XML 26 R10.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.0.1
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business and Operations — Bentley Systems, Incorporated (“Bentley” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation that was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania. The Company, together with its subsidiaries, is a leading global provider of infrastructure engineering software solutions for professionals and organizations involved in the project delivery and operational performance of infrastructure assets. The Company is dedicated to advancing infrastructure through its comprehensive software solutions that span engineering disciplines, assets, and lifecycle processes. The Company’s integrated software platform encompasses both the design and construction of infrastructure, which the Company refers to as project delivery, and the operation of infrastructure assets, which the Company refers to as asset performance. The Company’s software solutions are designed to enable information mobility for a more complete flow of information among applications, across distributed project teams, from offices to the field, and throughout the infrastructure lifecycle. The Company believes its solutions extend the reach and scope of digital engineering models from the project delivery phase into the asset performance phase of the infrastructure lifecycle, which enables engineers to make infrastructure assets more intelligent and sustainable. Users of the Company’s solutions include engineers and construction professionals who collaborate on project delivery, and owner‑operators who maintain, adapt, and optimize the performance of infrastructure assets.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in United States (“U.S.”) Dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company is party to a joint venture, which is accounted for using the equity method. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic related to the rapidly growing outbreak of the disease COVID‑19, caused by a novel strain of coronavirus, SARS‑CoV‑2. The COVID-19 pandemic has created and may continue to create significant uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment which, in addition to other unforeseen effects of this pandemic, may adversely impact our results of operations. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, many of our estimates could require increased judgment and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. As events continue to evolve our estimates may change materially in future periods.
Examples of significant estimates and assumptions made by management include revenue recognition, the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, the fair value of stock consideration in conjunction with business combinations, the fair value of deferred compensation plan liabilities, the fair value of derivative financial instruments, the fair value of common stock (prior to the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”)), operating lease assets and liabilities, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, valuation allowances for tax assets, and accruals for uncertain tax positions.
Initial Public Offering — On September 25, 2020, the Company completed its IPO. The selling stockholders sold 12,360,991 shares of Class B Common Stock at a public offering price of $22.00 per share. The Company did not sell any shares in the IPO and did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Class B Common Stock sold by the selling stockholders (see Notes 13 and 15). For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $26,130 in Expenses associated with initial public offering in the consolidated statement of operations. These expenses included certain non‑recurring costs relating to the Company’s IPO, consisting of the payment of underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the sale of shares by the selling stockholders, professional fees, and other expenses.
Follow-On Public Offering — On November 17, 2020, the Company completed its follow‑on public offering of 11,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock at a public offering price of $32.00 per share (the “Follow‑On Offering”). The Company sold 9,603,965 shares of Class B Common Stock (inclusive of 1,500,000 shares sold upon the exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock). The selling stockholders sold 1,896,035 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Company received net proceeds of $294,429 after deducting expenses of $12,898. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Class B Common Stock sold by the selling stockholders. Expenses associated with the Follow‑On Offering included certain non‑recurring costs, consisting of the payment of underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the sale of shares by the Company, professional fees, and other expenses. The Company agreed to pay certain expenses in connection with the Follow‑On Offering on behalf of the selling stockholders and made an accounting policy election to offset these expenses against the Follow‑On Offering proceeds (see Note 13).
Convertible Senior Notes — On January 26, 2021, the Company completed a private offering of $690,000 of 0.125% convertible senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). The Company incurred $18,055 of expenses in connection with the 2026 Notes offering consisting of the payment of initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions, professional fees, and other expenses (“transaction costs”). In connection with the pricing of the 2026 Notes, the Company entered into capped call options with certain of the initial purchasers or their respective affiliates and certain other financial institutions. The capped call options are expected to reduce potential dilution to the Company’s Class B Common Stock upon any conversion of 2026 Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. The Company paid premiums of $25,530 in connection with the capped call options (see Note 10).
On June 28, 2021, the Company completed a private offering of $575,000 of 0.375% convertible senior notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). The Company incurred $15,065 of expenses in connection with the 2027 Notes offering consisting of transaction costs. In connection with the pricing of the 2027 Notes, the Company entered into capped call options with certain of the initial purchasers or their respective affiliates and certain other financial institutions. The capped call options are expected to reduce potential dilution to the Company’s Class B Common Stock upon any conversion of 2027 Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. The Company paid premiums of $25,875 in connection with the capped call options (see Note 10).
