| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly ‑owned subsidiaries. These consolidated financial statements and footnotes are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to the Company include ISG and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The complexity of the estimation process and issues related to the assumptions, risks and uncertainties inherent in the application of the proportional performance method of accounting affect the amounts of revenues, expenses, unbilled receivables and deferred revenue. Numerous internal and external factors can affect estimates. Estimates are also used for but not limited to: allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of furniture, fixtures and equipment and definite ‑lived intangible assets, depreciation expense, fair value assumptions in analyzing goodwill and intangible asset impairments, income taxes and deferred tax asset valuation, and the valuation of stock based compensation.
Business Combinations
We have acquired businesses critical to the Company’s long ‑term growth strategy. Results of operations for acquisitions are included in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the date of acquisition. Acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and the purchase price is allocated to the net assets acquired based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the net assets was recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. Final valuations of assets and liabilities are obtained and recorded within one year from the date of the acquisition.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents, including certain money market accounts. The Company principally maintains its cash in money market and bank deposit accounts in the United States of America which typically exceed applicable insurance limits. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash and cash equivalents which the Company has pledged to fulfill certain obligations and are not available for general corporate purposes.
Accounts and Unbilled Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Our trade receivables primarily consist of amounts due for services already performed via fixed fee or time and materials arrangements. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of clients to pay fees or for disputes that affect its ability to fully collect billed accounts receivable. The allowance for these risks is prepared by reviewing the status of all accounts and recording reserves on a specific identification method based on previous experiences and historical bad debts. However, our actual experience may vary significantly from these estimates. If the financial condition of our clients were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability or unwillingness to pay their invoices, we may need to record additional allowances or write ‑offs in future periods. To the extent the provision relates to a client’s inability or unwillingness to make required payments, the provision is recorded as bad debt expense, which is classified within selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
The provision for unbilled services is recorded as a reduction to revenues to the extent the provision relates to fee adjustments and other discretionary pricing adjustments.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets consist primarily of prepaid expenses for insurance, conferences and deposits for facilities, programs and promotion items.
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment, net
Furniture, fixtures and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed by applying the straight ‑line method over the estimated useful life of the assets, which ranges from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the useful life of the underlying asset or the lease term, which generally range from three to five years. Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and any associated gain or loss thereon is reflected in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Internal ‑Use Software and Website Development Costs
The Company capitalizes internal ‑use software and website development costs and records these amounts within furniture, fixtures and equipment. Accounting standards require that certain costs related to the development or purchase of internal ‑use software and systems as well as the costs incurred in the application development stage related to its website be capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software or system. They also require that costs related to the preliminary project stage, data conversion and post implementation/operation stage of an internal ‑use software development project be expensed as incurred.
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company capitalized $0.3 million, $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of costs associated with the system conversion and website development.
Goodwill
Our goodwill represents the excess of the cost of businesses acquired over the fair value of the net assets acquired at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but rather tested for impairment at least annually by applying a fair ‑value based test in accordance with accounting and disclosure requirements for goodwill and other indefinite ‑lived intangible assets. This test is performed by us during our fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if we believe impairment indicators are present.
We performed step one of a two ‑step impairment test on goodwill. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we must perform the second step of the impairment test whereby the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to its implied fair value. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss equal to the difference is recorded.
In performing the first step of the impairment test on goodwill, we determined the fair value of the reporting unit using both a market and income approach. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow model and is based on projections of future operations of the reporting unit as of the valuation date. The market approach is based on our stock price and provides a direct indication of fair value. Under the market approach, we determined the fair value of the reporting unit utilizing a relevant average of our common stock price for the October 31 measurement period, as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Market plus a 35% control premium based upon recent transactions of comparable companies. The discounted cash flow model assumed revenue growth rates of approximately 3% per year. We employed a discount rate of 13.5% to discount future excess cash flows. As a result of the step one test performed, the fair value of our reporting substantially unit exceeded the carrying value. Therefore, step two was not performed or required.
Long ‑Lived Assets
Long ‑lived assets, excluding goodwill and indefinite ‑lived intangibles, to be held and used by the Company are reviewed to determine whether any significant change in the long ‑lived asset’s physical condition, a change in industry conditions or a reduction in cash flows associated with the use of the long ‑lived asset. If these or other factors indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, the Company determines whether impairment has occurred through the use of an undiscounted cash flow analysis of the asset at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. If impairment has occurred, the Company recognizes a loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset. The fair value of the asset is measured using market prices or, in the absence of market prices, an estimate of discounted cash flows. Cash flows are generally discounted at an interest rate commensurate with our weighted average cost of capital for a similar asset. Assets are classified as held for sale when the Company has a plan for disposal of certain assets and those assets meet the held for sale criteria of accounting and disclosure requirement for the impairment or disposal of long ‑lived assets.
