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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 26, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of Garmin Ltd. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified or presented to conform to current period presentation.

 

Fiscal Year

 

The Company’s fiscal year is based on a 52-53-week period ending on the last Saturday of the calendar year. Due to the fact that there are not exactly 52 weeks in a calendar year, and there is slightly more than one additional day per year (not including the effects of leap year) in each calendar year as compared to a 52-week fiscal year, the Company will have a fiscal year comprising 53 weeks in certain fiscal years, as determined by when the last Saturday of the calendar year occurs.

In those resulting fiscal years that have 53 weeks, the Company will record an extra week of sales, costs, and related financial activity. Therefore, the financial results of those 53-week fiscal years, and the associated 14-week fourth quarters, will not be entirely comparable to the prior and subsequent 52-week fiscal years and the associated 13-week quarters. Fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018 each included 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

Foreign Currency

 

Many Garmin Ltd. subsidiaries utilize currencies other than the United States Dollar (USD) as their functional currency. As required by the Foreign Currency Matters topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), the financial statements of these subsidiaries for all periods presented have been translated into USD, the functional currency of Garmin Ltd., and the reporting currency herein, for purposes of consolidation at rates prevailing during the year for sales, costs, and expenses and at end-of-year rates for all assets and liabilities. The effect of this translation is recorded in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Cumulative currency translation adjustments of $162,953 and $55,289 as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively, have been included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the approximate rate of exchange at the transaction date. Assets and liabilities resulting from these transactions are translated at the rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. The majority of the Company’s consolidated foreign currency gain or loss is typically driven by the significant cash and marketable securities, receivables, and payables held in a currency other than the functional currency at a given legal entity. Net foreign currency gains recorded in results of operations were $2,825 for the year ended December 26, 2020, and net foreign currency losses recorded in results of operations were $16,799, and $7,616, for the years ended December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018, respectively. The gain in fiscal 2020 was primarily due to the U.S. Dollar weakening against the Euro, Australian Dollar, Chinese Yuan, and British Pound Sterling, partially offset by the U.S. Dollar weakening against the Taiwan Dollar. The loss in fiscal 2019 was primarily driven by the U.S. Dollar strengthening against the Euro and weakening against the Taiwan Dollar, which was partially offset by the U.S. Dollar weakening against the British Pound Sterling. The loss in fiscal 2018 was due primarily to the USD strengthening against the Euro and British Pound Sterling, offset by the U.S. Dollar strengthening against the Taiwan Dollar.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share amounts are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. For purposes of diluted earnings per share, the number of shares that would be issued from the exercise of dilutive share-based compensation awards has been reduced by the number of shares which could have been purchased from the proceeds of the exercise or release at the average market price of the Company’s stock during the period the awards were outstanding. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, operating accounts, money market funds, deposits readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and securities with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value, given the short maturity of those instruments. Restricted cash is reported separately from cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on restricted cash.

 

The total of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balances presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet reconciles to the total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Trade Accounts Receivable

 

The Company sells its products to retailers, wholesalers, and other customers and extends credit based on its evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. Potential losses on receivables are dependent on each individual customer’s financial condition. The Company carries its trade accounts receivable at net realizable value. Typically, its accounts receivable are collected within 90 days and do not bear interest. The Company monitors its exposure to losses on receivables and maintains allowances for potential losses or adjustments. The Company determines these allowances by (1) evaluating the aging of its receivables and (2) reviewing its high-risk customers. Past due receivable balances are written off when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due. The Company maintains trade credit insurance to provide some security against certain losses within policy limits.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company grants credit to certain customers who meet the Company’s pre-established credit requirements. Generally, the Company does not require security when trade credit is granted to customers. Credit losses are provided for in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and typically have been within management’s expectations. Certain customers are allowed extended terms consistent with normal industry practice. Most of these extended terms can be classified as either relating to seasonal sales variations or to the timing of new product releases by the Company.

