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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Oct. 31, 2021
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The following are significant accounting policies in addition to those included in other notes to the consolidated financial statements. Use of Estimates in Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures. The COVID pandemic has resulted in uncertainties in the company’s business, which may result in actual results differing from those estimates. Revenue Recognition Sales of equipment and service parts are recognized when each of the following criteria are met: (1) the company and an independent customer approve a contract with commercial substance, (2) the sales price is determinable and collectability of the payments are probable based on the terms outlined in the contract, and (3) control of the goods has transferred to the independent customer. In most situations, the independent customer is a dealer, which subsequently sells the equipment and service parts purchased from the company to a retail customer, who can finance the equipment with the financial services segment or another source of financing. In some situations, the company sells directly to a retail customer. The term “customer” includes both dealers and retail customers to whom the company makes direct sales. Transfer of control generally occurs for equipment and service parts when the good is delivered as specified in the contract and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred. In the U.S. and most international locations, this transfer occurs primarily when goods are shipped. In Canada and some other international locations, certain goods are shipped to dealers on a consignment basis under which the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the dealer at the time the goods are shipped. Accordingly, in these locations, sales are not recorded until a retail customer has purchased the goods. Generally, no right of return exists on sales of equipment. In limited instances, equipment is transferred to a customer or a financial institution with an obligation to repurchase the equipment for a specified amount, which is exercisable at the customer’s option. When the equipment is expected to be repurchased, those arrangements are accounted for as leases. No sale is recorded at the time of the equipment transfer and the difference between sale price and the specified repurchase amount is recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis until the customer’s option expires. When this equipment is not expected to be repurchased, a sale is recorded with a return obligation. Under the terms of sales agreements with dealers, interest-free periods are determined based on the type of equipment sold and the time of year of the sale. These periods range from one to twelve months for most equipment. Interest-free periods may not be extended. Interest is primarily charged to dealers on outstanding balances, from the earlier of the date when goods are sold to a retail customer by the dealer or the expiration of the interest-free period granted at the time of the sale to the dealer, until payment is received by the company. Interest charged may not be forgiven and the past due interest rates exceed market rates. In 2020 and to a much lesser extent in 2021, short-term payment relief was provided to dealers due to the economic effects of COVID (see Note 13). Dealers cannot cancel purchases after the company recognizes a sale and are responsible for payment even if the equipment is not sold to retail customers. If the interest-free or below market interest rate period exceeds one year, the company adjusts the expected sales revenue for the effects of the time value of money using a current market interest rate. The revenue related to the financing component is recognized in “Finance and interest income” using the interest method. The company does not adjust the sales price to account for a financing component if the expected interest-free or below market period is one year or less. Service parts and certain attachments returns are estimable and accrued at the time a sale is recognized. The estimated returns are recorded in “Other assets” for the inventory value of estimated returns, adjusted for restocking fees. The estimated dealer refund liability, adjusted for restocking fees, is recorded in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses.” The estimated returns are based on historical return rates, current dealer inventory levels, and current economic conditions. The company remanufactures used engines and components (cores) that are sold to dealers and retail customers for maintenance and repair parts. Revenue for remanufactured components is recognized using the same criteria as other parts sales. When a remanufactured part is sold, the company collects a deposit that is repaid if the customer returns a core that meets certain specifications within a defined time period. The deposit received from the customer is recognized as a liability in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” and the used component that is expected to be returned is recognized in “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet. When a customer returns a core, the deposit is repaid, the liability reversed, and the returned core is recorded in inventory to be remanufactured and sold to another customer. If a core is not returned within the required time, the deposit is recognized as revenue in “Net sales,” and the estimated core return is recorded as an expense in “Cost of sales” in the statement of consolidated income. Certain equipment is sold with precision guidance, telematics, and other information gathering and analyzing capabilities. These technology solutions require hardware, software, and may include an obligation to provide services for a period of time. These solutions are generally bundled with the sale of the equipment but can also be purchased or renewed separately. The revenue related to the hardware and embedded software is generally recognized at the time of the equipment sale and recorded in “Net sales” in the statement of consolidated income. The revenue for the future services is generally deferred and recognized over the service period. The deferred revenue is recorded as a contract liability in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” in the consolidated balance sheet and is recognized in “Other income” with the associated expenses recognized in “Other operating expenses” in the statement of consolidated income. Financing revenue is recorded over the lives of the related receivables using the interest method. Deferred costs on the origination of financing receivables are recognized as a reduction in “Finance and interest income” over the expected lives of the receivables using the interest method. Income and deferred costs on the origination of operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the scheduled lease terms in “Finance and interest income.” Sales Incentives In certain markets, the company provides sales incentives to dealers. These incentives may be based on a dealer’s purchase volume or on retail sales incentive programs for allowances and financing programs that will be due when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer. At the time of the sale to a dealer, the company records an estimated cost of these programs as a reduction to the sales price. The estimated cost is based on historical data, announced and expected incentive programs, field inventory levels, and forecasted sales volumes. The final cost of these programs is determined at the end of the measurement period for volume-based incentives or when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer. Actual cost differences from the original cost estimate are recognized in “Net sales.” Product Warranties For most equipment and service parts sales, the company provides a standard warranty to provide assurance that the equipment will function as intended for a specified period. At the time a sale is recognized, the estimated future warranty costs are recorded. The company generally determines its total warranty liability by applying historical warranty claims rate experience to the estimated amount of equipment that has been sold and is still under warranty based on dealer inventories and retail