| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the operations and accounts of Ceridian and all subsidiaries, as well as any variable interest entity (“VIE”) in which we have controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated from our consolidated financial statements. We consolidate the grantor trusts that hold funds provided by our payroll and tax filing customers pending remittance to employees of those customers or tax authorities in the United States and Canada, although Ceridian does not own the grantor trusts. Under consolidation accounting, the enterprise with a controlling financial interest consolidates a VIE. A controlling financial interest in an entity is determined through analysis that identifies the primary beneficiary which has (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In addition, ongoing reassessments must be performed to confirm whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The grantor trusts are VIEs, and we are deemed to have a controlling financial interest as the primary beneficiary. Please refer to Note 6, “Customer Trust Funds,” for further information on our accounting for these funds. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and our reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates that could significantly affect our results of operations or financial condition include the assignment of fair values to goodwill and other intangible assets and testing for impairment; the testing of impairment of long-lived assets; the determination of our liability for pensions and postretirement benefits; the determination of fair value of equity awards granted; and the resolution of tax matters and legal contingencies. Further discussion on these estimates can be found in related disclosures elsewhere in our notes to the consolidated financial statements. Cash and Equivalents As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, cash and equivalents were comprised of cash held in bank accounts and investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Concentrations Cash deposits of client and corporate funds are maintained primarily in large credit-worthy financial institutions in the countries in which we operate. These deposits may exceed the amount of any deposit insurance that may be available through government agencies. All deliverable securities are held in custody with large credit-worthy financial institutions, which bear the risk of custodial loss. Non-deliverable securities, primarily money market securities, are held in custody by large, credit-worthy broker-dealers and financial institutions. Trade and Other Receivables, Net Trade and other receivables balances are presented on the consolidated balance sheets net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $3.1 million and $2.4 million and the reserve for sales adjustments of $4.4 million and $3.7 million as of December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively. We experience credit losses on accounts receivable and, accordingly, must make estimates related to the ultimate collection of the receivables. Specifically, management analyzes accounts receivable, historical bad debt experience, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate the reserve for sales adjustment based on historical sales adjustment experience. We write off accounts receivable when we determine that the accounts are uncollectible, generally upon customer bankruptcy or the customer’s nonresponse to continued collection efforts. Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net Our property, plant, and equipment assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the remaining lease term or estimated useful life of the related assets, which are generally as follows:
Buildings
40 years
Building improvements
5 years
Machinery and equipment
4-6 years
Computer equipment
3-4 years Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. We capitalized interest of $0.5 million and $0.8 million in property, plant, and equipment, net during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Property, plant, and equipment assets are assessed for impairment as described under the heading “ Impairment of Long-Lived Assets ” below. Assignment of Fair Values Upon Acquisition of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets In the event of a business combination where we are the acquiring party, we are required to assign fair values to all identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, including intangible assets, such as customer lists, identifiable intangible trade names, technology, and non-compete agreements. We are also required to determine the useful life for definite-lived identifiable intangible assets acquired. These determinations require significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions; and, when appropriate, we utilize the assistance of third-party valuation consultants. The remainder of the purchase price of the acquired business not assigned to identifiable assets or liabilities is then recorded as goodwill. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill, which represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired, is assigned to reporting units based on the benefits derived from the acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized against earnings, but instead are subject to impairment review on at least an annual basis. We perform our annual assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible balances as of October 1 of each year. We assess goodwill impairment risk by comparing the fair value of the net assets with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. We determine the fair value of the reporting unit based on our market capitalization at the testing date. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, goodwill may be impaired. Intangible assets represent amounts assigned to specifically identifiable intangible assets at the time of an acquisition. Definite-lived assets are amortized on a straight-line basis generally over the following periods:
Customer lists and relationships
5-15 years
Trade name
3-5 years
Technology
3-4 years Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist of trade names, are tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if certain events or circumstances occur that could indicate impairment. When evaluating whether the indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, we first perform a qualitative review. If the qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying amount, a quantitative test is applied and, the carrying amount is compared to its estimated fair value. The estimate of fair value is based on a relief from royalty method which calculates the cost savings associated with owning rather than licensing the trade name. An estimated royalty rate is applied to forecasted revenue and the resulting cash flows are discounted. Definite-lived assets are assessed for impairment as described under the heading “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” below. Internally Developed Software Costs In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, we capitalize costs associated with software developed or obtained for internal use when both the preliminary project stage is completed and our management has authorized further funding for the project, which it deems probable of completion. Capitalized software costs include only: (1) external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining the software; (2) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with and who devote time to the project; and (3) interest costs incurred while developing the software. Capitalization of these costs ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. We do not include general and administrative costs and overhead costs in capitalizable costs. Research and development costs, product management, and other software maintenance costs related to software development are expensed as incurred. We had capitalized software costs, net of accumulated amortization, of $78.7 million and $70.4 million as of December 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively, included in property, plant, and equipment, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We amortize software costs on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the software, generally a range of two to seven years. Amortization of software costs totaled $30.6 million, $28.3 million, and $26.