Special Dividend — On August 28, 2020, the Company’s board of directors declared a special dividend of $1.50 per share of the Company’s common stock ($392,489 in the aggregate) (the “Special Dividend”), payable to all stockholders of record as of August 31, 2020, including dividends which accrue on certain unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). The Company used its bank credit facility to pay the Special Dividend (see Note 10). In connection with the Special Dividend declaration, an in kind adjustment was made to phantom shares issuable pursuant to the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan (see Note 12) and the exercise price of all outstanding stock options at that time were reduced by $1.50, but not lower than $0.01 (see Note 15).
Segment — Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company defines its CODM to be its chief executive officer. The chief executive officer reviews the financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources, and evaluating the Company’s financial performance. Accordingly, the Company has determined it operates and manages its business in a single reportable operating segment, the development and marketing of computer software and related services. The Company markets its products and services through the Company’s offices in the U.S. and its wholly‑owned branches and subsidiaries internationally.
Business Combinations — The Company allocates the purchase price for each acquisition to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value at the respective acquisition date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the purchase price over the value of net identifiable assets acquired. While best estimates and assumptions are used to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, as well as contingent and non‑contingent consideration, where applicable, the Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. Any adjustments to estimated fair value are recorded to goodwill, provided that the Company is within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date) and that the Company continues to collect information to determine estimated fair value. Subsequent to the measurement period or the Company’s final determination of estimated fair value, whichever comes first, adjustments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. On June 17, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Seequent Holdings Limited (“Seequent”), a leader in software for geological and geophysical modeling, geotechnical stability, and cloud services for geodata management and collaboration, for $883,336 in cash, net of cash acquired, plus 3,141,342 shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock (see Note 4).
Revenue Recognition — Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 201409, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and related amendments (“Topic 606”) using the modified retrospective method. The Company recognizes revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. The Company generates revenues from subscriptions, perpetual licenses, and services (see Note 3).
With the adoption of Topic 606, the Company also adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 340‑40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs‑Contracts with Customers (“Topic 340‑40”). Under Topic 340‑40, the Company recognizes an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if the Company expects the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. The contract costs are amortized based on the economic life of the goods and services to which the contract costs relate. The Company has determined that costs under certain sales incentive programs meet the requirements to be capitalized. The Company applies a practical expedient to expense costs as incurred for costs to obtain a contract with a customer when the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs include the Company’s internal sales force compensation program and certain channel partner sales incentive programs for which the annual compensation is commensurate with annual sales activities.
Cost of Revenues — Cost of subscriptions and licenses includes salaries and other related costs, including the depreciation of property and equipment and the amortization of capitalized software costs associated with servicing software subscriptions, the amortization of intangible assets associated with acquired software and technology, channel partner compensation for providing sales coverage to subscribers, as well as cloud‑related costs incurred for servicing the Company’s customers using cloud deployed hosted solutions and those using the Company’s SELECT subscription offering. Cost of services includes salaries for internal and third‑party personnel and related overhead costs, including depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of capitalized software costs, for providing training, implementation, configuration, and customization services to customers.
Software Development Costs — The Company’s software development costs, including costs to develop software products or the software component of products to be sold, leased, or marketed to external accounts, before technological feasibility is reached, are included in Research and development in the consolidated statements of operations. Research and development expenses, which are generally expensed as incurred, primarily consist of personnel and related costs of the Company’s research and development staff, including colleagues’ salaries, incentives, and benefits, and costs of certain third‑party contractors, as well as allocated overhead costs. In general, technological feasibility is reached shortly before the release of such products and, as a result, development costs that meet the criteria for capitalization were not material for the periods presented.
Under its Accelerated Commercial Development Program (“ACDP”) (the Company’s structured approach to an in‑house business incubator function), the Company capitalizes certain development costs related to certain projects once technological feasibility is established. Technological feasibility is established when a detailed program design has been completed and documented, the Company has established that the necessary skills, hardware, and software technology are available to produce the product, and there are no unresolved high‑risk development issues. Once the software is ready for its intended use, amortization is recorded over the software’s estimated useful life (generally three years). For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, total costs capitalized under the ACDP were $6,608, $7,809, and $6,060, respectively. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, total ACDP related amortization recorded in Cost of subscriptions and licenses in the consolidated statements of operations was $7,020, $4,699, and $3,516, respectively.
Stock‑Based Compensation — The Company records all stock‑based compensation as an expense in the consolidated statements of operations measured at the grant date fair value of the award and is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The fair value of stock option awards is determined using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model. For all other equity‑based arrangements, the stock‑based compensation expense is based on the share price at the grant date (see Note 15).
