Accounting Policies | Accounting Policies Avanos Medical, Inc. is a medical technology company focused on delivering clinically superior medical device solutions that will help patients get back to the things that matter. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, we are committed to addressing some of today’s most important healthcare needs, including providing a vital lifeline for nutrition to patients from hospital to home, and reducing the use of opioids while helping patients move from surgery to recovery. We develop, manufacture and market our recognized brands globally and hold leading market positions in multiple categories across our portfolio. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “Avanos,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Avanos Medical, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include our net assets, results of our operations and cash flows. All intercompany transactions and accounts within our consolidated businesses have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Use of Estimates Preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, certain amounts included in discontinued operations, certain amounts included in assets and liabilities held for sale, distributor rebate accruals, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and long-lived assets, loss contingencies, and deferred tax assets and potential income tax assessments. Our estimates are subject to uncertainties associated with the recent COVID-19 pandemic which has caused volatility and adverse effects in global markets. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and the effect of the change could be material to our financial statements. Changes in these estimates are recorded when known. Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents are short-term investments with an original maturity date of three months or less. We maintain cash balances and short-term investments in excess of insurable limits in a diversified group of major banks that are selected and monitored based on ratings by the major rating agencies in accordance with our treasury policy. Inventories and Distribution Costs U.S. and non-U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost, using the First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”) method, or market. Distribution costs are classified as cost of products sold. Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily 40 years. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, primarily ranging from 16 to 20 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the assets’ estimated useful lives, or the remaining lease term, whichever is shorter. Purchases of computer software, including external costs and certain internal costs (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees) directly associated with developing significant computer software applications for internal use, are capitalized. Computer software costs are amortized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally three Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed, and when warranted, changes are made to them. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of an asset group, which are identifiable and largely independent of the cash flows of other asset groups, are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Measurement of an impairment loss would be based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using discounted cash flows or independent appraisals, as appropriate. When property is sold or retired, the cost of the property and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet and any gain or loss on the transaction is included in income. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets We test goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances more likely than not indicate that the fair value of the reporting unit may be below its carrying value. We operate as a single reportable operating segment with one reporting unit. The fair value of our reporting unit was estimated using a combination of income (discounted cash flow analysis) and market approaches. The income approach is dependent upon several assumptions regarding future periods such as sales growth and a terminal growth rate. A weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) was used to discount future estimated cash flows to their present values. The WACC was based on externally observable data considering market participants’ cost of equity and debt, optimal capital structure and risk factors specific to us. The market approach estimates the value of our company using a market capitalization methodology. We completed our annual goodwill impairment test as of July 1, 2023, and determined that the fair value of our reporting unit exceeds the net carrying amount. There can be no assurance that the assumptions and estimates made for purposes of the annual goodwill impairment test will prove to be accurate. Volatility in the equity and debt markets, or increases in interest rates, could result in a higher discount rate. Changes in sales volumes, selling prices and costs of goods sold, and increases in interest rates could cause changes in our forecasted cash flows. Unfavorable changes in any of the factors described above, as well as a decline in our stock price, could result in a goodwill impairment charge in the future. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Estimated useful lives range from 7 to 30 years for trademarks, 7 to 17 years for patents and acquired technologies, and 2 to 16 years for other intangible assets. An impairment loss would be indicated when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the fair value (based on discounted future cash flows) and the carrying amount of the asset. Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Sales revenue is recognized at the time of product shipment or delivery of our products to unaffiliated customers, depending on shipping terms. Accordingly, control of the products transfers to the customer in accordance with the transaction’s shipping terms. Sales revenue is recognized for the amount of consideration that we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for our products. Sales are reported net of returns, rebates, incentives, each as described below, and freight allowed. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on our revenue-producing activities with customers, such as sales taxes and value-added taxes, are excluded from net sales. We provide medical products to distributors or end-user customers under supply agreements under which customers may place purchase orders for a variety of our products at specified pricing over a specified term, usually three years. While our sales and marketing efforts are directed to hospitals or other healthcare providers, our products are generally sold through third-party distribution channels. Under our contracts with customers, our performance obligations are normally limited to shipment or delivery of products to a customer upon receipt of a purchase order. We bill our customers, depending on shipping terms, upon shipment or delivery of the products to the customer. Amounts billed are typically due within 30 days, with a 1% discount allowed for distributors if payments are made within 15 days. We estimate cash discounts based on historical experience and record the cash discounts as an allowance to trade receivables. The allowance for this cash discount is disclosed in “Supplemental Balance Sheet Information” under “Accounts Receivable” in Note 5. The differences between estimated and actual cash discounts are generally not material. We allow for returns within a specified period of time, based on our standard terms and conditions, following customers’ receipt of the goods and estimate a liability for returns based on historical experience. The liability for estimated returns was $0.1 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The differences between estimated and actual returns are generally not material. Our contracts provide for forms of variable consideration including rebates, incentives and pricing tiers, each of which are described below: Distributor Rebates - Sales to distributors, on a global basis, represents approximately 49% of our consolidated net sales. We provide for rebates on gross sales to distributors for differences between list prices and average end-user customer prices. Rebate rates vary widely (typically between 10% and 35%) between our product families. A liability for distributor rebates is estimated based on a moving average of rebate rates, specific customer trends, contractual provisions, historical experience and other relevant factors. The liability for estimated rebates was $10.4 million and $14.