Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of the Company Innovative Solutions and Support, Inc. (the “Company” or “IS&S”) was incorporated in Pennsylvania on February 12, 1988. The Company operates in one business segment as a systems integrator that designs, manufactures, sells, and services air data equipment, engine display systems, standby equipment, primary flight guidance, and cockpit display systems for retrofit applications and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The Company supplies integrated Flight Management Systems (“FMS”), Flat Panel Display Systems (“FPDS”), Integrated Standby Units (“ISU”) and advanced Global Positioning System (“GPS”) receivers that enable reduced carbon footprint navigation. The Company has continued to position itself as a system integrator, which capability provides the Company with the potential to generate more substantive orders over a broader product base. The strategy, as both a manufacturer and integrator, is designed to leverage the latest technologies developed for the computer and telecommunications industries into advanced and cost-effective solutions for the general aviation, commercial air transport, United States Department of Defense (“DoD”)/governmental, and foreign military markets. This approach, combined with the Company’s industry experience, is designed to enable IS&S to develop high-quality products and systems, to reduce product time to market, and to achieve cost advantages over products offered by its competitors. Customers include commercial air transport carriers and corporate/general aviation companies, the DoD and its commercial contractors, aircraft operators, aircraft modification centers, foreign militaries, and various OEMs. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in accordance with the disclosure requirements for the quarterly report on Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete annual financial statements. In the opinion of Company management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the results for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016 is derived from the audited financial statements of the Company. Operating results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The Company prepares its condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, long term contracts, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, product warranty cost liabilities, income taxes, engineering and material costs on Engineering Development Contracts (“EDC”) programs, percentage-of-completion on EDC, recoverability of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation expense self-insurance reserves, and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Highly liquid investments, purchased with an original maturity of three months or less, are classified as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents at March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016 consist of funds invested in money market funds with financial institutions. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided using an accelerated method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (the lesser of three to seven years or over the lease term), except for the manufacturing facility and the corporate airplane. The building is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over 39 years. During the six months ended March 31, 2017, no depreciation was provided for the airplane because it had been depreciated to its estimated salvage value. Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of assets are charged to expense as incurred. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The net carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. For financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, fair value is the price the Company would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with a market participant at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value as follows: Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2 — Other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including: · Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; · Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets; · Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and · Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data. Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions. The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, according to the valuation techniques the Company used to determine their fair values. Fair Value Measurement on March 31, 2017 Quoted Price in Significant Other Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Identical Assets Inputs Inputs (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets Cash and cash equivalents: Money market funds $ $ — $ — Fair Value Measurement on September 30, 2016 Quoted Price in Significant Other Significant Active Markets for Observable Unobservable Identical Assets Inputs Inputs (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets Cash and cash equivalents: Money market funds $ $ — $ — Long-Lived Assets The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 360-10, “ Property, Plant and Equipment.” This statement requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, known as triggering events, indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In addition, long-lived assets to be disposed of should be reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the asset to estimated future cash flows expected to result from use of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows, the Company measures the amount of the impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The estimation of fair value is generally measured by discounting expected future cash flows. No impairment triggering events occurred during the six months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. Revenue Recognition The Company enters into sales arrangements with customers that, in general, provide for the Company to design, develop, manufacture and deliver air data equipment, large flat-panel display systems, and advanced monitoring systems that measure and display critical flight information, including data relative to aircraft separation, airspeed, altitude, and engine and fuel data measurements. The Company’s sales arrangements may include multiple deliverables as defined in FASB ASC Topic 605-25 “ Multiple-Element Arrangements ” (“ASC Topic 605-25”), which typically include design and engineering services and the production and delivery of the flat panel display and related components. The Company includes any design and engineering services elements in EDC sales and any functional upgrade and product elements in product sales on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. To the extent that an arrangement contains software elements that are essential to the functionality of tangible products sold