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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2013

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, vehicle pooling costs, self-insured reserves, allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, purchase price allocations, long-lived asset and goodwill impairment calculations and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company provides a portfolio of services to its sellers and buyers that facilitate the sale and delivery of a vehicle from seller to buyer. These services include the ability to use the Company’s Internet sales technology and vehicle delivery, loading, title processing, preparation and storage. The Company evaluates multiple-element arrangements relative to its member and seller agreements.

The services provided to the seller of a vehicle involve disposing of a vehicle on the seller’s behalf and, under most of the Company’s current North American contracts, collecting the proceeds from the member. The Company applies Accounting Standard Update 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements (ASU 2009-13) for revenue recognition. Pre-sale services, including towing, title processing, preparation and storage, as well as sale fees and other enhancement services meet the criteria for separate units of accounting. The revenue associated with each service is recognized upon completion of the respective service, net of applicable rebates or allowances. For certain sellers who are charged a proportionate fee based on high bid of the vehicle, the revenue associated with the pre-sale services is recognized upon completion of the sale when the total arrangement is fixed and determinable. The estimated selling price of each service is determined based on management’s best estimate and allotted based on the relative selling price method.

Vehicle sales, where vehicles are purchased and remarketed on the Company’s own behalf, are recognized on the sale date, which is typically the point of high bid acceptance. Upon high bid acceptance, a legal binding contract is formed with the member, and the gross sales price is recorded as revenue.

The Company also provides a number of services to the buyer of the vehicle, charging a separate fee for each service. Each of these services has been assessed to determine whether the requirements have been met to separate them into units of accounting within a multiple-element arrangement. The Company has concluded that the sale and the post-sale services are separate units of accounting. The fees for sale services are recognized upon completion of the sale, and the fees for the post-sale services are recognized upon successful completion of those services using the relative selling price method.

The Company also charges members an annual registration fee for the right to participate in its vehicle sales program, which is recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement, and relist and late-payment fees, which are recognized upon receipt of payment by the member. No provision for returns has been established, as all sales are final with no right of return, although the Company provides for bad debt expense in the case of non-performance by its members or sellers.

The Company allocates arrangement consideration based upon management’s best estimate of the selling price of the separate units of accounting contained within an arrangement containing multiple deliverables. Significant inputs in the Company’s estimates of the selling price of separate units of accounting include market and pricing trends, pricing customization and practices, and profit objectives for the services.

Vehicle Pooling Costs

Vehicle Pooling Costs

The Company defers in vehicle pooling costs certain yard operation expenses associated with vehicles consigned to and received by the Company, but not sold as of the end of the period. The Company quantifies the deferred costs using a calculation that includes the number of vehicles at its facilities at the beginning and end of the period, the number of vehicles sold during the period and an allocation of certain yard operation costs of the period. The primary expenses allocated and deferred are certain facility costs, labor, transportation and vehicle processing. If the allocation factors change, then yard operation expenses could increase or decrease correspondingly in the future. These costs are expensed as vehicles are sold in the subsequent periods on an average cost basis.

The Company applies the provisions of accounting guidance for subsequent measurement of inventory to our vehicle pooling costs. The provision requires that items such as idle facility expense, double freight and re-handling costs be recognized as current period charges regardless of whether they meet the criteria of “abnormal” as provided in the guidance. In addition, the guidance requires that the allocation of fixed production overhead to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of production facilities.

In early November 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit the northeastern coast of the United States. As a result of the extensive flooding that it caused, the Company expended additional costs for (i) temporary storage facilities; (ii) premiums for subhaulers as they were reassigned from other regions; and (iii) labor costs incurred for overtime, travel and lodging due to the reassignment of employees to the affected region. These costs, which are characterized as “abnormal” under ASC 330, Inventory, were expensed as incurred and not included in inventory. At July 31, 2013, the incremental salvage vehicles received as a result of Hurricane Sandy have been sold.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company records foreign currency translation adjustments from the process of translating the functional currency of the financial statements of its foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar reporting currency. The Canadian dollar, the British pound, the U.A.E. dirham, the Brazilian real and the Euro are the functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries as they are the primary currencies within the economic environment in which each subsidiary operates. The original equity investment in the respective subsidiaries is translated at historical rates. Assets and liabilities of the respective subsidiary’s operations are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates in effect during each reporting period. Adjustments resulting from the translation of each subsidiary’s financial statements are reported in other comprehensive income.

The cumulative effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations are as follows (in thousands):

Cumulative loss on foreign currency translation as of July 31, 2011	$	(23,225	)
Loss on foreign currency translation		(11,708	)
Cumulative loss on foreign currency translation as of July 31, 2012	$	(34,933	)
Loss on foreign currency translation		(10,487	)
Cumulative loss on foreign currency translation as of July 31, 2013	$	(45,420	)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles. In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, as amended by Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, the Company considers fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants under current market conditions. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Level I	Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
Level II	Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Interest rate hedges are valued at exit prices obtained from the counter-party.
Level III	Inputs that are generally unobservable. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate

The amounts recorded for financial instruments in the Company's consolidated financial statements, which included cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values as of July 31, 2013 and July 31, 2012, due to the short-term nature of those instruments, and are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy. Cash equivalents are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices of the underlying investments. See Note 9. Long-Term Debt for fair value disclosures related to the Company’s long-term debt.