 

The Company’s top ten customers have contributed between 20% and 23% of net sales annually since 2018. None of the Company’s customers accounted for more than or equal to 10% of consolidated net sales in the years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018, respectively.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost includes materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead associated with purchases and production and is determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

December 26, 2020

 

 

December 28, 2019

 

Raw materials

 

$

282,287

 

 

$

260,070

 

Work-in-process

 

 

147,821

 

 

 

133,157

 

Finished goods

 

 

331,976

 

 

 

359,681

 

Inventories

 

$

762,084

 

 

$

752,908

 

 

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and typically depreciated using the straight-line method. The components of property and equipment were as follows and are generally depreciated over the following estimated useful lives:

 

 

 

Estimated Useful Life

 

December 26,

2020

 

 

December 28,

2019

 

Land

 

 

 

 

124,654

 

 

 

112,267

 

Building and improvements

 

15 to 50 years

 

 

662,753

 

 

 

597,387

 

Machinery, equipment and software

 

3 to 10 years

 

 

800,410

 

 

 

696,343

 

Total, at cost

 

 

 

 

1,587,817

 

 

 

1,405,997

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

(732,278

)

 

 

(677,076

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

855,539

 

 

 

728,921

 

 

As required by the Property, Plant and Equipment topic of the FASB ASC (ASC Topic 360), the Company reviews property and equipment assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be fully recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. That assessment is based on the carrying amount of the asset at the date it is tested for recoverability. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company did not recognize any material long-lived asset impairment charges in the fiscal years of 2020, 2019, or 2018.

Intangible Assets

 

At December 26, 2020, and December 28, 2019, the Company had patents, customer related intangibles and other identifiable finite-lived intangible assets recorded at a cost of $523,990 and $432,296, respectively. Identifiable, finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis typically over three to ten years. Accumulated amortization was $279,633 and $239,776 at December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively. Amortization expense on these intangible assets was $34,797, $26,225, and $21,796 for the years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018, respectively. In the next five years, the amortization expense is estimated to be $33,371, $30,255, $28,309, $26,357, and $23,941, respectively. The Company also reviews finite-lived intangible assets for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 360, as described above, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be fully recoverable.

The Company’s excess purchase cost over fair value of net assets acquired (goodwill) was $584,210 at December 26, 2020, and $467,108 at December 28, 2019.

 

 

 

December 26, 2020

 

 

December 28, 2019

 

Goodwill balance at beginning of year

 

$

467,108

 

 

$

301,017

 

Acquisitions

 

 

89,499

 

 

 

171,773

 

Effect of foreign currency translation, finalization of purchase price allocations, and impairment charges

 

 

27,603

 

 

 

(5,682

)

Goodwill balance at end of year

 

$

584,210

 

 

$

467,108

 

 

The Intangibles – Goodwill and Other topic of the FASB ASC (ASC Topic 350) requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives should not be amortized but rather be assessed for impairment at least annually or sooner whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. The Company performs its annual impairment assessments of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, if any, in the fourth quarter of each year, as of the Company’s fiscal year end date. ASC Topic 350 allows management to first perform a qualitative assessment by assessing the qualitative factors of relevant events and circumstances at the reporting unit level to determine if it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then the quantitative test will be performed. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then a goodwill impairment charge will be recognized in the amount by which carrying amount exceeds fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.    

 

Each of the Company’s operating segments (auto OEM, aviation, consumer auto, fitness, marine, and outdoor) represents a distinct reporting unit. The consumer auto market has declined in recent years as competing technologies have emerged and market saturation has occurred. This has resulted in periods of lower revenues and profits for the Company’s consumer auto reporting unit. Considering these qualitative factors, management performed a quantitative impairment test of the consumer auto reporting unit in the fourth quarter of 2020 and determined that the fair value of the reporting unit was substantially in excess of its carrying amount. However, considering the uncertainty of future operating results and/or market conditions deteriorating faster or more drastically than the forecasts utilized in management’s estimation of fair value, management believes some or all of the approximately $80 million of goodwill associated with the Company’s consumer auto reporting unit is at risk of future impairment.

 

Management concluded that no other reporting units are currently at risk of impairment, and the Company did not recognize any material goodwill or intangible asset impairment charges in fiscal years 2020, 2019, or 2018.

 

 

Leases

 

The Company leases certain real estate properties, vehicles, and equipment in various countries around the world. Leased properties are typically used for office space, distribution, and retail. The Company’s leases are classified as operating leases with remaining terms of 1 to 33 years, some of which include an option to extend or renew. If the exercise of an option to extend or renew is determined to be reasonably certain, the associated right-of-use asset and lease liability reflects the extended period and payments. For newly signed leases, the right-of-use asset and lease liability is recognized on lease commencement date. Variable lease costs, such as adjustments to payments based on consumer price indices, are excluded in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. For all real estate leases, any non-lease components, including common area maintenance, have been separated from lease components and excluded from the associated right-of-use asset and lease liability calculations. For all equipment and vehicle leases, an accounting policy election has been made to not separate lease and non-lease components.