Deferred Compensation — Under the amended and restated Bentley Systems, Incorporated Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DCP”), certain officers and key employees may defer all or any part of their incentive compensation, and the Company may make discretionary awards on behalf of such participants. Elective participant deferrals and discretionary Company awards are received in the form of phantom shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, which are valued for tax and accounting purposes in the same manner as actual shares of Class B Common Stock, and are recorded as stock‑based compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations (see Note 15).
In August 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved an amendment to the DCP, which offered to certain active executives in the DCP a one‑time, short‑term election to reallocate a limited portion of their DCP holdings from phantom shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock into other DCP phantom investment funds. The offer to reallocate was subject to a proration mechanism which adjusted the aggregate elections to a maximum of 1,500,000 phantom shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. This resulted in a reduction of 1,500,000 shares in both the basic and diluted count of Company shares.
While DCP participants’ investments in phantom shares remain equity classified, as they will be settled in shares of Class B Common Stock upon eventual distribution, the amendment and elections resulted in a change to liability classification for the reallocated phantom investments, as they will be settled in cash upon eventual distribution. As a result, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company reclassified cumulative compensation cost of $4,739 from Additional paid-in capital to Accruals and other current liabilities or Deferred compensation plan liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and recognized a compensation charge of $90,721 to Deferred compensation plan expenses in the consolidated statements of operations to record the reallocated deferred compensation plan liabilities at their fair value of $95,460. Subsequent to the one‑time reallocation, these diversified deferred compensation plan liabilities are marked to market at the end of each reporting period, with changes in the liabilities recorded as an expense (income) to Deferred compensation plan in the consolidated statements of operations (see Note 12).
Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation.
Advertising Expense — The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense of $2,396, $1,726, and $1,579 is included in Selling and marketing in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Derivative Arrangements — The Company records derivative instruments as an asset or liability measured at fair value and depending on the nature of the hedge, the corresponding changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations or comprehensive income. If the derivative is determined to be a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are offset against the change in the fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities through the consolidated statements of operations or recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes until the hedged item is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is recognized in earnings. Also, changes in the entire fair value of a derivative that is not designated as a hedge are recognized in earnings.
On March 31, 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $200,000 and a ten‑year term to reduce the interest rate risk associated with the Company’s Credit Facility (see Note 10). The interest rate swap is not designated as a hedging instrument for accounting purposes. The Company accounts for the interest rate swap as either an asset or a liability on the consolidated balance sheets and carries the derivative at fair value. Gains and losses from the change in fair value are recognized in Other income (expense), net and payments related to the interest rate swap are recognized in Interest expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. The bank counterparty to the derivative potentially exposes the Company to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance. To mitigate that risk, the Company only contracts with counterparties who meet the Company’s minimum requirements under its counterparty risk assessment process. The Company monitors counterparty risk on at least a quarterly basis and adjusts its exposure as necessary. The Company does not enter into derivative instrument transactions for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Translation — Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included in Other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. Dollars at the rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenue and expense amounts are translated at average rates during the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Income Taxes — The Company recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of net operating loss carryforwards, credit carryforwards, and temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the items are expected to reverse.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions based on an evaluation as to whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. This evaluation is based on all available evidence and assumes that the appropriate tax authorities have full knowledge of all relevant information concerning the tax position. The tax benefit recognized is based on the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest expense and penalties are included in Provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.
Net Income Per Share — Net income per share of Class A and Class B Common Stock amounts are computed using the two‑class method required for participating securities, using the treasury stock method for awards under the Company’s equity compensation plans and global employee stock purchase plan, and using the if‑converted method for the convertible senior notes in accordance with FASB ASU No. 2020‑06, Debt–Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470‑20) and Derivatives and Hedging–Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815‑40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (“ASU 2020‑06”). In addition, the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock is inclusive of undistributed shares held in the DCP as phantom shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock.
Fair Value Measurements — The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three‑level hierarchy, based on the priority of the inputs to the respective valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents consisted of money market funds and cash held in checking accounts maintained at various financial institutions. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — Accounts receivable represent receivables from customers for products and services invoiced by the Company for which payment is outstanding. Receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.
The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts for expected losses during the accounts receivable collection process. The allowance for doubtful accounts is presented separately in the consolidated balance sheets and reduces the accounts receivable balance to the net realizable value of the outstanding accounts and installment receivables. The development of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an expected loss model which considers historical write‑off and recovery experience, aging trends affecting specific accounts, and general operational factors affecting all accounts. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
The Company considers current economic trends and takes into account reasonable and supportable forecasts of future conditions when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. If circumstances relating to specific customers change or unanticipated changes occur in the general business environment, the Company’s estimate of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.