Derivatives and Hedging

Derivatives and Hedging

The Company has entered into two interest rate swaps to eliminate interest rate risk on the Company’s variable rate Term Loan, and the swaps are designated as effective cash flow hedges under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (see Note 10. Derivatives and Hedging). Each quarter, the Company measures hedge effectiveness using the ”hypothetical derivative method” and records in earnings any hedge ineffectiveness with the effective portion of the hedges change in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income or loss.

Cost of Vehicle Sales

Cost of Vehicle Sales

Cost of vehicle sales includes the purchase price of vehicles sold for the Company’s own account.

Yard Operations

Yard Operations

Yard operations consist primarily of operating personnel (which includes yard management, clerical and yard employees), rent, contract vehicle towing, insurance, fuel and equipment maintenance and repair. The Company recognizes, within yard operation expenses, the costs of pre-sale services, including towing, title processing, and preparation and storage, at the time the related services are provided.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of executive, accounting and data processing, sales personnel, professional services, system maintenance and enhancements and marketing expenses.

Advertising

Advertising

All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income. Advertising expenses were $5.0 million, $6.5 million and $8.8 million in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Other (Expense) Income

Other (Expense) Income

Other (expense) income consists primarily of interest expense, interest income, gains and losses from the disposal of fixed assets and rental income.

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share amounts were computed by dividing consolidated net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share amounts were computed by dividing consolidated net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares calculated for stock options outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in checking and money market accounts. The Company periodically invests its excess cash in money market funds and U.S. Treasury Bills. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are placed with high credit quality financial institutions. The Company generally classifies its investment portfolio not otherwise qualifying as cash and cash equivalents as available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. Unrealized losses are charged against income when a decline in the fair market value of an individual security is determined to be other than temporary. Realized gains and losses on investments are included in interest income.

Bank Overdraft

Bank Overdraft

As a result of maintaining a consolidated cash management system, the Company utilizes controlled disbursement bank accounts. These accounts are funded as checks are presented for payment, not when checks are issued. The resulting bank overdraft position is included in current liabilities.

Inventory

Inventory

Inventories of purchased vehicles are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. Cost includes the Company’s cost of acquiring ownership of the vehicle. The cost of vehicles sold is charged to cost of vehicle sales as sold on a specific identification basis.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable, which consist primarily of advance charges due from insurance companies and the gross sales price of the vehicle due from members, are recorded when billed, advanced or accrued and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts in order to provide for estimated losses resulting from disputed amounts billed to sellers or members and the inability of sellers or members to make required payments. If billing disputes exceed expectations and/or if the financial condition of sellers or members were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required. The allowance is calculated by considering both seller and member accounts receivables written off during the previous 12 month period as a percentage of the total accounts receivable balance.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which subject the Company to potential credit risk, consist of its cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company adheres to its investment policy when placing investments. The investment policy has established guidelines to limit the Company’s exposure to credit expense by placing investments with high credit quality financial institutions, diversifying its investment portfolio, limiting investments in any one issuer or pooled fund and placing investments with maturities that maintain safety and liquidity. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions. Deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided; however, these deposits typically are redeemable upon demand and, therefore, the Company believes that the financial risks associated with these financial instruments are minimal.

The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers, and generally does not require collateral on its accounts receivable. The Company estimates its allowances for doubtful accounts based on historical collection trends, the age of outstanding receivables and existing economic conditions. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past-due account balances are written off when the Company’s internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due. The Company does not have off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers and to date, the Company has not experienced significant credit related losses.

No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011. At July 31, 2013, one customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivables and at July 31, 2012 no single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivables.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the respective improvements, which is between 5 and 10 years. Significant improvements which substantially extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of: 3 to 5 years for internally developed or purchased software; 3 to 7 years for transportation and other equipment; 3 to 10 years for office furniture and equipment; and 15 to 40 years or the lease term, whichever is shorter, for buildings and improvements. Amortization of equipment under capital leases is included in depreciation expense.

Long-Lived Asset Valuation

Long-Lived Asset Valuation

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, a long-lived asset is initially measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value. An impairment loss is recognized when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset. The impairment loss is then calculated by comparing the carrying amount with its fair value, which is usually estimated using discounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use of the asset.

Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets

In accordance with ASC 350-30-35, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for potential impairment, at a minimum on an annual basis, or when indications of potential impairment exist. The Company performed its annual impairment test for goodwill during the fourth quarter of its 2013 fiscal year utilizing a market value and discounted cash flow approach. The impairment test for identifiable intangible assets not subject to amortization is also performed annually or when impairment indicators exist. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment using a process similar to that used to evaluate other long-lived assets.