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, net, capitalized software, net, and definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Please refer to Note 16, “Leases” for further information on our impairment of long-lived assets. Deferred Costs Deferred costs primarily consist of deferred sales commissions. Sales commissions paid based on the annual contract value of a signed customer contract are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Sales commission paid based on the annual contract value are deferred and then amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of benefit that we have determined to be five years. Deferred costs included within Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets were $132.9 million and $106.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for the deferred costs was $38.8 million, $32.2 million, and $26.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Revenue Recognition The core principle of ASC Topic 606 is that revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those products or services. In accordance with ASC Topic 606, we perform the following steps to determine revenue to be recognized:
1)
Identify the contract(s) with a customer;
2)
Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
3)
Determine the transaction price;
4)
Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
5)
Recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. The significant majority of our two major revenue sources (recurring and professional services and other) are derived from contracts with customers. Recurring revenues are primarily related to our cloud subscription performance obligations. Professional services and other revenues are primarily related to professional services for our cloud customers (including implementation services to activate new accounts, as well as post go-live professional services typically billed on a time and materials basis) and, to a much lesser extent, fees for other non-recurring services, including sales of time clocks and certain client reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses. Fees charged to cloud subscription performance obligations are generally priced either on a per-employee, per-month (“PEPM”) basis for a given month or on a per-employee, per-process basis for a given process; and fees charged for professional services are typically priced on a fixed fee basis for activating new accounts and on a time and materials basis for post go-live professional services. There is typically no variable consideration related to our recurring cloud subscriptions or our activation services, nor do they include a significant financing component, non-cash consideration, or consideration payable to a customer. Our recurring cloud subscriptions are typically billed one month in advance while our professional services are billed over the implementation period for activation of new accounts and as work is performed for post go-live professional services. Our cloud services arrangements include multiple performance obligations, and transaction price allocations are based on the stand-alone selling price ("SSP") for each performance obligation. Our contract renewal rates serve as an observable input to establish SSP for our recurring cloud subscription performance obligations. The SSP for professional services performance obligations is estimated based on market conditions and observable inputs, including rates charged by third parties to perform implementation services. For our performance obligations, the consideration allocated to cloud subscription revenues is recognized as recurring revenues, typically commencing when subscription fees begin to be charged to the customer. The consideration allocated to professional services to activate a new account is recognized as professional services revenues based on the proportion of total work performed, using reasonably dependable estimates (in relation to progression through the implementation phase), by solution. Recurring Services Revenues Revenues are presented within the consolidated statements of operations in two categories: recurring services and professional services and other. Recurring services revenues consist of monthly fees that we charge for our Cloud and Bureau solutions. For our Dayforce solutions, we primarily charge monthly recurring fees on a per employee, per month (“PEPM”) basis, generally one-month in advance of service, based on the number and type of solutions provided to the customer and the number of employees at the customer. We charge Powerpay customers monthly recurring fees on a per-employee, per- process basis. For our Bureau solutions, we typically charge monthly recurring fees on a per-process basis. The typical recurring services customer contract has an initial term of three years. Any credits related to service level commitments are recognized as incurre d , as service level failures are not anticipated at contract signing. Should a customer cancel the initial contract, an early termination fee may be applicable , and revenue is recognized upon collection. We also generate recurring services revenue from investment income on our Cloud and Bureau customer funds held in trust before such funds are remitted to taxing authorities, customer employees , or other third parties. We refer to this investment income as float revenue. Please refer to Note 1 3 , “ Revenue ,” for a full description of our sources of revenue. Professional Services and Other Revenues Professional services and other revenues consist primarily of charges relating to the work performed to assist customers with the planning, design, and implementation of their solutions. Also included in professional services are any related training services, post-implementation professional services, and purchased time clocks. We also generate professional services and other revenues from custom professional services and consulting services that we provide and for certain third-party services that we arrange for our Bureau customers. Professional services revenue is primarily recognized as hours are incurred. Costs and Expenses Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue consists of costs to deliver our revenue-producing services. Most of these costs are recognized as incurred, that is, as we become obligated to pay for them. Some costs of revenue are recognized in the period that a service is sold and delivered. Other costs of revenue are recognized over the period of use or in proportion to the related revenue. The costs recognized as incurred consist primarily of customer service staff costs, customer technical support costs, implementation personnel costs, costs of hosting applications, consulting and purchased services, delivery services, and royalties. The costs of revenue recognized over the period of use are depreciation and amortization, rentals of facilities and equipment, and direct and incremental costs associated with deferred implementation service revenue. Cost of recurring services revenues primarily consists of costs to provide maintenance and technical support to our customers, and the costs of hosting our applications. The cost of recurring services revenues includes compensation and other employee-related expenses for data center staff, payments to outside service providers, data center, and networking expenses. Cost of professional services and other revenues primarily consists of costs to provide implementation consulting services and training to our customers, as well as the cost of time clocks. Costs to provide implementation consulting services include compensation and other employee-related expenses for professional services staff, costs of subcontractors, and travel. Product development and management expense includes costs related to software development activities that do not qualify for capitalization, such as development, quality assurance, testing of new technologies, and enhancements to our existing solutions that do not result in additional functionality. Product development and management expense also includes costs related to the management of our service offerings. Research and development expense, which is included within product development and management expense, was $39.6 million, $34.1 million, and $29.