Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2016

The following table represents the components of accounts receivable, net:



	October 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Accounts receivable	$	394,314		$	354,688
Unbilled accounts receivable	47,760			33,567
Total accounts receivable	442,074			388,255
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(3,201		)	(2,561		)
Total accounts receivable, net	$	438,873		$	385,694

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)
2016	$	2,561	$	950		$	(310	)	$	3,201
2015	$	2,026	$	1,300		$	(765	)	$	2,561
2014	$	4,253	$	(1,250	)	$	(977	)	$	2,026


(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, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:



	October 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Computer and other equipment	$	486,109		$	436,425
Buildings	68,194			67,943
Furniture and fixtures	51,589			50,075
Land	20,414			20,414
Leasehold improvements	136,773			142,275
	763,079			717,132
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)	(506,044		)	(454,055		)
Total	$	257,035		$	263,077


(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,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Payroll and related benefits	$	321,430	$	315,078
Other accrued liabilities	66,276		60,545
Accounts payable	13,745		9,919
Total	$	401,451	$	385,542

Components of Other Long Term Liabilities

Other Long-term Liabilities. The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Deferred compensation liability (See Note 10)	$	163,185	$	158,462
Other long-term liabilities	47,670		43,559
Total	$	210,855	$	202,021

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,
	2016		2015		2014
	(in thousands)
Numerator:
Net income	$	266,826	$	225,934	$	259,124
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic net income per share	152,017		154,957		155,054
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents from equity—based compensation	2,704		3,108		2,656
Weighted average common shares for diluted net income per share	154,721		158,065		157,710
Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.76	$	1.46	$	1.67
Diluted	$	1.73	$	1.43	$	1.64
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded(1)	1,971		1,363		2,196


(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 futur