Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation Our consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, and include the accounts of Alteryx, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. On an ongoing basis, our management evaluates estimates and assumptions based on historical data and experience, as well as various other factors that our management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities. Concentration of Risk Financial instruments, which subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, and trade accounts receivable. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents and investments with three major financial institutions and a portion of such balances exceed or are not subject to Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insurance limits. We extend differing levels of credit to customers, do not require collateral deposits, and, when necessary, maintain reserves for potential credit losses based upon the expected collectability of accounts receivable. We manage credit risk related to our customers by following credit approval processes, establishing credit limits, performing periodic evaluations of credit worthiness and applying other credit risk monitoring procedures. Accounts receivable include amounts due from customers with principal operations primarily in the United States. Significant customers are those which represent 10% or more of our revenue for each period presented or total net accounts receivable at each balance sheet date presented. For all years presented, we had no customer which accounted for 10% or more of our accounts receivable balance or 10% or more of our revenue. Fair Value of Financial Instruments We utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. We determine fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2 Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active near the measurement date; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The fair value of our money market funds was determined based on “Level 1” inputs. The fair value of certificates of deposit, U.S. Treasury and agency bonds, and corporate bonds were determined based on “Level 2” inputs. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of certificates of deposit included observable market-based inputs for similar assets, which primarily include yield curves and time-to-maturity two-sided There were no marketable securities measured on a recurring basis in the “Level 3” category. We have not elected the fair value option as prescribed by ASC 825, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash We consider cash and cash equivalents to include short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present an insignificant risk of changes in the value, including investments that mature within three months from the date of original purchase. Amounts receivable from a credit card processor of approximately $0.7 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are considered cash equivalents because they were both short-term and highly liquid in nature and are typically converted to cash within three days of the sales transaction. Restricted cash as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to amounts required to be restricted as to use by our credit card processor. Investments in Marketable Securities Our investments include available-for-sale non-current available-for-sale At each balance sheet date, we assess available-for-sale Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, and Sales Reserves Our accounts receivable consist of amounts due from customers and are typically unsecured. Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and are non-interest The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated and established by assessing individual accounts receivable over a specific age and dollar value, and all other balances are pooled based on historical collection experience. Additions to the allowance are charged to general and administrative expenses. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance when an account balance is deemed uncollectible. We estimate a sales reserve based upon the historical adjustments made to customer billings. Such reserve is recorded as a reduction of revenue and deferred revenue. Sales Commissions and Cash-Based Performance Awards Our sales personnel and other commissioned employees are paid commissions. Commissions are considered direct and incremental costs to customer agreements and are generally paid in the period we receive payment from the customer under the associated customer agreement. These costs are recoverable from future revenue associated with the noncancelable customer agreements that gave rise to the commissions. Commissions are amortized to sales and marketing expense over the term the respective revenue is recognized. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we amortized to sales and marketing expense approximately $11.3 million, $9.4 million, and $6.4 million, respectively. Certain of our sales personnel and other commissioned employees are also eligible for annual cash-based performance awards based on overall performance of the individuals. Awards that are directly related to a specific customer agreement are amortized to sales and marketing expense over the term the respective revenue is recognized. If awards are not directly related to specific customer agreements, they are expensed to sales and marketing expense during the year they are earned commencing when the award is both probable of being earned and reasonably estimable, which generally has been in the latter part of the year. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we recognized sales and marketing expense related to these awards of approximately $0.2 million, $1.4 million, and $1.2 million, respectively. Royalties We pay royalties associated with licensed data sold with our platform and we recognize royalty expense to cost of revenue when incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we recognized royalty expense of approximately $9.4 million, $6.0 million, and $4.1 million, respectively. Under certain of our contractual arrangements we prepay royalties. Prepaid royalties were approximately $1.1 million and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheet. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or lease terms. Useful lives by asset category are as follows: Computer equipment 3 years Furniture and fixtures 3 to 7 years Leasehold improvement Shorter of useful life or lease term Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Upon the sale or retirement of property and equipment, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts, with any resulting gain or loss included in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Intangible Assets Intangible assets consist primarily of acquired developed technology. We determine the appropriate useful life of our intangible assets by performing an analysis of expected cash flows of the acquired assets. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives of two to eight years, using the straight-line method, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is determined by comparing the forecasted undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets to their carrying value. If the carrying value of the assets exceeds the forecasted undiscounted cash flows, then the assets are written down to their fair value. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending upon the nature of the assets. To date, no such impairments have been recorded. Business Combinations The results of businesses acquired in a business combination are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. We allocated the purchase price, including the fair value of any non-cash Contingent consideration payable in cash or a fixed dollar amount settleable in a variable number of shares is classified as a liability and recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in general and administrative expenses each period. Transaction costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred, and are included in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. We perform valuations of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and contingent consideration and allocate the purchase price to its respective assets and liabilities. Determining the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and contingent consideration requires us to use significant judgment and estimates including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, the probability of the achievement of specified milestones, and selection of comparable companies. We engage the assistance of valuation specialists in concluding on fair value measurements in connection with determining fair values of assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and contingent consideration in a business combination. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. We test goodwill for impairment in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other ASC 350 provides that an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then additional impairment testing is not required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first of a two-step The first step involves comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its book value, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired and no additional steps are necessary. If, however, the fair value of the reporting unit is less than book value, then the carrying amount of the goodwill is compared with its implied fair value. The estimate of implied fair value of goodwill may require valuations of certain internally generated and unrecognized intangible assets. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. We have one reporting unit and we test for goodwill impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each calendar year. At December 31, 2017, we determined our goodwill was not impaired as our fair value significantly exceeded the carrying value of our net assets. Revenue Recognition Our revenue is derived from the licensing of subscription, time-based software, sale of a hosted version of our software, data subscription services, and professional services, including training and consulting services. The time-based subscriptions include post-contract support, or PCS, which provides the customer the right to receive when-and-if-available Revenue is recognized when all four revenue recognition criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the product has been delivered or the service has been performed, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is probable or reasonably assured. Determining whether and when some of these criteria have been satisfied often involves exercising judgment and using estimates and assumptions that can have a significant impact on the timing and amount of revenue that is recognized. Invoiced amounts have been recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or revenue, depending on whether the revenue recognition criteria have been met. We account for revenue from software and related products and services in accordance with ASC 985-605, Software We also recognize revenue from the sale of a hosted version of our platform which is delivered pursuant to a hosting arrangement. Revenue from hosted services is recognized ratably beginning on the date the services are first made available to the customer and continuing through the end of the contractual service term. Hosted revenue arrangements are outside the scope of ASC 986-605 Our arrangements may include the resale of third-party syndicated data content pursuant to subscription arrangements, and professional services. Data subscriptions provide the customer the right to receive data that is updated periodically over the term of the license agreement, and revenue is recognized ratably over the contract period once the customer has access to the data. We recognize revenue from the resale of third-party syndicated data on a gross basis when (i) we are the primary obligor, (ii) we have latitude to establish the price charged, and (iii) we bear credit risk in the transaction. Revenue from professional services, which is comprised primarily of training and consulting services, is recognized on a time and materials basis as the services are provided. Multiple Element Arrangements We enter into multiple element revenue arrangements in which a customer may purchase a combination of software, data, and services. For multiple element arrangements that contain only software and software-related elements, revenue is allocated and deferred for the undelivered elements based on their VSOE. In situations where VSOE exists for all elements (delivered and undelivered), the revenue to be earned under the arrangement among the various elements is allocated based on their relative fair value. For arrangements where VSOE exists only for the undelivered elements, the full fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the difference between the total arrangement fee and the amount deferred for the undelivered items is recognized as revenue. If VSOE does not exist for an undelivered service element, the revenue from the entire arrangement is recognized over the service period, once all services have commenced. Changes in assumptions or judgments or changes to the elements in a software arrangement could cause a material increase or decrease in the amount of revenue recognized in a particular period. VSOE is determined for each element, or a group of elements sold on a combined basis, such as our software and PCS, based on historical stand-alone sales to third parties or the price to be charged when the product or service, or group of products or services, is available. In determining VSOE, a substantial majority of the selling prices for a product or service must fall within a reasonably narrow pricing range. Revenue related to the delivered products or services is recognized only if (i) the above revenue recognition criteria are met, (ii) any undelivered products or services are not essential to the functionality of the delivered