 are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017 and are effective January 1, 2018 for the Company. The Company does not expect the adoption of these ASUs to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory,” which eliminates the existing exception in U.S. GAAP prohibiting the recognition of the income tax consequences for intra-entity asset transfers. Under ASU 2016-16, entities will be required to recognize the income tax consequences of intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective on a modified retrospective basis for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. This ASU is effective January 1, 2018 for the Company. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisition, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period and is effective for the Company January 1, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This ASU provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. ASU 2017-09 is to be applied on a prospective basis to an award modified on or after the adoption date. This ASU is effective January 1, 2018 for the Company. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, “Earnings Per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception.” Part I of this update addresses the complexity of accounting for certain financial instruments with down round features. Down round features are features of certain equity-linked instruments (or embedded features) that result in the strike price being reduced on the basis of the pricing of future equity offerings. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. Part II of this update addresses the difficulty of navigating Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, because of the existence of extensive pending content in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and does not have an accounting effect. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU is effective for the Company January 1, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its financial statements.

 

In February 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This ASU allows for the reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act between “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and “Retained earnings.” This ASU relates to the requirement that adjustments to deferred tax liabilities and assets related to a change in tax laws or rates to be included in “Income from continuing operations”, even in situations where the related items were originally recognized in “Other comprehensive income” (rather than in “Income from continuing operations”). ASU 2018-02 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this ASU is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the tax laws or rates were recognized. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its financial statements.