 

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (“short-term leases”) are not recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as a right-of-use asset or lease liability.

 

Dividends

 

Under Swiss corporate law, dividends must be approved by shareholders at the general meeting of the Company’s shareholders.

On June 5, 2020, the shareholders approved a dividend of $2.44 per share (of which, $1.22 was paid in the Company’s 2020 fiscal year) payable in four equal installments on dates determined by the Board of Directors. The dates determined by the Board were as follows:

 

 

Dividend Date

 

Record Date

 

$s per share

 

June 30, 2020

 

June 15, 2020

 

$

0.61

 

September 30, 2020

 

September 15, 2020

 

$

0.61

 

December 31, 2020

 

December 15, 2020

 

$

0.61

 

March 31, 2021

 

March 15, 2021

 

$

0.61

 

 

The Company paid dividends in 2020 in the amount of $450,631, which included four dividend distributions in the fiscal year. Both the dividends paid and the remaining dividend payable were reported as a reduction of retained earnings.

 

On June 7, 2019, the shareholders approved a dividend of $2.28 per share (of which, $1.14 was paid in the Company’s 2019 fiscal year) payable in four equal installments on dates determined by the Board of Directors. The dates determined by the Board were as follows:

 

Dividend Date

 

Record Date

 

$s per share

 

June 28, 2019

 

June 17, 2019

 

$

0.57

 

September 30, 2019

 

September 16, 2019

 

$

0.57

 

December 31, 2019

 

December 16, 2019

 

$

0.57

 

March 31, 2020

 

March 16, 2020

 

$

0.57

 

 

 

The Company paid dividends in 2019 in the amount of $417,264, which included four dividend distributions in the fiscal year. Both the dividends paid and the remaining dividend payable were reported as a reduction of retained earnings.

 

On June 8, 2018, the shareholders approved a dividend of $2.12 per share (of which, $1.06 was paid in the Company’s 2018 fiscal year) payable in four equal installments on dates determined by the Board of Directors. The dates determined by the Board were as follows:

 

Dividend Date

 

Record Date

 

$s per share

 

June 29, 2018

 

June 18, 2018

 

$

0.53

 

September 28, 2018

 

September 14, 2018

 

$

0.53

 

December 31, 2018

 

December 14, 2018

 

$

0.53

 

March 29, 2019

 

March 15, 2019

 

$

0.53

 

 

The Company paid dividends in 2018 in the amount of $296,148, which included three dividend distributions in the fiscal year. Both the dividends paid and the remaining dividend payable were reported as a reduction of retained earnings.

 

Approximately $61,129 of retained earnings was indefinitely restricted from distribution to stockholders pursuant to the laws of Taiwan as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019.

      

Marketable Securities

Management determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date.

 

All of the Company’s marketable securities were considered available-for-sale at December 26, 2020. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 26, 2020, cumulative unrealized net gains of $20,474 were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related taxes. At December 28, 2019, cumulative unrealized net gains of $585 were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related taxes.

 

The Company recognizes impairments relating to credit losses of available-for-sale securities through an allowance for credit losses and Other income (expense) on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Impairment not relating to credit losses is recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Testing for impairment of investments requires significant management judgment. The identification of potentially impaired investments, the determination of their fair value, and the assessment of whether any decline in value is relating to credit losses are the key judgment elements. The discovery of new information and the passage of time can significantly change these judgments. Revisions of impairment judgments are made when new information becomes known, and any resulting impairment adjustments are made at that time. The economic environment and volatility of securities markets increase the difficulty of determining fair value and assessing investment impairment.

 

In making this assessment we evaluate the extent to which the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis, any change in credit rating of the security, adverse conditions specifically related to the security, failure of the issuer to make scheduled payments, and other relevant factors affecting the security. If it is determined that a credit loss exists, the amount of the credit loss is determined by comparing the present value of the expected future cash flows for the security to the amortized cost basis of the security, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis.

 

The amortized cost of debt securities classified as available-for-sale is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, or in the case of mortgage-backed securities, over the estimated life of the security. Such amortization and realized gains/losses are recorded within Interest income and Other income (expense), respectively, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

 

Investments are discussed in detail in Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with the FASB ASC 740 topic Income Taxes. The liability method provides that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the difference between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amount for financial reporting purposes as measured based on the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.