Debt Issuance Costs
Costs directly incurred in obtaining long ‑term financing, typically bank and attorney fees, are deferred and are amortized over the life of the related loan using the effective interest method. Deferred issuance costs are classified as other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included in interest expense and totaled $ 0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize our revenues for the sale of services and products when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered or delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and the collectability of the related revenue is reasonably assured.
We principally derive revenues from fees for services generated on a project ‑by ‑project basis. Prior to the commencement of a project, we reach agreement with the client on rates for services based upon the scope of the project, staffing requirements and the level of client involvement. It is our policy to obtain written agreements from new clients prior to performing services. In these agreements, the clients acknowledge that they will pay based upon the amount of time spent on the project or an agreed upon fee structure. Revenues for services rendered are recognized on a time and materials basis or on a fixed ‑fee or capped ‑fee basis in accordance with accounting and disclosure requirements for revenue recognition.
Fees for services that have been performed, but for which we have not invoiced the customers are recorded as unbilled receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Revenues from subscription contracts are recognized ratably over the life of the contract, which is generally one year. These fees are typically billed in advance and included in deferred revenue until recognized.
Revenues for time and materials contracts are recognized based on the number of hours worked by our advisors at an agreed upon rate per hour and are recognized in the period in which services are performed. Revenues for time and materials contracts are billed monthly, semimonthly or in accordance with the specific contractual terms of each project.
Revenues related to fixed ‑fee or capped ‑fee contracts are recognized into revenue as value is delivered to the customer. The pattern of revenue recognition for these contracts varies depending on the terms of the individual contracts, and may be recognized proportionally over the term of the contract or deferred until the end of the contract term and recognized when our obligations have been fulfilled with the customer. In instances where substantive acceptance provisions are specified in customer contracts, revenues are deferred until all acceptance criteria have been met. The pattern of revenue recognition for contracts where revenues are recognized proportionally over the term of the contact is based on the proportional performance method of accounting using the ratio of labor hours incurred to estimated total labor hours, which we consider to be the best available indicator of the pattern and timing in which contract obligations are fulfilled. This percentage is multiplied by the contracted dollar amount of the project to determine the amount of revenue to recognize in an accounting period. The contracted amount used in this calculation typically excludes the amount the client pays for reimbursable expenses. There are situations where the number of hours to complete projects may exceed our original estimate as a result of an increase in project scope or unforeseen events. On a regular basis, we review the hours incurred and estimated total labor hours to complete. The results of any revisions in these estimates are reflected in the period in which they become known. We believe we have demonstrated a history of successfully estimating the total labor hours to complete a project.
The agreements entered into in connection with a project, whether on a time and materials basis or fixed ‑fee or capped ‑fee basis, typically allow our clients to terminate early due to breach or for convenience with 30 days’ notice. In the event of termination, the client is contractually required to pay for all time, materials and expenses incurred by us through the effective date of the termination. In addition, from time to time, we enter into agreements with clients that limit our right to enter into business relationships with specific competitors of that client for a specific time period. These provisions typically prohibit us from performing a defined range of services that it might otherwise be willing to perform for potential clients. These provisions are generally limited to six to twelve months and usually apply only to specific employees or the specific project team.
Reimbursable Expenditures
Amounts billed to customers for reimbursable expenditures are included in revenues and the associated costs incurred by the Company are included in direct costs and expenses for advisors in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Non ‑reimbursable amounts are expensed as incurred. Reimbursable expenditures totaled $10.1 million, $9.9 million and $10.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Direct Costs and Expenses for Advisors
Direct costs and expenses for advisors include payroll expenses and advisory fees directly associated with the generation of revenues and other program expenses. Direct costs and expenses for advisors are expensed as incurred.
Direct costs and expenses for advisors also include expense accruals for discretionary bonus payments. Bonus accrual levels are adjusted throughout the year based on actual and projected individual and Company performance.
Stock ‑Based Compensation
We grant restricted stock with a fair value that is determined based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock generally vests over a four -year period for employees and a three -year period for directors. Stock ‑based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the applicable service period.
We follow the provisions of accounting and disclosures requirement for share-based payments, requiring the measurement and recognition of all share ‑based compensation under the fair value method.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash investments with high quality financial institutions. The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and credit history and generally does not require collateral.
Treasury Stock
The Company makes treasury stock purchases in the open market pursuant to the share repurchase program, which was approved by the Board of Directors on May 6, 2014.
Treasury stock is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at cost as a reduction of stockholders’ equity. Shares are released from Treasury at original cost on a first ‑in, first ‑out basis, with any gain on the sale reflected as an adjustment to additional paid ‑in capital. Losses are reflected as an adjustment to additional paid ‑in capital to the extent of gains previously recognized, otherwise as an adjustment to retained earnings.