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Differences between our estimated and actual costs are generally not material and recognized in earnings in the period in the period such differences are determined. Incentives - Globally, approximately 28% of our consolidated net sales are contracted through group purchasing organizations (“GPOs”). Incentives include fees paid to GPOs or small percentage rebates to distributors in conjunction with the sales volume of our products to end-user customers. A liability for incentives is estimated based on average incentive rates over a period of time. The liability for estimated incentives was $7.3 million and $12.4 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Differences between estimated and actual incentives are generally not material and recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Pricing tiers - In certain of our contracts, pricing is dependent on volumes purchased, with lower pricing given upon meeting certain established purchase volumes. Customers are placed in a pricing tier based on expected purchase volume, which is developed primarily using the customer’s purchase history. Depending on the customer’s purchases, we may move the customer up or down a tier, upon meeting or failing to meet certain established purchase volumes. Pricing in the new tier is applied to purchase orders prospectively. There are no retrospective adjustments based on movements between pricing tiers. We had one customer who individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Bad debt expense was $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and a net benefit of $0.5 million for the year end December 31, 2021. Foreign Currency Translation The income statements of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at rates of exchange in effect each month. The balance sheets of these operations are translated at period-end exchange rates, and the differences from historical exchange rates are reflected as unrealized translation adjustments in other comprehensive income. Research and Development Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for personnel, product trial costs, outside laboratory and license fees, the costs of laboratory equipment and facilities and asset write-offs for equipment that does not reach success in product manufacturing certifications. Stock-Based Compensation We have a stock-based Equity Participation Plan, a Long Term Incentive Plan and an Outside Directors’ Compensation Plan that provide for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock (and in certain limited cases, unrestricted stock), restricted stock units, performance units and cash awards to eligible employees (including officers who are employees), directors, advisors and consultants. Stock-based compensation is initially measured at the fair value of the awards on the grant date and is recognized in the financial statements over the period the employees are required to provide services in exchange for the awards, with forfeitures accounted for as they occur. The fair value of option awards is measured on the grant date using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of time-based and some performance-based restricted share awards is based on the Avanos stock price at the grant date and the assessed probability of meeting future performance targets. For performance-based restricted share units for which vesting is conditioned upon achieving a measure of total shareholder return, fair value is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation. Generally, new shares are issued to satisfy vested restricted stock units and exercises of stock options. See Note 13, “Stock-Based Compensation.” Income Taxes We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method of accounting, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Under this method, changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in income in the period such changes are enacted. The provision for federal, state, and foreign income taxes is calculated on income before income taxes based on current tax law and includes the cumulative effect of any changes in tax rates from those used previously in determining deferred tax assets and liabilities. Such provision differs from the amounts currently payable because certain items of income and expense are recognized in different reporting periods for financial reporting purposes than for income tax purposes. Recording the provision for income taxes requires management to make significant judgments and estimates for matters whose ultimate resolution may not become known until the final resolution of an examination by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state and foreign agencies. If it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. Recording liabilities for uncertain tax positions involves judgment in evaluating our tax positions and developing the best estimate of the taxes ultimately expected to be paid. We include any related tax penalties and interest in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2023, we have accumulated undistributed earnings generated by our foreign subsidiaries of approximately $33.6 million. Certain earnings were previously subject to tax due to the one-time transition tax of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Any additional impacts due with respect to the previously-taxed earnings, if repatriated, would generally be limited to foreign withholding tax, U.S. state income tax and the tax effect of certain foreign exchange adjustments. We intend, however, to indefinitely reinvest these earnings and expect future U.S. cash generation to be sufficient to meet U.S. cash needs. At this time, the determination of deferred tax liabilities on the amount of financial reporting over tax basis is not practicable. Employee Defined Benefit Plans We recognize the funded status of our defined benefit obligation as an asset or a liability on our balance sheet. Actuarial gains or losses are a component of our other comprehensive income, which is then included in our accumulated other comprehensive income. Pension expenses are recognized over the period in which the employee renders service and becomes eligible to receive benefits. We make assumptions (including the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets) in computing the pension expense and obligations. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Effective January 1, 2023, we adopted ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations: Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This ASU pertains to acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination and addresses diversity in practice and inconsistency related to recognition of an acquired contract liability and payment terms and their effect on subsequent revenue recognized by the acquirer. Adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes: Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU pertains to disaggregation of income tax disclosures and enhances annual income tax disclosures to address investor requests for more information about the tax risks and opportunities present in an entity’s worldwide operations. The two primary enhancements disaggregate existing income tax disclosures related to the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid, and requires entities to disclose a tabular reconciliation of expected tax and reported tax on income from continuing operations using both percentages and amounts, broken out into specific categories with certain reconciling items at or above 5% of the expected tax further broken out by nature and/or jurisdiction. Additionally, this ASU requires disclosure around income taxes paid (net of refunds received) broken out between federal, state, local and foreign, and income taxes paid (net of refunds received) to an individual jurisdiction when greater than 5% of total income taxes paid. This ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting: Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU enhances segment reporting under Topic 280 by expanding the breadth and frequency of segment disclosures, and aims to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. In addition, the amendments enhance interim disclosure requirements, clarify circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, provide new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and contain other disclosure requirements. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In August 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-05, Business Combinations: Joint Venture Formations. This ASU is intended to address diversity in practice regarding accounting and provide decision-useful information related to contributions made to joint ventures and requires entities that qualify as either a joint venture or a corporate joint venture to apply a new basis of accounting upon the formation of the joint venture. Specifically, the ASU provides that a joint venture or a corporate joint venture must initially measure its assets and liabilities at fair value on the formation date. This ASU will be effective for all newly-formed joint venture entities with a formation date on or after January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. Joint ventures formed prior to the adoption date may elect to apply the new guidance retrospectively back to their original formation date. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. |