| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bridgepoint Education, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. During 2016, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) and has reclassified certain restricted cash amounts for the year ended December 31, 2015, within the consolidated statements of cash flows. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations or retained earnings. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of cash and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company's restricted cash is primarily held in money market accounts, and is excluded from cash and cash equivalents on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The majority of restricted cash represents funds held for students from Title IV financial aid programs that result in credit balances on a student’s account or funds held for students to be refunded in connection with a legal settlement. To a lesser extent, restricted cash also represents amounts held as collateral for letters of credit. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows. As of December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Cash and cash equivalents $ 185,098 $ 307,802 $ 282,145 Restricted cash 20,428 24,533 24,685 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 205,526 $ 332,335 $ 306,830 Investments The Company has historically held investments that consisted of mutual funds, corporate notes and bonds, and certificates of deposit. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company held investments solely in mutual funds. The Company's investments are denominated in U.S. dollars, are investment grade and are readily marketable. The Company considers as current assets those investments which will mature or are likely to be sold in less than one year. The Company classifies its investments as either trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Trading securities are those bought and held principally to sell in the short-term, with gains or losses from changes in fair value flowing through current earnings. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value as determined by quoted market prices, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of comprehensive income (loss) and stockholders’ equity. Held-to-maturity securities would be carried at amortized cost. Amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts, interest, and realized gains and losses are included in other income, net in the consolidated statement of income (loss). The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the realizable value of its investments. If events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the value of these assets has occurred and is other-than-temporary, the Company would record a charge to other income, net in the consolidated statements of income (loss). Deferred Compensation The Company has a deferred compensation plan, into which eligible participants can defer a maximum of 80% of their regular compensation and a maximum of 100% of their incentive compensation. The amounts deferred by the participant under this plan are credited with earnings or losses based upon changes in values of participant elected notional investments. Each participant is fully vested in the participant amounts deferred. The Company may make contributions that will generally vest according to a four-year vesting schedule. After four years of service, participants become fully vested in the employer contributions upon reaching normal retirement age, death, disability or a change in control. The Company's obligations under the deferred compensation plan totaled $1.4 million and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company's assets relating to the deferred compensation plan totaled $2.1 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in investments in the consolidated balance sheets. Fair Value Measurements The Company uses the three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: (i) Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (ii) Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either observable directly or indirectly, through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and (iii) Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable consists of student accounts receivable, which represent amounts due for tuition, course digital materials, technology fees and other fees from currently enrolled and former students. Students generally fund their education through grants and/or loans under various Title IV programs, tuition assistance from military and corporate employers or personal funds. Generally, payments are due on the respective course start date and are considered past due dependent upon the student's payment terms. In general, an account is considered delinquent 120 days subsequent to the course start date. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. For accounts receivable, an allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated by management and is principally based on historical collection experience as well as (i) an assessment of individual accounts receivable over a specific aging and amount, (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts and (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment. The provision for bad debt is recorded within instructional costs and services in the consolidated statements of income (loss). The Company writes off uncollectable accounts receivable when the student account is deemed uncollectable. Student Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves During 2016, the Company reached a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and in accordance with the terms of the settlement, all existing student loans receivable were written off. The Company’s institutions had already ceased offering institutional loans, and no such loans were made after the year ended December 31, 2014. Before being written off, student loans receivable were stated at the amount management expected to collect from outstanding balances. For tuition related student loan receivables, the Company had estimated an allowance for doubtful accounts, similar to that of accounts receivable, based on (i) an assessment of individual loans receivable over a specific aging and amount, (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts, (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment and (iv) related FICO scores and other industry metrics. The related provision for bad debts for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $0.2 million and $0.1 million , respectively, and is recorded within instructional costs and services in the consolidated statements of income (loss). The Company had also recorded a loss reserve for the full book value of any impaired loans. For the years ended December 31, 2016, and 2015 there was $0.2 million and $1.3 million recorded for loan loss reserves, respectively. The loan loss reserve was maintained at a level deemed adequate by management based on a periodic analysis of the individual loans and is recorded within instructional costs and services in the consolidated statements of income (loss). Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recognized at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows: Furniture and office equipment 3 - 7 years Software 3 - 5 years Vehicles 5 years Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Upon the retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed and a gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statements of income (loss). Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred. Leases Leases are evaluated and classified as either operating or capital leases. Leased property and equipment meeting certain criteria would be capitalized, and the present value of the related lease payments is recognized as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of capitalized leased assets is computed on the straight-line method over the term of the lease or the life of the related asset, whichever is shorter. If the Company receives tenant allowances from the lessor for certain improvements made to the leased property, these allowances are capitalized as leasehold improvements and a long-term liability is established. The long-term liability is amortized on a straight-line basis over the corresponding lease term. The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as either a short-term or long-term liability. The Company recognizes liabilities for exit and disposal activities on non-cancelable lease obligations at fair value in the period the liability is incurred. For the non-cancelable lease obligations, the Company records the obligation when the contract is terminated. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and an expense to operating results. For additional information, see Note 3, “Restructuring and Impairment Charges.” Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant. To evaluate the impairment of goodwill, the Company first assesses qualitative factors, such as deterioration in general economic conditions or negative company financial performance, to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company's assessment of goodwill during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 indicated that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, and therefore, goodwill was not impaired. There have been no related impairment losses recognized by the Company for any periods presented. If negative qualitative indicators had been noted above, the Company would then need to assess the fair value of its reporting unit to determine whether it was greater or less than its carrying values. To evaluate the impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company assessed the fair value of the assets to determine whether they were greater or less than the carrying values. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible asset is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain, and may include such items as growth rates used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and a determination of appropriate market comparables. The Company's assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 did not result in any impairment. There have been no impairment losses for indefinite-lived intangibles recognized by the Company for any periods presented. The Company also has definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of purchased intangibles and capitalized curriculum development costs. The definite-lived intangible assets are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets. Revenue and Deferred Revenue The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered or delivery has occurred, its fees or price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company's revenue consists of tuition, technology fees, course digital materials and other miscellaneous fees. Tuition revenue is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction net of scholarships and expected refunds, with the exception of an online student's first course per degree level at Ashford University. An online student's first course per degree level at Ashford University falls under a three -week conditional admission period in which the revenue is deferred until the student matriculates into the course. The Company's institutions' online students generally enroll in a program that encompasses a series of five to six -week courses that are taken consecutively over the length of the program. With the exception of those students under conditional admission, the online students are billed on a payment period basis on the first day of class. Students under conditional admission are billed for the payment period upon matriculation. The Company assesses collectibility at the start of a student’s payment period for the courses in that payment period, as well as throughout the period as facts and circumstances change. If a student's attendance in a class precedes the receipt of cash from the student's source of funding, the Company establishes an account receivable and corresponding deferred revenue in the amount of the tuition due for that payment period. Cash received either directly from the student or from the student's source of funding reduces the balance of accounts receivable due from the student. Financial aid from sources such as the federal government's Title IV programs pertains to the online student's award year and is generally divided into two disbursement periods. As such, each disbursement period may contain funding for up to four courses. Financial aid disbursements are typically received during the online student's attendance in the first or second course. Since the majority of disbursements cover more courses than for which a student is currently enrolled, the amount received in excess effectively represents a prepayment from the online student for up to four courses. At the end of each accounting period, the deferred revenue and student deposits and related account receivable balances are reduced to present amounts attributable to the current course. Students under conditional admission are not obligated for payment until after their conditional admission period has lapsed, so there is no revenue recognized and no related refund. For all subsequent courses, the Company records a provision for expected refunds and reduces revenue for the amount that is expected to be subsequently refunded. Provisions for expected refunds have not been material to any period presented. If a student withdraws prior to a specified date, a portion of such student's tuition is refunded, subject to certain state requirements. The Company reassesses collectibility throughout the period revenue is recognized by the Company's institutions, on a student-by-student basis. The Company reassesses collectibility based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant to a student's ability to pay. For example, the Company reassesses collectibility when a student drops from the institution (i.e., is no longer enrolled) and when a student attends a course that was not included in the initial assessment of collectibility at the start of a student’s payment period. In certain cases, the Company's institutions provide scholarships to students for various programs. Scholarships issued by the universities are recorded in association with the related specific course, term or payment period. Scholarships are generally deferred and recognized against revenue over the course term. Certain scholarships, such as the Corporate Full Tuition Grant (“FTG”) and Alumni Scholarship are recognized against revenue over the period of benefit to the student. Ashford University records revenue from technology fee on a per course charge basis. The per course technology fee revenue for Ashford University is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction. University of the Rockies records revenue from technology fees as one-time start up fees charged to each new online student (other than military, scholarship students or certain corporate reimbursement students), and then recognizes that revenue ratably over the average expected enrollment of a student. The average expected enrollment of the student was estimated each quarter based upon historical duration of attendance and qualitative factors as deemed necessary. Other miscellaneous fees include fees for course content and textbooks and other services, such as commencements, and are recognized upon delivery of the goods or when the related service is performed. Workers Compensation The Company records a gross liability for estimated workers compensation claims, incurred but not yet reported, as of each balance sheet date. The Company also records the gross insurance recoverable due for individual claim amounts. This is recorded as an other asset and as an equal accrued liability. The stop-loss premium is determined annually, but invoiced and paid on a quarterly basis. The related insurance premiums are expensed ratably over the coverage period. Income Taxes The Company accounts for its income taxes using the asset-liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the bases used for financial reporting and income tax reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes are provided based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect at the time such temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will not realize those tax assets through future operations. The Company evaluates and accounts for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach. Recognition (step one) occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines the amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when the Company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained. Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date fair value of the award and is expensed over the vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company estimates the fair value of its performance stock units (“PSUs”) on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date under these models requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. The fair value of the Company's restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is based on the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company estimates award forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company's equity incentive plans require that stock option awards have an exercise price that equals or exceeds the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Stock-based compensation expense for stock-based awards is recorded in the consolidated statement of income (loss), net of estimated forfeitures, using the graded-vesting method over the requisite service periods of the respective stock awards. The requisite service period is generally the period over which an employee is required to provide service to the Company in exchange for the award. Instructional Costs and Services Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. These expenses include compensation for faculty and administrative personnel, curriculum and new program development costs, financial aid processing costs, technology license costs, bad debt expense and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students. Instructional costs and services also include an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs. Admissions Advisory and Marketing Admissions advisory and marketing costs include compensation of personnel engaged in marketing and recruitment, as well as costs associated with advertising media, purchasing leads and producing marketing materials. Such costs are generally affected by the cost of advertising media and leads, the efficiency of the Company's marketing and recruiting efforts, compensation for the Company's enrollment personnel and expenditures on advertising initiatives for new and existing academic programs. Admissions advisory and marketing costs also include an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs. Advertising costs, a subset of admissions advisory and marketing costs, consists primarily of marketing leads and other branding and promotional activities. These advertising activities are expensed as incurred, or the first time the advertising takes place, depending on the type of advertising activity. Advertising costs were $75.7 million , $83.0 million and $68.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. General and Administrative General and administrative expenses include compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, legal and compliance and other corporate functions. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees, travel and entertainment expenses and an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs. Legal Settlement Expense Legal settlement expense is primarily comprised of (i) the cost to settle a wage and hour dispute, (ii) charges related to the cost of resolution of the previously disclosed civil investigative demands and (iii) the estimate of amounts to resolve the previously disclosed investigative subpoenas. Restructuring and Impairment Charges Restructuring and impairment charges are primarily comprised of i) charges related to the write off of certain fixed assets and assets abandoned, ii) student transfer agreement costs relating to the closure of the Iowa residential campus, iii) severance costs related to headcount reductions made in connection with restructuring plans and iv) estimated lease losses related to facilities vacated or consolidated under restructuring plans. Income (Loss) Per Share Basic income per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the sum of (i) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and (ii) potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, if the effect is dilutive. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of incremental shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the stock options and upon the settlement of RSUs and PSUs. Segment Information The Company operates in one reportable segment as a single educational delivery operation using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of its students regardless of geography. The Company's chief operating decision maker, its CEO and President, manages the Company's operations as a whole, and no revenue, expense or operating income information is evaluated by the chief operating decision maker on any component level. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that, under GAAP, are excluded from net income. For the year ended December 31, 2017 , such items consisted of unrealized gains and losses on investments. The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive gain (loss) and the related tax effects for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): Unrealized gains (losses) on investments Year ended: Before-Tax Amount Tax Effect Net-of-Tax Amount December 31, 2017 $ 1 $ — $ 1 December 31, 2016 $ 157 $ (59 ) $ 98 December 31, 2015 $ 125 $ (49 ) $ 76 There were no reclassifications out of other comprehensive income, relating to the net realized gain on the sale of securities, during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, Revenue Recognition . ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The accounting guidance also requires additional disclosure regarding 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. The new standard provides companies with two implementation methods. Companies can choose to adopt the standard retrospectively and apply the guidance to each prior reporting period presented. Alternatively, a modified retrospective adoption methodology is permitted, whereby the cumulative impact of all prior periods would be recorded in retained earnings or other impacted balance sheet line items as of January 1, 2018, the date of adoption. Under this method, previously presented years’ financial positions and results would not be adjusted; however, certain disclosures are required to be presented for comparability to prior years’ results. The Company plans to adopt this standard using the modified retrospective method. Under the modified retrospective adoption method, the Company has elected to retroactively adjust only those contracts that do not meet the definition of a completed contract at the date of initial application. The Company expects this new guidance to impact the amount and timing of its revenue recognition as follows: • Deferral of revenue recognition for FTG contracts that include a material right under ASU 2014-09. This material right is deferred until the earlier of redemption or expiration under the new standard. • ASU 2014-09 does not allow for revenue to be recorded upon the receipt of cash, which may occur subsequent to a contract. As a result, revenue is accelerated as the expected value to be collected, net of any applicable price concessions and is recorded as the revenue is earned. • Under ASU 2014-09, once students are deemed to have a history of collection issues, all future revenues earned are subject to a price concession as the student has demonstrated that they will not pay the full tuition price based on past behavior. At the date of adoption of this new guidance, the Company expects to record a cumulative adjustment to its consolidated balance sheet, including an adjustment to retained earnings, to adjust for the aggregate impact of these revenue items, as calculated under the new guidance. The cumulative-effect adjustment decreases the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2018 by approximately $3.0 million . The Company finalized its evaluation of the impact on accounting policies, disclosures, and internal processes and controls the new standard has on its revenue stream. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the lease commencement date: (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The new lease guidance simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees will no longer be provided with a source of off-balance sheet financing. Public companies should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The Company continues to evaluate the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) : Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The update includes multiple provisions intended to simplify various aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. The update was aimed at reducing the cost and complexity of the accounting for share-based payments. ASU 2016-09 became effective for public companies |