Foreign Currency Translation
The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the end of the reporting period. Revenue and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the reporting period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in the accompanying statement of comprehensive income and accompanying statement of stockholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss .
The functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the respective local currency. The Company has contracts denominated in foreign currencies and therefore, a portion of the Company’s revenues are subject to foreign currency risks. Transactional currency gains and losses that arise from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies of our operations are recorded in Foreign Currency Transaction Loss in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, other current liabilities, and accrued interest approximate fair value.
Fair value measurements were applied with respect to our nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis, which would consist of measurements primarily to goodwill, intangible assets and other long ‑lived assets, and assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination.
Fair value is the price that would be received upon a sale of an asset or paid upon a transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). Market participants can use market data or assumptions in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market ‑corroborated, or generally unobservable. The use of unobservable inputs is intended to allow for fair value determinations in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. Under the fair ‑value hierarchy:
·
Level 1 measurements include unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market;
·
Level 2 measurements include quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that have been adjusted for items such as effects of restrictions for transferability and those that are not quoted but are observable through corroboration with observable market data, including quoted market prices for similar assets; and
·
Level 3 measurements include those that are unobservable and of a highly subjective measure.
During 2015, there were no transfers of our financial assets between Level 1 and Level 2 measures. Our financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated:
Basis of Fair Value Measurements
12/31/2015
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents
$
$
—
$
—
$
Total
$
$
—
$
—
$
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration (1)
$
—
$
—
$
$
Long-term debt, including current portion
—
—
$
—
$
—
$
$
Basis of Fair Value Measurements
12/31/2014
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
Cash equivalents
$
$
—
$
—
$
Total
$
$
—
$
—
$
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration (1)
$
—
$
—
$
$
Long-term debt, including current portion
—
—
$
—
$
—
$
$
(1)
The short-term portion is included in “accrued expenses.” The long-term portion is included in “Other liabilities.”
The fair value measurement of this contingent consideration is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and reflects the Company’s own assumptions in measuring fair values using the income approach. In developing these estimates, the Company considered certain performance projections, historical results, and industry trends. This amount was estimated through a valuation model that incorporated probability-weighted assumptions related to the achievement of these milestones and the likelihood of the Company making payments. These cash outflow projections have then been discounted using a rate ranging from 2.3% to 14.5% .
The fair value of debt is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of debt have been estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the Company's incremental borrowing rate for similar borrowing arrangements. The incremental borrowing rate used to discount future cash flows ranged from 2.46% to 2.74% . The Company also considered recent transactions of peer group companies for similar instruments with comparable terms and maturities as well as an analysis of current market conditions.
The following table represents the change in the contingent consideration liability during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
December 31,
2015
2014
Beginning Balance
$
$
Payment of contingent consideration
Acquisition
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
Accretion of contingent consideration
Unrealized loss related to currency translation
Ending Balance
$
$
Dividend
On December 2, 2014 the Board of Directors authorized a special dividend of $0.14 per share on the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. This cash dividend of $5.2 million was paid on January 28, 2015 to shareholders of record as of January 15, 2015. Prior to this special dividend we had not paid any dividends on our common stock.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method to account for income taxes, including recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement amounts and their respective tax basis. We review our deferred tax assets for recovery. A valuation allowance is established when we believe that it is more likely than not that some portion of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in the valuation allowance from period to period are included in our tax provision in the period of change.
For uncertain tax positions, we use a prescribed model for assessing the financial recognition and measurement of all tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its tax returns. The guidance provides clarification on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition. Our provision for income taxes also includes the impact of provisions established for uncertain income tax positions, as well as the related interest.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue. Under the guidance, revenue is recognized when a company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for public entities with annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of the new revenue guidance by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption being permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt the guidance. We are currently assessing the effects this guidance may have on our consolidated financial statements, as well as the method of transition that we will use in adopting the new standard.
In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance require the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements as a direct reduction of related debt liabilities with amortization of debt issuance costs reported as interest expense. Under current U.S. GAAP standards, debt issuance costs are reported as deferred charges (i.e., as an asset). In August 2015, the FASB clarified the guidance that debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements could continue to be presented as an asset and be subsequently amortized over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the arrangement. This guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 and is to be applied retrospectively upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period for financial statements that have not been previously issued. At December 31, 2015, the Company had debt issuance costs of $0.6 million.
In September 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance, which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period of resolution, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted for any interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes on the balance sheet. The update requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent. The current guidance that deferred tax assets and liabilities of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not impacted by this update. The provisions of the new standard are effective beginning January 1, 2017, for annual and interim periods and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our results of operations, but will result in a reclassification of current net deferred tax on our balance sheet in future years. Adoption of the guidance as of December 31, 2015 would result in a reclassification of current net deferred tax of $2.1 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. |