 

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes in accordance with the FASB ASC 740 topic Income Taxes. The Company recognizes liabilities based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves not to be required, the reversal of the liabilities results in tax benefits being recognized in the period when the Company determines the liabilities are no longer necessary. If the Company’s estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result.

 

Income taxes are discussed in detail in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue upon the transfer of control of promised products or services to the customer in an amount that depicts the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to for the related products or services. For the large majority of the Company’s sales, transfer of control occurs once product has shipped and title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer. The Company offers certain tangible products with ongoing services promised over a period of time, typically the useful life of the related tangible product. When such services have been identified as both capable of being distinct and separately identifiable from the related tangible product, the associated revenue allocated to such services is recognized over time. The Company generally does not offer specified or unspecified upgrade rights to its customers in connection with software sales.

 

The Company allocates revenue to all performance obligations associated with tangible products containing separately identifiable ongoing services based on the respective performance obligations’ relative standalone selling prices (“SSP”), with the amounts allocated to ongoing services deferred and recognized over a period of time. These ongoing services primarily consist of the Company’s contractual promises to provide personal navigation device (PND) users with map updates and server-based traffic services. In addition, we provide map update services (map care) over a contractual period in certain hardware and software contracts with original automotive equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The Company has determined that directly observable prices do not exist for map updates, map care, or server-based traffic, as stand-alone and unbundled unit sales do not occur on more than a limited basis. Therefore, the Company uses the expected cost plus a margin as the primary indicator to calculate relative SSP of map updates, map care, and traffic performance obligations. The revenue and associated costs allocated to map updates, map care, and/or the server-based traffic service are deferred and recognized ratably over the estimated life of the products of approximately 3 years for PNDs, or the estimated map care period in OEM contracts of 3-10 years as we believe our efforts related to providing these services are spread evenly throughout the performance period. In addition to the products listed above, the Company has offered certain other products with ongoing performance obligations including mobile applications, incremental navigation and communication service subscriptions, aviation database subscriptions, and extended warranties that are recognized over the contractual service period (typically 1-3 years).

 

 

The Company records revenue net of sales tax and variable consideration such as trade discounts and customer returns. Payment is due typically within 90 days or less of shipment of product, or upon the grant of a given software license (as applicable). The Company records estimated reductions to revenue in the form of variable consideration for customer sales programs, returns, and incentive offerings including rebates, price protection (product discounts offered to retailers to assist in clearing older products from their inventories in advance of new product releases), promotions, and other volume-based incentives. Cooperative advertising incentives payable to dealers and distributors are recorded as reductions of revenue unless we obtain proof of a distinct advertising service, in which case we record the incentive as advertising expense. The reductions to revenue are based on estimates and judgments using historical experience and expectation of future conditions. Changes in these estimates could negatively affect the Company’s operating results. These incentives are reviewed periodically and, with the exceptions of price protection and certain other promotions, typically accrued for on a percentage of sales basis.

 

Deferred Revenues and Costs

At December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, the Company had deferred revenues totaling $136,799 and $161,891, respectively, and related deferred costs totaling $36,655 and $48,598, respectively.

Deferred revenue consists primarily of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are recognized over a period of time basis as discussed in the Revenue Recognition portion of this footnote. Billings associated with such items are typically completed upon the transfer of control of promised products or services to the customer and recorded to accounts receivable until payment is received. Deferred costs primarily refer to the royalties incurred by the Company associated with the aforementioned unsatisfied performance obligations, which are amortized over the same period as the revenue is recognized. The Company typically pays the associated royalties either monthly or quarterly in arrears, on a per item shipped or installed basis.

 

The Company applies a practical expedient, as permitted within ASC 340, to expense as incurred the incremental costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period of the asset that would have otherwise been recognized is one year or less.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling activities are typically performed before the customer obtains control of the good, and the related costs are therefore expensed as incurred. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Product Warranty

The Company accrues for estimated future warranty costs at the time products are sold. The Company’s standard warranty obligation to retail partners generally provides for a right of return of any product for a full refund in the event that such product is not merchantable, is damaged, or is defective. The Company’s historical experience is that these types of warranty obligations are generally fulfilled within 5 months from time of sale. The Company’s standard warranty obligation to its end-users provides for a period of one to two years from date of shipment while certain aviation, marine, and auto OEM products have a warranty period of two years or more from the date of installation. The Company’s estimates of costs to service its warranty obligations are based on historical experience and management’s expectations and judgments of future conditions. To the extent the Company experiences increased warranty claim activity or increased costs associated with servicing those claims, its warranty accrual will increase, which may result in decreased gross profit. The following reconciliation presents details of the changes in the Company’s accrued warranty costs:

