Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2015

Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts:



Fiscal Year	Balance at Beginning of Period		Provisions			Write-offs(1)			Balance at End of Period
	(in thousands)
2015	$	2,026	$	1,300		$	(765	)	$	2,561
2014	$	4,253	$	(1,250	)	$	(977	)	$	2,026
2013	$	6,072	$	102		$	(1,921	)	$	4,253


(1)	Balances written off, net of recoveries.

Components of Property and Equipment

A summary of property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, as of October 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:



	October 31,
	2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Computer and other equipment	$	436,425		$	419,951
Buildings	67,943			68,871
Furniture and fixtures	50,075			41,089
Land	20,414			20,414
Leasehold improvements	142,275			136,513
	717,132			686,838
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)	(454,055		)	(437,740		)
Total	$	263,077		$	249,098


(1)	Accumulated depreciation and amortization includes write-offs due to retirement of fully amortized fixed assets.

Useful Lives of Depreciable Assets

The useful lives of depreciable assets are as follows:



	Useful Life in Years
Computer and other equipment	3-5
Buildings	30
Furniture and fixtures	5
Leasehold improvements (average)	5

Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities. The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2015		2014
	(in thousands)
Payroll and related benefits	$	315,078	$	302,295
Other accrued liabilities	60,545		66,666
Accounts payable	9,919		28,152
Total	$	385,542	$	397,113

Components of Other Long Term Liabilities

Other Long-term Liabilities. The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2015		2014
	(in thousands)
Deferred compensation liability (See Note 10)	$	158,462	$	145,508
Other long-term liabilities	43,559		13,464
Total	$	202,021	$	158,972

Reconciliation of Weighted Average Common Shares Used to Calculate Basic Net Income Per Share

The table below reconciles the weighted average common shares used to calculate basic net income per share with the weighted average common shares used to calculate diluted net income per share:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Numerator:
Net income	$	225,934	$	259,124	$	247,800
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic net income per share	154,957		155,054		153,319
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents from equity—based compensation	3,108		2,656		3,282
Weighted average common shares for diluted net income per share	158,065		157,710		156,601
Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.46	$	1.67	$	1.62
Diluted	$	1.43	$	1.64	$	1.58
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded(1)	1,363		2,196		1,326


(1)	These stock options and unvested restricted stock units were anti-dilutive for the respective periods and are excluded in calculating diluted net income per share. While such awards were anti-dilutive for the respective periods, they could be dilutive in the future.