sales. The historical claims rate is primarily determined by a review of five-year claims costs with consideration of current quality developments. The company also offers extended warranty arrangements for purchase at the customer’s option. The premiums for extended warranties are recognized in “Other income” in the statement of consolidated income primarily in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred over the contract period. The unamortized extended warranty premiums (deferred revenue) are recorded in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” in the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 21). Sales and Transaction Taxes The company collects and remits taxes assessed by different governmental authorities that are both imposed on and concurrent with revenue producing transactions between the company and its customers. These taxes include sales, use, value-added, and some excise taxes. The company elected to exclude these taxes from the determination of the sales price (excluded from revenues). Contract Costs Incremental costs of obtaining an equipment revenue contract are recognized as an expense when incurred since the amortization period would be one year or less. Advertising Costs Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. This expense was $212 million in 2021, $196 million in 2020, and $215 million in 2019. Depreciation and Amortization Property and equipment, capitalized software, and other intangible assets are generally stated at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization. These assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives generally using the straight-line method. Equipment on operating leases is depreciated over the terms of the leases using the straight-line method. Property and equipment expenditures for new and revised products, increased capacity, and the replacement or major renewal of significant items are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are generally charged to expense as incurred. Securitization of Receivables Certain financing receivables are periodically transferred to special purpose entities (SPEs) in securitization transactions (see Note 14). These securitizations qualify as collateral for secured borrowings and no gains or losses are recognized at the time of securitization. The receivables remain on the balance sheet and are classified as “Financing receivables securitized - net.” The company recognizes finance income over the lives of these receivables using the interest method. Receivables and Allowances All financing and trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet at outstanding principal and accrued interest, adjusted for any write-offs, the allowance for credit losses, and any unamortized deferred fees or costs on originated financing receivables. The company also records an allowance and provision for credit losses related to the receivables from sales (trade receivables and certain financing receivables). The allowance is a reduction to the receivable balances and the provision is recorded in “Selling, administrative and general expenses.” The allowance represents an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of the receivable portfolio. The company measures expected credit losses on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Risk characteristics considered by the company include finance product category, market, geography, credit risk, and remaining duration. Receivables that do not share risk characteristics with other receivables in the portfolio are evaluated on an individual basis. The company utilizes loss forecast models, which are selected based on the size and credit risk of the underlying pool of receivables, to estimate expected credit losses. Transition matrix models are used for large and complex retail customer receivable pools, while weighted average remaining maturity models are used for smaller and less complex retail customer receivable pools. Expected credit losses on wholesale receivables are based on historical loss rates, with consideration of current economic conditions and dealer financial risk. The modeled expected credit losses are adjusted based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may include economic indicators such as commodity prices, industry equipment sales, unemployment rates, and housing starts. Management reviews each model’s output quarterly, and qualitative adjustments are incorporated as necessary. Receivables are written-off to the allowance when the account is considered uncollectible (see Note 13). Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill, and Other Intangible Assets The company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets (including equipment on operating leases, property and equipment, goodwill, and other intangible assets) when events or circumstances warrant such a review. Goodwill and unamortized intangible assets are tested for impairment annually at the end of the third quarter of each fiscal year, and more often if events or circumstances indicate a reduction in the fair value below the carrying value. Goodwill is allocated and reviewed for impairment by reporting unit. Goodwill is allocated to the reporting unit in which the business that created the goodwill resides. To test for goodwill impairment, the carrying value of each reporting unit is compared with its fair value. If the carrying value of the goodwill is considered impaired, the impairment is measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over the fair value, with a limit of the goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is considered impaired, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset (see Notes 5 and 26). Derivative Financial Instruments The company’s policy is derivative transactions are executed only to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. The company’s financial services operations manage the relationship of the types and amounts of their funding sources to their receivable and lease portfolio in an effort to diminish risk due to interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations, while responding to favorable financing opportunities. The company also has foreign currency exposures at some of its foreign and domestic operations related to buying, selling, and financing in currencies other than the functional currencies. In addition, the company has interest rate exposure at certain equipment operations units for below market retail financing programs that are used as sales incentives and are offered for extended periods. All derivatives are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. Cash collateral received or paid is not offset against the derivative fair values on the balance sheet. Each derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, fair value hedge, or remains undesignated. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) and reclassified to the income statement when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in the income statement. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as fair value hedges are recognized currently in net income. These changes are offset in net income by fair value changes related to the risk being hedged on the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in the income statement. All designated hedges are formally documented as to the relationship with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued (see Note 27). Foreign Currency Translation The functional currencies for most of the company’s foreign operations are their respective local currencies. The assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the end of the period exchange rates. The revenues and expenses are translated at weighted-average rates for the period. The gains or losses from these translations are recorded in OCI. Gains or losses from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the subsidiary involved and foreign exchange derivative contracts are included in net income. The pretax net gain (loss) for foreign exchange in 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $(134) million, $18 million, and $(13) million, respectively.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123372394&loc=d3e18726-107790 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 + Details
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