Assets Held for Sale

Assets Held for Sale

The Company has removed certain assets from operations and offered them for sale. These assets, which include certain real estate, are reflected at their fair market value in the financial statements and are a Level II fair value measurement based on sales transactions of similar assets. During the year ended July 31, 2012, the Company recorded an impairment of $8.8 million associated with the write down to fair market value of these assets held for sale.

Retained Insurance Liabilities

Retained Insurance Liabilities

The Company is partially self-insured for certain losses related to medical, general liability, workers’ compensation and auto liability. The Company’s insurance policies are subject to a $250,000 deductible per claim, with the exception of its medical policy which is $225,000 per claim. In addition, each of the Company’s policies contains an aggregate stop loss which limits its ultimate exposure. The Company’s liability represents an estimate of the ultimate cost of claims incurred as of the balance sheet date. The estimated liability is not discounted and is established based upon analysis of historical data and actuarial estimates. The primary estimates used in the actuarial analysis include total payroll and revenue. The Company’s estimates have not materially fluctuated from actual results. While the Company believes these estimates are reasonable based on the information currently available, if actual trends, including the severity of claims and medical cost inflation, differ from the Company’s estimates, the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows could be impacted. The process of determining the Company’s insurance reserves requires estimates with various assumptions, each of which can positively or negatively impact those balances. As of July 31, 2013 and 2012 the total amount reserved for related self-insured claims is $6.1 million and $5.7 million, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for our stock-based awards to employees and non-employees using the fair value method as required by ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (ASC 718), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees, consultants and directors based on estimated fair value. The Company adopted ASC 718 using the modified-prospective transition method. Under this transition method, stock-based compensation cost recognized in the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 includes stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of August 1, 2005, based on the measurement date (generally the grant date) fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of ASC 718, and stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards granted subsequent to August 1, 2005, based on the measurement date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718. ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the measurement date using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized in expense over the requisite service periods. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and because changes in the input assumptions can materially affect their fair value estimate, it is the Company’s opinion that the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the employee stock options.

The fair value of each option was estimated on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes Merton (BSM) option-pricing model utilizing the following assumptions:

	July 31, 2013			July 31, 2012			July 31, 2011
Expected life (in years)		5.2 – 6.9			5.2 – 6.8			5.3 – 6.8
Risk-free interest rate		.61 – 1.5	%		.68 – 1.7	%		1.7 – 2.9	%
Estimated volatility		24 – 26	%		24 – 26	%		26 – 31	%
Expected dividends		0	%		0	%		0	%
Weighted average fair value at measurement date	$	7.87		$	6.01		$	6.59

Expected life—The Company’s expected life represents the period that the Company’s stock-based payment awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based payment awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its stock-based payment awards.

Estimated volatility—The Company uses the trading history of its common stock in determining an estimated volatility factor when using the BSM option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted.

Expected dividend—The Company has not declared dividends. Therefore, the Company uses a zero value for the expected dividend value factor when using the BSM option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted.

Risk-free interest rate—The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the BSM option-pricing model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with the same or substantially equivalent expected life.

Estimated forfeitures—When estimating forfeitures, the Company considers voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual option forfeitures.

Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $21.4 million, $13.7 million and $7.1 million for the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively. The Company realized an income tax benefit of $6.1 million, $4.4 million and $3.5 million from stock option exercises during the years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 respectively. In accordance with ASC 718, the Company presents excess tax benefits from disqualifying dispositions of the exercise of incentive stock options, vested prior to August 1, 2005, if any, as financing cash flows rather than operating cash flows.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholders’ equity during a period from non-stockholder sources. For the years ended July 31, 2013 and 2012 accumulated other comprehensive loss was the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments and the effective portion of the interest rate swaps’ change in fair value. For the year ended July 31, 2011 the only item in accumulated other comprehensive loss was the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments. Deferred taxes are not provided on cumulative translation adjustments where the Company expects earnings of a foreign subsidiary to be indefinitely reinvested.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting

The Company’s North American region and its United Kingdom region are considered two separate operating segments, which have been aggregated into one reportable segment because they share similar economic characteristics.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Under ASU 2011-04 the guidance amends certain accounting and disclosure requirements to ensure that fair value has the same meaning in U.S. GAAP and in IFRS and that the respective fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are the same. ASU 2011-04 is effective for public entities during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company's adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends current comprehensive income guidance. This accounting update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity. Instead comprehensive income must be reported in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for public entities during the interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company's adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which simplifies how entities test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 gives entities the option, under certain circumstances, to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether further impairment testing is necessary. ASU 2011-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company's adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which amended the guidance in ASU 2011-08 to simplify the testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment. ASU 2012-02 is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning September 15, 2012. The Company's adoption of ASU 2012-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial position.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which amends ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income.” The amended guidance requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. Additionally, entities are required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. The amended guidance does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company's adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated results of operations and financial position.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the classifications used in fiscal 2013.