in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue for the deliverables in accordance with the guidance included in FASB Accounting Update 2009-14, “ Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements ” (“ASU 2009-14”); and FASB Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements-a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2009-13”); and FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” (“ASC Topic 605”). To the extent that an arrangement contains software components, which include functional upgrades that are sold on a standalone basis and which the Company has deemed outside the scope of the exception defined by ASU 2009-14, the Company recognizes software revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 985, “ Software ” (“ASC Topic 985”). Multiple Element Arrangements - The Company identifies all goods and/or services that are to be delivered separately under such a sales arrangement and allocates sales to each deliverable (if more than one) based on that deliverable’s selling price. The Company considers the appropriate recognition method for each deliverable. The Company’s multiple element arrangements can include defined design and development activities, functional upgrades, and product sales. The Company utilizes the selling price hierarchy that has been established by FASB ASU 2009-13, which requires that the selling price for each deliverable be based on vendor-specific objective evidence if available, third-party evidence if vendor-specific objective evidence is not available, or estimated selling price if neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available. To the extent that an arrangement includes a deliverable for which estimated selling price is used, the Company determines the best estimate of selling price by applying the same pricing policies and methodologies that would be used to determine the price to sell the deliverable on a standalone basis. To the extent that an arrangement contains defined design and EDC activities as an identified deliverable in addition to products (resulting in a multiple element arrangement), the Company recognizes as EDC sales amounts earned during the design and development phase of the contract following the guidance included in FASB ASC Topic 605-35, “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts” (“ASC Topic 605-35”) . To the extent that multiple element arrangements include product sales, sales are generally recognized once revenue recognition criteria for the product deliverables have been met based on the provisions of ASC Topic 605. The Company includes any design and engineering services elements in EDC sales and any functional upgrade and product elements in product sales on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Single Element Arrangements - Products To the extent that a single element arrangement provides for product sales and repairs, the Company recognizes revenue when revenue recognition criteria for the product deliverable have been met based on the provisions of ASC Topic 605. In addition, the Company receives orders for equipment and parts, and recognizes revenue at either the shipping point or upon receipt by the customer. Prior to the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the Company had not experienced significant returns of its products. During the six months ended March 31, 2017, the Company negotiated with two customers to reconfigure their avionics system. In connection with this change, the Company agreed to allow the return of products previously sold and, accordingly, net sales and net accounts receivable reflect reductions of $0.6 million for the value of products returned by the customers. The Company offers its customers extended warranties for additional fees, which it records as deferred revenue and recognizes as sales on a straight-line basis over the warranty periods. Engineering Development Contracts The Company may enter into contracts to perform specified design and EDC services related to its products. The Company recognizes revenue from these arrangements as EDC revenue, following the guidance included in ASC Topic 605-35, and considers the nature of these contracts (including term, size of contract, and level of effort) when determining the appropriate accounting treatment for a particular contract. For contracts that are long-term in nature, the Company believes that the use of the percentage-of-completion method is appropriate as the Company has the ability to make reasonably dependable estimates of the extent of progress towards completion, contract revenues, and contract costs. In certain circumstances, the Company uses the completed contract method for other contracts. Sales and profit margins under the percentage-of-completion method are recorded based on the ratio of actual costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred related to the contract under the cost-to-cost method. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting requires the Company to estimate the profit margin for each individual contract, and to apply that profit margin on a uniform basis as sales are recorded under the contract. The estimation of profit margins requires the Company to make projections of the total sales to be generated and the total costs that will be incurred under a contract. The projections require the Company to make numerous assumptions and estimates relating to items such as the complexity of design and related development costs, performance of subcontractors, availability and cost of materials, engineering productivity and cost, overhead, and capital costs. Contracts sometimes include purchase options for additional quantities and customer change orders for additional or revised product functionality. Sales and costs related to profitable purchase options are included in the Company’s estimates only when the options are exercised, while sales and costs related to unprofitable purchase options are included in the Company’s estimates when exercise is determined to be probable. Sales related to change orders are included in profit estimates only if they can be estimated reliably and collectability is reasonably assured. Purchase options and change orders are accounted for either as an integral part of the original contract or separately, depending upon the nature and value of the item. Anticipated losses on contracts are recognized in full in the period in which losses become probable and estimable. The Company reviews estimates of profit margins for contracts on a quarterly basis. Changes in these underlying estimates because of either revisions in sales and cost estimates or the exercise of contract options may result in profit margins being recognized unevenly over a contract because such changes are accounted for on a cumulative basis in the period in which estimates are revised. Significant changes in estimates related to accounting for long-term contracts may have a material