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Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies | 1. Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies Description of Business TransUnion develops, maintains and enhances a number of secured proprietary information databases to support its operations. These databases contain payment history, accounts receivable information, and other information such as bankruptcies, liens and judgments for consumers and businesses. We maintain reference databases of current consumer names, addresses and telephone numbers which are used for identity verification and fraud management solutions. We obtain this information from a variety of sources, including credit-granting institutions and public records. We build and maintain these databases using our proprietary information management systems, and make the data available to our customers through a variety of services. These services are offered to customers in a number of industries including financial services, insurance, collections and healthcare. We have operations in the United States, Africa, Canada and other international locations. Basis of Presentation Substantially all of TransUnion Corp.’s net assets are owned by TransUnion Holding Company, Inc. (“TransUnion Holding”) and substantially all of TransUnion Holding’s operations are conducted by TransUnion Corp. All of the significant accounting and reporting policies pertain to both TransUnion Holding and TransUnion Corp. This Annual Report on Form 10-K is a combined report being filed separately by TransUnion Holding and TransUnion Corp., a direct 100% owned subsidiary of TransUnion Holding. Unless the context indicates otherwise, any reference in this report to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refers to TransUnion Holding with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including TransUnion Corp., or to TransUnion Corp. and its subsidiaries for periods prior to the forming of TransUnion Holding. Each registrant included herein is filing on its own behalf all of the information contained in this quarterly report that pertains to such registrant. When appropriate, TransUnion Holding and TransUnion Corp. are named explicitly for their specific related disclosures. Each registrant included herein is not filing any information that does not relate to such registrant, and therefore makes no representation as to any such information. Where the information provided is substantially the same for each company, such information has been combined in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Where information is not substantially the same for each company, we have provided separate information. In addition, separate financial statements for each company are included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” 2012 Change in Control Transaction TransUnion Holding was formed by affiliates of Advent International Corporation (“Advent”) and Goldman Sachs & Co. (“GSC”) on February 15, 2012 as a vehicle to acquire 100% of the outstanding common stock of TransUnion Corp. On April 30, 2012, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, TransUnion Holding acquired TransUnion Corp. As a result, TransUnion Corp. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TransUnion Holding. To partially fund the acquisition, TransUnion Holding issued $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.625%/10.375% senior PIK toggle notes due 2018 (9.625% notes). We also increased the revolving commitment amount under our senior secured revolving credit facility by $10.0 million, from $200.0 million to $210.0 million, and extended the maturity date of $155.0 million of the revolving commitment to February 10, 2017. We refer to these transactions collectively as the 2012 Change in Control Transaction. The 2012 Change in Control Transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations. The guidance prescribes that the basis of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at fair value on the acquirer’s books to reflect the purchase price. Under the guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5J, “New Basis of Accounting Required in Certain Circumstances,” the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have also been pushed-down to TransUnion Corp.’s books. TransUnion Corp. continues to operate as the same legal entity subsequent to the 2012 Change in Control Transaction. On TransUnion Corp.’s financial statements, periods prior to May 1, 2012, reflect the financial position, results of operations, and changes in financial position of TransUnion Corp. prior to the 2012 Change in Control Transaction (referred to herein as the “Predecessor”) and periods after April 30, 2012, reflect the financial position, results of operations, and changes in financial position of TransUnion Corp. after the 2012 Change in Control Transaction (referred to herein as the “Successor”). In these combined Notes, amounts as of December 31, 2011, and for the periods ended April 30, 2012, and earlier, reflect the activity of the Predecessor. Periods after the 2012 Change in Control Transaction are not comparable to prior periods primarily due to the significant additional stock-based compensation and transactions costs incurred by TransUnion Corp. Predecessor and the additional amortization of intangibles in subsequent periods resulting from the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and additional interest expense on the 9.625% notes incurred by TransUnion Corp. Successor. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of TransUnion Holding Company and Subsidiaries and of TransUnion Corp. and Subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Our consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Subsequent Events Events and transactions occurring through the date of issuance of the financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K have been evaluated by management, and when appropriate, recognized or disclosed in the financial statements. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements of TransUnion Holding include the accounts of TransUnion Holding and its 100% owned subsidiary, TransUnion Corp. The consolidated financial statements of TransUnion Corp. include the accounts of TransUnion Corp. and all of its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. Investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has at least a 20% ownership interest, or where it is able to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the equity method. Nonmarketable investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has less than a 20% ownership interest, or where it is not able to exercise significant influence, are accounted for using the cost method and periodically reviewed for impairment. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported. We believe that the estimates used in preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are reasonable, based upon information available to management at this time. These estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, as well as the amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Estimates are inherently uncertain and actual results could differ materially from the estimated amounts. Reclassifications We have reclassified the December 31, 2011, carrying value of internal use software, $93.4 million net of accumulated amortization, from property, plant and equipment to other intangibles to conform to the current period presentation. Segments We manage our business and report our financial results in three operating segments: U.S. Information Services (“USIS”); International; and Interactive. We also report expenses for Corporate, which provides support services to each operating segment. Details of our segment results are discussed in Note 19, “Operating Segments.” Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the pricing is fixed or determinable and the collectability is reasonably assured. For multiple element arrangements, we separate deliverables into units of accounting and recognize revenue for each unit of accounting based on evidence of each unit’s relative selling price to the total arrangement consideration, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from providing information services to our customers. This revenue is recognized when services are provided, assuming all criteria for revenue recognition are met. A smaller portion of our revenue relates to subscription-based contracts where a customer pays a predetermined fee for a predetermined, or unlimited, number of transactions or services during the subscription period. Revenue related to subscription-based contracts having a preset number of transactions is recognized as the services are provided, using an effective transaction rate as the actual transactions are completed. Any remaining revenue related to unfulfilled units is not recognized until the end of the related contract’s subscription period. Revenue related to subscription-based contracts having an unlimited volume is recognized straight line over the contract term. We also earn revenue for the development of decisioning or statistical models, which is recognized upon installation and acceptance of the model by the customer. Deferred revenue generally consists of amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized for the sale of data services, subscriptions and set up fees. Deferred revenue is included in other current liabilities. Costs of Services Costs of services include data acquisition and royalty fees, personnel costs related to our databases and software applications, consumer and call center support costs, hardware and software maintenance costs, telecommunication expenses and occupancy costs associated with the facilities where these functions are performed. Cost of services included research and development costs of TransUnion Corp. Successor of $7.6 million for the eight months ended December 31, 2012. Cost of services included research and development costs for TransUnion Corp. Predecessor of $3.7 million, $7.8 million and $6.9 million for the four months ended April 30, 2012, and the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses include personnel-related costs for sales, administrative and management employees, costs for professional and consulting services, advertising and occupancy and facilities expense of these functions. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs of TransUnion Corp. Successor were $19.2 million for the eight months ended December 31, 2012. Advertising costs of TransUnion Corp. Predecessor were $15.5 million, $32.8 million and $31.4 million for the four months ended April 30, 2012, and the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation Compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards is determined using the grant date fair value and includes an estimate for expected forfeitures. Expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally equal to the vesting period. The details of our stock-based compensation program are discussed in Note 15, “Stock-Based Compensation.” Income Taxes Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, as measured by current enacted tax rates. The effect of a tax rate change on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date of the change. We periodically assess the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, and a valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. See Note 14, “Income Taxes,” for additional information. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for each of our foreign subsidiaries is generally that subsidiary’s local currency. We translate the assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries at the year-end exchange rate, and translate revenues and expenses at the monthly average rates during the year. We record the resulting translation adjustment as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred. Exchange rate gains of TransUnion Corp. Successor for the eight months ended December 31, 2012, were less than $0.1 million. Exchange rate gains of TransUnion Corp. Predecessor for the fourth months ended April 30, 2012, were $0.2 million. Exchange rate losses of TransUnion Corp. Predecessor for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, were $2.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider investments in highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Trade Accounts Receivable Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our historical write-off experience, analysis of the aging of outstanding receivables, customer payment patterns and the establishment of specific reserves for customers in adverse financial condition or for existing contractual disputes. Adjustments to the allowance are recorded as a bad debt expense in selling, general and administrative expenses. Trade receivables are written off against the allowance when they are determined to be no longer collectible. We reassess the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts each reporting period. Long-Lived Assets Property, Plant, Equipment and Intangibles Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost for periods prior to the 2012 Change in Control Transaction. On the date of the transaction, all property, plant and equipment was adjusted to fair value. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings and building improvements are generally depreciated over twenty years. Computer equipment and purchased software are depreciated over three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term. Other assets are depreciated over five to seven years. Intangibles, other than indefinite-lived intangibles, are amortized using the straight-line method over their economic life, generally three to forty years. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the consolidated balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. See Note 2, “Change in Control Transactions,” Note 5, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” and Note 7, “Purchased Intangible Assets,” for additional information about these assets. Internal Use Software We monitor the activities of each of our internal use software and system development projects and analyze the associated costs, making an appropriate distinction between costs to be expensed and costs to be capitalized. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Many of the costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized, including costs of software design and configuration, development of interfaces, coding, testing and installation of the software. Once the software is ready for its intended use, it is amortized on a straight-line basis over its useful life, generally three to seven years. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets We review long-lived assets that are subject to amortization for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. During 2011, we recorded a $2.0 million impairment of software due to a regulatory change that requires a software platform change in our USIS segment. No significant impairment charges were recorded during 2012 or 2010. Marketable Securities We classify our investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with our intent and ability to hold the investments. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, and are classified as either short-term or long-term investments based on the contractual maturity date. Earnings from these securities are reported as a component of interest income. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Trading securities are carried at fair market value, with unrealized gains and losses included in income. We follow the fair value guidance issued by the FASB to measure the fair value of our financial assets as further described below. Details of our marketable securities are included in Note 4, “Marketable Securities.” We periodically review our marketable securities to determine if there is an other-than-temporary impairment on any security. If it is determined that an other-than-temporary decline in value exists, we write down the investment to its market value and record the related impairment loss in other income. Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangibles Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are allocated to various reporting units, which are an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis, in the fourth quarter, or on an interim basis if an indicator of impairment is present. For goodwill, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying amount to determine if there is potential goodwill impairment. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of its goodwill. For other indefinite-lived intangibles, we compare the fair value of the asset to its carrying value to determine if there is an impairment. If the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded. We use discounted cash flow techniques to determine the fair value of our reporting units and other indefinite-lived intangibles. See Note 6, “Goodwill,” and Note 7, “Purchased Intangible Assets,” for additional information about these assets. Benefit Plans We maintain a 401(k) defined contribution profit sharing plan for eligible employees. We provide a partial matching contribution and a discretionary contribution based on a fixed percentage of a participant’s eligible compensation. TransUnion Corp. Successor expense related to this plan was $6.9 million for the eight months ended December 31, 2012. TransUnion Corp. Predecessor expense related to this plan was $4.8 million, $10.1 million and $10.5 million for the four months ended April 30, 2012, and the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We also maintain a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for certain key employees. The deferred compensation plan contains both employee deferred compensation and company contributions. These investments are held in the TransUnion Rabbi Trust, and are included in other marketable securities and other assets on the balance sheet. The assets held in the Rabbi Trust are for the benefit of the participants in the deferred compensation plan, but are available to our general creditors in the case of our insolvency. The liability for amounts due to these participants is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the balance sheet. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income—Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The objective of ASU 2011-05 is to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. This ASU requires companies to present items of net income, other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income in one continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, ASU 2011-05 was modified by the issuance of ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. This update deferred certain paragraphs of ASU 2011-05 that would require reclassifications of items from other comprehensive income to net income by component of net income and by component of other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. The changes in these updates are required to be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. TransUnion Holding adopted these standards upon inception and TransUnion Corp. adopted these standards on January 1, 2012, and now present comprehensive income in a separate statement following the statement of income. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Testing Goodwill for Impairment. The objective of ASU 2011-08 is to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment. Under the new requirements, the Company will have the option 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. If the Company determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, further quantitative testing is not required. The changes in this update are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. TransUnion Holding adopted this standard upon inception and TransUnion Corp. adopted this standard on January 1, 2012. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncement Not Yet Adopted There are no recent accounting pronouncements that have not yet been adopted.

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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/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18861-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18743-107790 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18854-107790 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18726-107790 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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