Activity related to the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
20212020
Balance, beginning of year$5,759 $7,274 
Bad debt allowance (recovery)
1,203 (1,000)
Write-offs(700)(812)
Foreign currency translation adjustments279 297 
Balance, end of year$6,541 $5,759 
Concentration of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of its cash and cash equivalents and receivables. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary. Generally, the Company requires no collateral from its customers. The Company maintains an allowance for potential credit losses, but historically has not experienced any significant losses related to individual customers or groups of customers in any particular industry or geographic area. No single customer accounted for more than 2.5% of the Company’s revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, or 2019.
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are deposited with financial institutions and invested in money market funds that the Company believes are of high credit quality.
Property and Equipment — Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight‑line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to 25 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvements or the lease term. Land is not depreciated. Depreciation for equipment commences once it is placed in service and depreciation for buildings and leasehold improvements commences once they are ready for their intended use. Estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
Useful Life
Building and improvements25years
Computer equipment and software3years
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment5years
Aircraft6years
Automobiles3years
Cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost of the asset and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
LeasesThe Company adopted FASB ASU No. 2016‑02 regarding FASB ASC Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”), as of January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method for all existing leases. Upon adoption, the Company recognized its lease assets and lease liabilities measured at the present value of all future fixed lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. The Company elected the package of practical expedients as permitted under the transition guidance, which allows the Company: (1) to not reassess whether any existing contracts are leases or contain a lease; (2) to not reassess the lease classification of existing leases; and (3) to not reassess treatment of initial direct costs for existing leases. Additionally, the Company elected the practical expedients to combine lease and non-lease components for new leases post adoption and to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. Upon adoption of Topic 842, the Company recognized right‑of‑use assets of $45,850 and lease liabilities of $47,666 calculated based on the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments as of the adoption date.
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right‑of‑use assets, Operating lease liabilities, and Long‑term operating lease liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease right‑of‑use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right‑of‑use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, if the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is determined based on the Company’s estimated credit rating, the term of the lease, economic environment where the asset resides, and full collateralization. The operating lease right‑of‑use assets also include any lease payments made and are reduced by any lease incentives. Options to extend or terminate the lease are considered in determining the lease term when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight‑line basis over the lease term. The Company’s operating leases are primarily for office facilities, office equipment, and automobiles. The Company’s finance lease is included in Property and equipment, net, Accruals and other current liabilities, and Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets — Intangible assets arise from acquisitions and principally consist of goodwill, trademarks, customer relationships, in‑process research and development, and acquired software and technology. Intangible assets, other than goodwill and in‑process research and development, are amortized on a straight‑line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from three to ten years.
Goodwill consists of the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce its fair value below its carrying amount. The Company operates as a single reporting unit.
In testing for goodwill impairment, the Company may first qualitatively assess whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that a goodwill impairment exists. If it is determined that a quantitative assessment is required, the Company will recognize goodwill impairment as the difference between the carrying amount of the reporting unit and it’s fair value, but not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill within the reporting unit. Based upon the Company’s most recent annual impairment assessment completed as of October 1, 2021, there were no indicators of impairment, and no impairment losses were recorded. There was no impairment of goodwill as a result of the Company’s annual impairment assessments conducted for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Long‑Lived Assets — The Company evaluates the recoverability of long‑lived assets, such as property and equipment, operating lease right‑of‑use assets, and amortizable intangible assets, in accordance with authoritative guidance on accounting for the impairment or disposal of long‑lived assets, which includes evaluating long‑lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long‑lived asset to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long‑lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. No impairment of long‑lived assets occurred for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Investments — The Company applies the cost method of accounting for its investment in which it does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Under the cost method, the Company records the investment based on original cost less impairments, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same investee. The Company’s share of income or loss of such companies is not included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company applies the equity method of accounting for its investment in which it does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Under the equity method, the Company recognizes its initial investment at cost and updates the carrying value of its investment by its proportional share of income or losses from the investment. In addition, the Company decreases the carrying value by any dividends received from the investee. The Company does not otherwise adjust the carrying value to reflect changes to the fair market value of the investment. The Company tests its investments for impairment whenever circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the investment may not be recoverable. No impairment of investments occurred for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019.
Guarantees — The Company’s software license agreements typically provide for indemnification of customers for intellectual property infringement claims. The Company also warrants to customers, when requested, that its software products operate substantially in accordance with standard specifications for a limited period of time. The Company has not incurred significant obligations under customer indemnification or warranty provisions historically and does not expect to incur significant obligations in the future. Accordingly, the Company does not maintain accruals for potential customer indemnification or warranty‑related obligations.