effect on the Company’s results of income in the period in which the revised estimate is made. Cumulative catch-up adjustments (loss contracts) resulting from changes in estimates are disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Customer Service Revenue The Company enters into sales arrangements with customers for the repair or upgrade of its various products that are not under warranty. The Company’s customer service revenue and cost of sales for the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively are as follows: For the Three Months Ended March 31, For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Customer Service Sales $ $ $ $ Customer Service Cost of Sales Gross Profit $ $ $ $ Income Taxes Income taxes are recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC Topic 740”), which utilizes a balance sheet approach to provide for income taxes. Under this method, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets, liabilities, and expected benefits of utilizing net operating losses (“NOL”) and tax credit carry-forwards. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and laws, if any, are applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, and are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment. At the end of each interim and year-end reporting period, the Company prepares an estimate of the annual effective income tax rate and applies that annual effective income tax rate to ordinary year-to-date pre-tax income for the interim period. Specific tax items discrete to a particular quarter are recorded in income tax expense for that quarter. The estimated annual effective tax rate used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis may change in subsequent periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the consideration of all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified, and significant management judgment is required in determining any valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. The Company evaluates deferred income taxes on a quarterly basis to determine if a valuation allowance is required by considering available evidence. Deferred tax assets are recognized when expected future taxable income is sufficient to allow the related tax benefits to reduce taxes that would otherwise be payable. The sources of taxable income that may be available to realize the benefit of deferred tax assets are future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and credit carryforwards, taxable income in carry-back years, and tax planning strategies which are both prudent and feasible.The Company’s current balance of the deferred tax valuation allowance is recorded against the majority of the federal and state deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to assess all available evidence during future periods to evaluate any changes to the realization of its deferred tax assets. The Company has settled the Delta litigation which was a major business uncertainty, earnings are trending positively, and if future earnings meet our expectations, then we foresee a change in the valuation allowance by the end of the fiscal year when we will have had three years of cumulative earnings. The accounting for uncertainty in income taxes requires a more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company records a liability for the difference between the (i) benefit recognized and measured for financial statement purposes and (ii) the tax position taken or expected to be taken on the Company’s tax return. To the extent that the Company’s assessment of such tax positions changes, the change in estimate is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. The Company has elected to record any interest or penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. The Company files a consolidated United States federal income tax return. The Company prepares and files tax returns based on the interpretation of tax laws and regulations, and records estimates based on these judgments and interpretations. In the normal course of business, the tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities, and the Company records a liability when it is probable that there will be an assessment. The Company adjusts the estimates periodically as a result of ongoing examinations by and settlements with the various taxing authorities, and changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. The consolidated tax provision of any given year includes adjustments to prior years’ income tax accruals that are considered appropriate, and any related estimated interest. Management believes that it has made adequate accruals for income taxes. Differences between estimated and actual amounts determined upon ultimate resolution, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, but could possibly be material to its consolidated results of operations or cash flow of any one period. Engineering Development The Company invests a large percentage of its sales on engineering development, both research and development (“R&D”) and EDC. At March 31, 2017, approximately 35% of the Company’s employees were engineers engaged in various engineering development projects. Total engineering development expense is comprised of both internally funded R&D and product development and design charges related to specific customer contracts. Engineering development expense consists primarily of payroll-related expenses of employees engaged in EDC projects, engineering related product materials and equipment, and subcontracting costs. R&D charges incurred for product design, product enhancements, and future product development are expensed as incurred. Product development and design charges related to specific customer contracts are charged to cost of sales-EDC based on the method of contract accounting (either percentage-of-completion or completed contract) applicable to such contracts. Treasury Stock Treasury stock is recorded at acquisition cost. Gains and losses on disposition are recorded as increases or decreases to additional paid-in capital with losses in excess of previously recorded gains charged directly to retained earnings. When treasury shares are retired and returned to authorized but unissued status, the carrying value in excess of par is allocated to additional paid-in capital and retained earnings on a pro rata basis. Comprehensive Income Pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income” (“ASC Topic 220”), the Company is required to classify items of other comprehensive income by their nature in the balance sheet and to display the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of its condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, comprehensive income consisted of net income only, and there were no items of other comprehensive income for any of the periods presented. Share-Based Compensation The Company accounts for share-based compensation under FASB ASC