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Depreciation and amortization related to cost of revenue primarily consists of amortization of capitalized software. Selling, General, and Administrative Expense Selling expense includes costs related to maintaining a direct marketing infrastructure and sales force and other direct marketing efforts, such as marketing events, advertising, telemarketing, direct mail, and trade shows. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $5.5 million, $5.4 million, and $5.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. General and administrative expense includes costs that are not directly related to delivery of services, selling efforts, or product development, primarily consisting of corporate-level costs, such as administration, finance, legal, and human resources. Also included in this category are depreciation, and amortization of other intangible assets not reflected in cost of revenue, and the provision for doubtful accounts receivable. Other Expense (Income), Net Other expense (income), net includes the results of transactions that are not appropriately classified in another category. These items are primarily foreign currency translation gains and losses resulting mainly from intercompany receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than the subsidiary’s functional currency and net periodic pension costs. Income Taxes Income taxes have been provided for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities as adjusted for the expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss carryforwards. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and laws, if any, applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, is reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment. We classify interest and penalties related to income taxes as a component of income tax expense (benefit). Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of cash and equivalents, trade and other receivables, net, customer trust funds obligations, customer advance payments, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. Share-Based Compensation Our employees participate in share-based compensation plans. Under the fair value recognition provisions of share-based compensation accounting, we measure share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize the compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. We use the Black-Scholes standard option pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) to determine the fair value of stock awards with term-based vesting conditions. The determination of the fair value of the awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model is affected by the value of our common stock as well as other inputs and assumptions described below. If factors change and we employ different assumptions for estimating share-based compensation expense in future periods or if we adopt a different valuation model, future periods may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period and could materially affect our operating results. To determine the fair value of both term- and certain performance-based stock awards, the risk-free interest rate used was based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with remaining term equal to the contractual term of the performance-based options and the expected term of the term-based awards. Given our limited history as a public company, the estimated volatility of our common stock is based on volatility data for selected comparable public companies over the expected term of our stock awards. Because we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, we use an expected dividend yield of zero. The amount of share-based compensation expense we recognize during a period is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. For performance-based stock options with a market condition, a Monte Carlo simulation model is used to determine the fair value. The Monte Carlo model utilizes multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market conditions stipulated in the award. We estimate option forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. We analyze historical data to estimate pre-vesting forfeitures and record share-based compensation expense for those awards expected to vest. We recognize term-based stock compensation expense using the straight-line method. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Liability We present information about our pension and postretirement benefit plans in Note 11, “Employee Benefit Plans” to our consolidated financial statements. Liabilities and expenses for pensions and other postretirement benefits are determined with the assistance of third-party actuaries, using actuarial methodologies and incorporating significant assumptions, including the rate used to discount the future estimated liability, the long-term rate of return on plan assets, and several assumptions relating to the employee workforce (medical costs, retirement age, and mortality). The discount rate assumption utilizes a full yield curve approach by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. The impact of a change in the discount rate of 25 basis points would be approximately $13 million on the liabilities and $0.3 million on pre-tax earnings in the following year. The long-term rate of return is estimated by considering historical returns and expected returns on current and projected asset allocations and is generally applied to a five-year average market value of assets. A change in the assumption for the long-term rate of return on plan assets of 25 basis points would impact pre-tax earnings by approximately $1 million. Foreign Currency Translation We have international operations whereby the local currencies serve as functional currencies. We translate foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at the end-of-period exchange rates and foreign currency denominated statements of operations at the average exchange rates for each period. We report the effect of changes in the U.S. dollar carrying values of assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries that are due to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the subsidiaries’ functional currency as foreign currency translation within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from transactions and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the subsidiaries are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations within other expense (income), net. Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Standard
Issuance Date
Description
Adoption Date
Effect on the Financial Statements
ASU 2018-14 , Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans
August 2018
This amendment modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. Additionally, it removes disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, adds disclosures identified as relevant, and clarifies certain specific requirements of disclosures to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements.
January 2020
The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our annual defined benefit plan and other postretirement plan disclosures.
ASU 2016-13 , Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements
June 2016
This amendment replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses.
January 2020
The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.
ASU 2016-02 , Leases (Topic 842) and all related amendments
February 2016
This standard requires balance sheet recognition for both financing and operating leases.
January 2019
Please refer to Note 16, "Leases," for additional information about our leasing arrangements.
ASU 2020-04 , Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting
March 2020
This amendment provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform.
Not yet adopted
This amendment may be elected over time through December 31, 2022 as reference rate reform activities occur. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on our financial statements. |