products and services, (iii) payment for the delivered products or services is not contingent upon delivery of the remaining products or services, and (iv) there is an enforceable claim to receive the amount due in the event that the undelivered products or services are not delivered. For multiple-element arrangements that contain both software and non-software non-software non-software Judgment is required to determine VSOE or BESP. For VSOE, we consider multiple factors including, but not limited to, product types, geographies, sales channels, and customer sizes and, for BESP, we also consider market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs, gross margin objectives, and pricing practices. Pricing practices taken into consideration include historic contractually stated prices, volume discounts, where applicable, and price lists. BESP is generally used for offerings that are not typically sold on a stand-alone basis or when the selling prices for a product or service do not fall within a reasonably narrow pricing range. Revenue generated from sales arrangements through distributors is recognized in accordance with our revenue recognition policies as described above at the amount invoiced to the distributor. We recognize revenue at the net amount invoiced to the distributor, as opposed to the gross amount the distributor invoices their end customer, as we have determined that (i) we are not the primary obligor in these arrangements, (ii) we do not have latitude to establish the price charged to the end-customer, end-customer. Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue includes amounts collected or billed in excess of revenue recognized. Such amounts are recognized by us over the life of the contract upon meeting the revenue recognition criteria. Deferred revenue that will be recognized during the succeeding 12-month non-current Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue is accounted for in accordance with ASC 705, Cost of Sales and Services Out-of-pocket Research and Development Research and development expense consists primarily of employee-related costs, including salaries and bonuses, stock-based compensation expense, and employee benefits costs, depreciation of equipment used in research and development for our research and development employees, third-party contractor costs, and related allocated overhead costs. Product development expenses, other than software development costs qualifying for capitalization, are expensed as incurred. Software Development Costs Costs incurred in the development of new software products and enhancements to existing software products to be accounted for under software revenue recognition guidance are accounted for in accordance with ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased, or Marketed 985-20. We account for costs to develop or obtain internal-use 350-40, Internal-Use 350-40. internal-use, Internal-use internal-use Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. We incurred advertising costs of approximately $5.5 million, $5.0 million, and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Such costs primarily relate to our annual customer conferences, online and print advertising as well as sponsorship of public marketing events, and are reflected in sales and marketing expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Stock-Based Compensation We recognize stock-based compensation expense in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation The determination of the grant date fair value of stock-based awards is affected by the estimated fair value per share of our common stock as well as other highly subjective assumptions, including, but not limited to, the expected term of the stock-based awards, expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates, and expected dividends yields, which are estimated as follows: • Fair value per share of our common stock Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation. • Expected term • Expected volatility • Risk-free interest rate • Estimated dividend yield In addition, we are required to estimate at the time of grant the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those stock-based awards expected to vest. Our estimated forfeiture rate is based on our estimate of pre-vesting The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As a result, if factors change or we use different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. Foreign Currency Remeasurement and Transactions The functional currency of our wholly owned subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are remeasured using the current exchange rate for monetary accounts and historical exchange rates for nonmonetary accounts, with exchange differences on remeasurement included in other expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Our foreign subsidiaries that utilize foreign currency as their functional currency translate such currency into U.S. Dollars using (i) the exchange rate on the balance sheet dates for assets and liabilities, (ii) the average exchange rates prevailing during the period for revenues and expenses, and (iii) historical exchange rates for equity. Any translation adjustments resulting from this process are shown separately as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholder’s equity (deficit) in the consolidated balance sheets. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may result in transaction gains or losses at the end of the period and when the related receivable or payable is settled, which are recorded in other income (expense), net. Transaction losses were $0.3 million, $0.5 million, and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Income Taxes We apply the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes We also utilize the guidance in ASC 740 to account for uncertain tax positions. ASC 740 contains a two-step Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders In periods in which we have net income, we apply the two-class two-class Under the two-class Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders adjusts basic earnings per share for the potentially dilutive impact of stock options and convertible preferred stock. As we have reported losses for all periods, all potentially dilutive securities are antidilutive and accordingly, basic net loss per share equals diluted net loss per share. Variable Interest Entities In accordance with ASC 810, Consolidation As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we determined that two of our distributors were VIEs under the guidance of ASC 810, Consolidation Recent Accounting Pronouncements Under the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act, we meet the definition of an emerging growth company, or EGC. We have elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Restricted Cash In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory Income Taxes, In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases 2016-02, right-of-use right-of-use In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers 2015-14, 2014-09 |