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

December 26, 2020

 

 

December 28, 2019

 

 

December 29, 2018

 

Balance - beginning of period

 

$

39,758

 

 

$

38,276

 

 

$

36,827

 

Accrual for products sold (1)

 

 

67,028

 

 

 

58,092

 

 

 

59,374

 

Expenditures

 

 

(64,143

)

 

 

(56,610

)

 

 

(57,925

)

Balance - end of period

 

$

42,643

 

 

$

39,758

 

 

$

38,276

 

(1) Changes in cost estimates related to pre-existing warranties were not material and aggregated with accruals for new warranty contracts in the ‘accrual for products sold’ line.

Advertising Costs

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense amounted to approximately $151,166, $164,456, and $155,394 for the years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018, respectively.

Research and Development

A majority of the Company’s research and development is performed in the United States. Research and development costs, which are typically expensed as incurred, amounted to approximately $705,685, $605,366, and $567,805 for the years ended December 26, 2020, December 28, 2019, and December 29, 2018, respectively.

Preproduction Costs Related to Long-Term Supply Arrangements

Preproduction design and development costs related to long-term supply arrangements are expensed as incurred, and classified as Research and development, unless the customer has provided a contractual guarantee for reimbursement of such costs. Contractually reimbursable costs are capitalized as incurred in the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Prepaid expenses and other current assets if reimbursement is expected to be received within one year, or within Other assets if expected to be received beyond one year. Such capitalized costs were approximately $63,610 and $24,267 as of December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, respectively.

Customer Service and Technical Support

Customer service and technical support costs are included as selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Customer service and technical support costs include costs associated with performing order processing, answering customer inquiries by telephone and through websites, e-mail and other electronic means, and providing free technical support assistance to customers. The technical support is typically provided within one year after the associated revenue is recognized. The related cost of providing this free support is not material.

 

Software Development Costs

 

The FASB ASC topic entitled Software requires companies to expense software development costs as they incur them until technological feasibility has been established, at which time those costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release to customers. The Company’s capitalized software development costs are not significant, as the time elapsed from working model to release is typically short. As required by the Research and Development topic of the FASB ASC, costs incurred to enhance our existing products or after the general release of the service using the product are expensed in the period they are incurred and included in research and development costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

 

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company currently sponsors three stock-based employee compensation plans. The FASB ASC topic entitled Compensation – Stock Compensation requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expenses for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options and restricted stock, based on estimated fair values.

 

Accounting guidance requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

As stock-based compensation expenses recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income are based on awards ultimately expected to vest, they have been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Accounting guidance requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience and management’s estimates.

 

Excess tax benefits or deficiencies from stock-based compensation are recognized in the income tax provision and are not estimated in the effective tax rate, rather, are recorded as discrete tax items in the period they occur. Excess income tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements are classified as a cash flow from operations.

 

Stock compensation plans are discussed in detail in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Financial Instruments – Credit Losses

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 changes how entities assess and measure credit losses of certain financial instruments, including available-for-sale securities and accounts receivable. The Company adopted the new standard as of the beginning of the 2020 fiscal year. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Topic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”), which shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium, requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The Company adopted the new standard as of the beginning of the 2020 fiscal year. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Leases

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. The FASB subsequently issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-10 and Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11 in July 2018, which provide clarifications and improvements to ASU 2016-02 (collectively, the “new lease standard”). Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11 also provides the optional transition method which allows companies to apply the new lease standard at the adoption date instead of at the earliest comparative period presented. The new lease standard requires lessees to present a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet.

 

The Company adopted the new lease standard as of the beginning of the 2019 fiscal year using the optional transition method. The Company did not have a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting the new lease standard and does not expect the new lease standard to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in future periods. The Company elected the package of transitional practical expedients upon adoption which, among other provisions, allowed the Company to carry forward historical lease classification. See Note 14 – Leases for additional information regarding leases.

Intangible – Goodwill and Other

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangible – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplify the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”) which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. ASU 2017-04 removes “step two” of the goodwill impairment test, such that a goodwill impairment charge is now the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. ASU 2017-04 is applied prospectively and was effective for fiscal years, or any goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption was permitted for any impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04 in the fourth quarter of the year ended December 28, 2019. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

We do not expect any recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, accounting policies, processes, or systems upon adoption.