Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of the Business —The “Company” or “AtriCure” consists of AtriCure, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company is a leading innovator in surgical treatments and therapies for atrial fibrillation (Afib), left atrial appendage (LAA) management and post-operative pain management, and sells its products to medical centers globally through its direct sales force and distributors. Principles of Consolidation— The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of AtriCure, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash and Cash Equivalents— The Company considers highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include demand deposits and money market funds with financial institutions. Investments— The Company invests primarily in government and agency obligations, corporate bonds, commercial paper and asset-backed securities and classifies all investments as available-for-sale. Investments maturing in less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Investments are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses are recognized using the specific identification method when securities are sold and are included in interest income. Revenue Recognition — Revenue is generated primarily from the sale of medical devices. Sales of devices are categorized based on the type of product as follows: open ablation, minimally invasive ablation, pain management and appendage management. The Company recognizes revenue when control of promised devices is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those devices. Revenue is recognized at a point in time upon shipment or delivery of products. Shipping and handling activities performed after control transfers to customers are considered activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the products. Revenue includes shipping and handling revenue of $1,860, $1,496 and $1,354 in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Products are sold primarily through a direct sales force and through distributors in certain international markets. Terms of sale are generally consistent for both end-users and distributors, except that payment terms are generally net 30 days for end-users and net 60 days for distributors, with some exceptions. The Company does not maintain any post-shipping obligations to customers; no installation, calibration or testing of products is performed subsequent to shipment in order to render products operational. The Company expects to be entitled to the total consideration for the products ordered as product pricing is fixed, and there are no adjustments for a significant financing component as payment terms fall within one year. The Company excludes taxes assessed by governmental authorities on revenue-producing transactions from the measurement of the transaction price. Costs associated with product sales include commission expense for product sales and royalties paid for sales of certain products. As revenue from product sales are satisfied at a point in time, commission expense and royalties are incurred at that point in time rather than over time. Commissions are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, while royalties are included in cost of revenue. Significant judgments and estimates involved in the Company’s recognition of revenue include the estimation of a provision for returns. In the normal course of business, the Company is not obligated to accept product returns unless a product is defective as manufactured. The Company does not provide customers with the right to a refund. Sales Returns and Allowances — The Company maintains a provision for potential returns of defective or damaged products, and invoice adjustments. The Company adjusts the provision using the expected value method based on historical experience. Increases to the provision reduce revenue, and the provision is included in accrued liabilities. Allowance for Credit Losses on Accounts Receivable —The Company evaluates expected credit losses on accounts receivable, considering historical credit losses, current customer-specific information and other relevant factors when determining the allowance. An increase to the allowance for credit losses results in a corresponding increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company charges off uncollectible receivables against the allowance when all attempts to collect the receivable have failed. The Company’s history of write-offs has not been significant. Recoveries are recognized when received as a reduction to the allowance for credit losses by decreasing bad debt expense. The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the allowance for estimated accounts receivable credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021: Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 Beginning balance - January 1 $ 230 $ 1,096 $ 1,096 Provision for expected credit losses 270 190 65 Recovery — (1,056) (65) Ending balance - December 31 $ 500 $ 230 $ 1,096 Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers — During 2023, 2022 and 2021, 8.8%, 9.7% and 10.5% of the Company’s total revenue was derived from its top ten customers. During 2023, 2022 and 2021 no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, 11.3% and 11.7% of the Company’s total accounts receivable were derived from its top ten customers. No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Inventories— Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value based on the first-in, first-out cost method (FIFO) and consist of raw materials, work in process and finished goods. The Company’s industry is characterized by rapid product development and frequent new product introductions. Uncertain timing of regulatory approvals, variability in product launch strategies and variation in product sales all impact inventory reserves for excess, obsolete and expired products. An increase to inventory reserves results in a corresponding increase in cost of revenue. Inventories are written off against the reserve when they are physically disposed. Property and Equipment— Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life. The estimated useful life of leasehold improvements is the shorter of the estimated life or the lease term. The estimated useful lives of buildings is 15 to 20 years, while furniture, fixtures, computers and office equipment are depreciated from three Intangible Assets— Technology intangible assets with determinable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated fifteen year period benefited. Patent intangible assets with determinable useful lives are amortized over the estimated useful life of five years in a pattern reflecting the estimated economic benefit of the asset to the Company. Amortization of technology intangible assets is recorded in research and development expense, while amortization of patent intangible assets is recorded in cost of revenue. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment at least annually or more often if impairment indicators are present using its best estimates based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections. Goodwill— Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in business combinations. The Company’s goodwill is accounted for in a single reporting unit representing the Company as a whole. The Company performs impairment testing annually on October 1 or more often if impairment indicators are present. Long-lived Assets— The Company reviews property and equipment and intangible assets, excluding goodwill, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When such an event occurs, management determines whether there has been impairment by comparing the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows to the related asset's carrying value. Leases —The Company leases office, manufacturing and warehouse facilities and automobiles under leases that qualify as either financing or operating leases, as determined at the inception of the lease arrangement. Lease assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make payments under the lease. Lease assets and liabilities are measured and recorded at the commencement date based on the present value of payments over the lease term. Lease assets and liabilities include lease incentives and options to extend or terminate when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise that option. The Company uses the implicit rate when readily determinable; however, as most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company generally uses its incremental borrowing rate. The Company also applies the short-term lease recognition exemption, recognizing lease payments in profit or loss, for lease terms of 12 months or less at commencement and with no option to extend the lease whose exercise is reasonably certain. The Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. Additionally, the portfolio approach is applied for operating leases based on the terms of the underlying leases. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (ROU) assets and operating lease liabilities, while finance leases are included in property and equipment and finance lease liabilities. The short-term portions of lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and current maturities of debt and leases. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See Note 9 – Leases for further discussion. Other Income (Expense)— Other income (expense) consists primarily of foreign currency transaction gains and losses generated by settlements of intercompany balances denominated in Euros and customer invoices transacted in British Pounds, Australian Dollars and Canadian Dollars. Income Taxes —Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company’s estimate of the valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets requires significant estimates and judgments about future operating results. Deferred income tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances if, based on the consideration of all available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that a deferred income tax asset will not be realized. Significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The Company evaluates deferred income tax assets on an annual basis to determine if valuation allowances are required by considering all available evidence. Deferred income tax assets are realized by having sufficient future taxable income to allow the related tax benefits to reduce taxes otherwise payable. The sources of taxable income that may be available to realize the benefit of deferred income tax assets are future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryforward years and tax planning strategies that are both prudent and feasible. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the existence of cumulative losses in recent years is significant objectively-verifiable negative evidence that must be overcome by objectively-verifiable positive evidence to avoid the need for a valuation allowance. The Company's valuation allowance offsets substantially all net deferred income tax assets as it is more-likely-than-not that the benefit of the deferred income tax assets will not be recognized in future periods. The Company has not reclassified income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act within accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income to retained earnings due to its full valuation allowance. Earnings Per Share— Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, exercise of stock options as well as shares issuable under the Company's employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). Year Ended December 31, 2023 2022 2021 Net (loss) income available to common stockholders $ (30,438) $ (46,466) $ 50,199 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 46,309 45,740 45,066 Effect of dilutive securities — — 973 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 46,309 45,740 46,039 Basic net (loss) income per common share $ (0.66) $ (1.02) $ 1.11 Diluted net (loss) income per common share $ (0.66) $ (1.02) $ 1.09 For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the number of shares calculated for basic net loss per share is also used for the diluted net loss per share calculation, and net loss per share excludes the effect of 1,668 and 1,292 shares because the effect would be anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted earnings per share in the year ended December 31, 2021 excludes 404 shares because the effect would be anti-dilutive. Research and Development Costs — Research and development costs include compensation and other internal and external costs associated with the development and research of new and existing products or concepts, preclinical studies, clinical trials and studies, and related regulatory activities, as well as amortization of technology assets. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Clinical trial costs and other development costs incurred by third parties are expensed as contracted work is performed or over the expected service period. Advertising Costs — The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense was $1,695, $1,233 and $907 during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Share-Based Compensation— The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance share awards (PSAs) and stock purchases related to an employee stock purchase plan, based on estimated fair values. The value of the portion of an award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the service period. Prior to January 1, 2023, the Company estimated forfeitures at the time of grant and revised them, as necessary, in subsequent periods as actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company's policy was amended to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating at the time of grant, and the effect on income from continuing operations and retained earnings is not significant. The Company estimates the fair value of time-based options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (Black-Scholes model). The Company’s determination of the fair value is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as several subjective assumptions, such as the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units based upon the grant date closing market price of the Company’s common stock. The Company estimates the fair value of PSAs with a performance condition based on the closing stock price on the date of grant assuming the performance target will be achieved and may adjust expense over the performance period based on changes to estimates of performance target achievement. If such targets are not met or service is not rendered for the requisite service period, no compensation cost is recognized, and any recognized compensation cost in prior periods will be reversed. For PSAs with a market condition, a Monte Carlo simulation is performed to estimate the fair value on the date of grant, and compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period as the employee renders service, even if the market condition is not satisfied. The Company’s determination of the fair value is affected by the Company and market index stock performance, as defined by the award agreement, at the beginning of the service period and grant date; the expected volatility of the Company and market index stock performance over the performance period and the correlation coefficient of the daily returns for the Company and market index over the performance period. The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) covering substantially all U.S. employees of the Company. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased at a discount. The Company estimates the number of shares to be purchased under the ESPP at the beginning of each purchase period based upon the fair value of the stock at the beginning of the purchase period using the Black-Scholes model and records estimated compensation expense during the purchase period. Expense is adjusted at the time of stock purchase. Use of Estimates— The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Estimates are based on historical experience, where applicable, and other assumptions believed to be reasonable by management. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Segments— The Company evaluates reporting segments in accordance with FASB ASC 280, “Segment Reporting”. The Company develops, manufactures and sells devices designed primarily for the surgical ablation of cardiac tissue, systems designed for the exclusion of the left atrial appendage and devices designed to block pain by temporarily ablating peripheral nerves. These devices are developed and marketed to a broad base of medical centers globally. Management considers all such sales to be part of a single operating segment. The chief operating decision maker for the Company is the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied only by information about revenue by product type and geographic area, for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it has a single operating segment. The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the United States, except for $3,432 as of December 31, 2023 and $1,616 as of December 31, 2022 located primarily in Europe. Fair Value Disclosures —The Company classifies cash investments in U.S. government and agency obligations, accounts receivable, other current assets, and accounts payable as Level 1. The carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities approximate their fair value due to their relatively short-term nature. Cash equivalents and investments in corporate bonds, commercial paper and asset-backed securities are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of fixed term debt is estimated by calculating the net present value of future debt payments at current market interest rates and is classified as Level 2. The book value of the Company’s fixed term debt approximates its fair value because the interest rate varies with market rates. Significant unobservable inputs with respect to the fair value measurements of the Level 3 contingent consideration liabilities are developed using Company data. See Note 2 – Fair Value for further information on fair value measurements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements —In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”. This guidance provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment and modifies certain reportable segment disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of this guidance; however, adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. This guidance requires disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a specified quantitative threshold. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of this guidance; however, adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. |