Topic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” (“ASC Topic 505-50”), and ASC Topic 718, “Stock Compensation” (“ASC Topic 718”), which require the Company to measure the cost of employee or non-employee director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award using an option pricing model. The Company recognizes such cost over the period during which an employee or non-employee director is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Warranty The Company offers warranties on some products of various lengths, however the standard warranty is twenty-four months. At the time of shipment, the Company establishes a reserve for estimated costs of warranties based on its best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims using historical data on products sold as of the balance sheet date. The length of the warranty period, the product’s failure rates, and the customer’s usage affect warranty cost. If actual warranty costs differ from the Company’s estimated amounts, future results of operations could be affected adversely. Warranty cost is recorded as cost of sales, and the reserve balance recorded as an accrued expense. While the Company maintains product quality programs and processes, its warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates and the related corrective costs. If actual product failure rates and/or corrective costs differ from the estimates, the Company revises estimated warranty liability accordingly. Self-Insurance Reserves Since January 1, 2014, the Company has self-insured a significant portion of its employee medical insurance. The Company maintains a stop-loss insurance policy that limits its losses both on a per employee basis and an aggregate basis. Liabilities associated with the risks that are retained by the Company are estimated based upon actuarial assumptions such as historical claims experience, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company estimated the total medical claims incurred but not reported and the Company believes that it has adequate reserves for these claims at March 31, 2017. However, the actual value of such claims could be significantly affected if future occurrences and claims differ from these assumptions. At March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the estimated liability for medical claims incurred but not reported was $51,000 and $52,600 respectively. The Company has recorded the excess of funded premiums over estimated claims incurred but not reported of $300,000 and $253,000 as a current asset in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. Concentrations Major Customers and Products For the three months ended March 31, 2017, two customers, DHL Aviation Services (“DHL”) and Sierra Nevada Corporation (“Sierra Nevada”), accounted for 34% and 17% of net sales, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2017, two customers, Sierra Nevada and DHL accounted for 23% and 20% of net sales, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, three customers, Jet2.com Limited (“Jet2”), DHL and FedEx Corporation (“Fed Ex”), accounted for 29%, 16% and 15% of net sales, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2016, two customers, Jet2 and DHL accounted for 20% and 19% of net sales, respectively. Major Suppliers The Company buys several components from sole source suppliers. Although there are a limited number of manufacturers of particular components, the Company believes other suppliers could provide similar components on comparable terms. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2017, the Company had two and three suppliers respectively that were individually responsible for greater than 10% of the Company’s total inventory related purchases. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2016, the Company had two suppliers and one supplier respectively that were individually responsible for greater than 10% of the Company’s total inventory related purchases. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash balances and accounts receivable. The Company invests its excess cash where preservation of principal is the primary consideration. Cash balances are maintained with two major banks. Balances on deposit with certain money market accounts and operating accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) limits. The Company’s customer base consists principally of companies within the aviation industry. The Company requests advance payments and/or letters of credit from customers that it considers to be credit risks. The Company had allowances for doubtful accounts for unbilled receivables in the amount of $3.6 million related to the Delta contract as of September 30, 2016 (See Unbilled Receivables below under Note 2. Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures). Recent Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employer Share-Based Payment Account, which simplifies the tax treatment of stock shortfalls and windfalls. Previous guidance required excess tax benefits (‘windfalls’) to be recorded in equity. Tax deficiencies (‘shortfalls’) were recorded in equity to the extent of previous windfalls then to the income statement. The new guidance simplifies this treatment by having all ‘windfalls’ and ‘shortfalls’ recorded through the income statement. The updated standard is effective for the Company beginning December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of any interim or annual reporting period. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this guidance, an entity is required to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance offers specific accounting guidance for lessees, and lessors, including with respect to sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impacts of adoption of this guidance. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which simplifies balance sheet presentation of deferred income taxes. Previous guidance required an entity to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position; however, the new guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The updated standard is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of any interim or annual reporting period. The Company early adopted this standard retrospectively and reclassified its current deferred tax balances to noncurrent deferred tax for all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance regarding Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This guidance requires entities to measure most inventory “at the lower of cost and net realizable value,” thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market (market in this context is defined as one of three different measures). The guidance will not apply to inventories that are measured by using either the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method or the retail inventory method (“RIM”). The guidance is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on its financial statemen |