XML 30 R12.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.0.1
Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates, and Assumptions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Judgements And Estimates [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates, and Assumptions Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates, and Assumptions
Preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities, as well as the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the end of the reporting year. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability affected in future periods.

The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the transition to higher inflationary environments have contributed to increased global economic and financial volatility; however, there have been no significant impacts on the Company's results and management continues to monitor for any potential impacts on the operations and financial position of the Company.

Discussed below are the key management judgments and assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that may lead to a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

a)Revenue recognition
The Company accounts for its revenue from fixed-fee and variable-fee-with-ceiling contracts using the percentage of completion method, which requires estimates to be made for contract costs and revenues. Contract costs include direct labor, direct costs for subconsultants, and other expenditures that are recoverable directly from clients. Progress on jobs is regularly reviewed by management and estimated costs to complete are revised based on the information available at the end of each reporting period. Contract cost estimates are based on various assumptions that can result in a change to contract profitability from one financial reporting period to another. Assumptions are made about labor productivity, the complexity of the work to be performed, the performance of subconsultants, and the accuracy of original bid estimates. Estimating costs is subjective and requires management’s best judgments based on the information available at that time.

On an ongoing basis, estimated revenue is updated to reflect the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for providing goods and services. Revenue estimates are affected by various uncertainties that depend on the outcome of future events, including change orders, claims, and variable consideration.

Change orders are included in estimated revenue when management believes the Company has an enforceable right to the change order, the amount can be estimated reliably, and realization is highly probable. Claims against other parties, including subconsultants, are recognized as a reduction in costs using the same criteria. To evaluate these criteria, management considers the contractual or legal basis for the change order, the cause of any additional costs incurred, and the history of favorable negotiations for similar amounts. As change orders are not recognized until highly probable, it is possible for the Company to have substantial contract costs recognized in one accounting period and associated revenue or reductions in cost recognized in a later period.

The Company’s contracts may include variable consideration such as revenue based on costs incurred and contract provisions for performance-based incentives or penalties. Variable consideration is estimated by determining the most likely amount the Company expects to be entitled to, unless the contract includes a range of possible outcomes for performance-based amounts. In that case, the expected value is determined using a probability weighting of the range of possible outcomes. Variable consideration, including change orders approved as to scope but unapproved
as to price, is included in estimated revenue to the extent it is highly probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Estimates of variable consideration are based on historical experience, anticipated performance, and management’s best judgment based on the information available at the time.

Consideration in contracts with multiple performance obligations is allocated to the separate performance obligations based on estimates of stand-alone selling prices. The primary method used to estimate the stand-alone selling price is expected cost plus an appropriate margin. To determine the appropriate margin, management considers margins for comparable services under similar contracts in similar markets.

Changes in estimates are reflected in the period in which the circumstances that gave rise to the change became known and affect the Company’s revenue, unbilled receivables, contract assets, and deferred revenue.

b)Impairment of non-financial assets
Impairment exists when the carrying amount of an asset or CGU or group of CGUs exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal or its value in use. Fair value less costs to sell is based on a discounted cash flow model and observable market prices for an arm’s length transaction of similar assets, less incremental costs for disposing of the asset. The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model. The cash flows are derived from budgets over an appropriate number of years and do not include restructuring activities that the Company is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the asset’s performance of the CGU or group of CGUs being tested.

The Company validates its estimate of the fair value of each asset, CGU or group of CGUs, by comparing the resulting multiples to multiples derived from comparable public companies and comparable company transactions. The Company reconciles the total fair value of all CGUs and groups of CGUs with its market capitalization to determine whether the sum is reasonable. If the reconciliation indicates a significant difference between the external market capitalization and the fair value of the CGUs or groups of CGUs, the Company reviews and adjusts, if appropriate, the discount rate of the CGUs or groups of CGUs and considers whether the implied acquisition premium (if any) is reasonable in light of current market conditions. The fair value measurement is categorized as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy based on the significant inputs in the valuation technique used (note 4h).

Goodwill
To arrive at the estimated recoverable amount of goodwill, the Company uses estimates of economic and market information, including arm’s length transactions for similar assets, growth rates in revenues, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins, and cash expenditures. The Company estimates the recoverable amount by using the fair value less costs of disposal approach. It estimates fair value using market information and discounted after-tax cash flow projections, which is known as the income approach. The income approach uses a CGU's or group of CGUs' projection of estimated operating results and discounted cash flows based on a discount rate that reflects current market conditions and the risk of achieving the cash flows. The Company uses cash flow projections covering at least a five-year period derived from financial forecasts approved by senior management. To arrive at cash flow projections, the Company uses estimates of economic and market information over the projection period.

Lease assets and associated property and equipment
To arrive at the estimated recoverable amount of lease assets and associated property and equipment, the Company uses economic and market information, including arm's length transactions for similar assets, estimates of future changes in variable head lease payments, potential sublease terms and conditions, including the timing and amount of associated cash inflows and initial direct costs, and assumptions about the future use of associated property and equipment.

The Company estimates the recoverable amount by using the value in use approach. It estimates fair value using market information and probability weighted pre-tax cash flow projections discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU. The Company uses cash flow projections covering the remaining head lease term from financial forecasts approved by senior management.
c)Business combinations
In a business combination, the Company may acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of an acquired entity. The estimate of fair values for these transactions involves judgment to determine the fair values assigned to the tangible and intangible assets (i.e., backlog, client relationships, and trademarks) and the liabilities assumed on the acquisition. Determining fair values involves a variety of assumptions, including revenue growth rates, client retention rates, expected operating income, and discount rates.

From time to time, as a result of the timing of acquisitions in relation to the Company’s reporting schedule, certain estimates of fair values of assets and liabilities acquired may not be finalized at the initial time of reporting. These estimates are completed after the vendors’ final financial statements have been prepared and accepted by the Company, after detailed project portfolio reviews are performed, and when the valuations of intangible assets and other assets and liabilities acquired are finalized.

Assessments are performed on acquisition agreements with deferred or contingent consideration arrangements to determine whether the amounts payable represents business combination consideration or an arrangement that is separate from the business combination. Management applies judgment and the requirements of IFRS 3 to determine whether deferred or contingent arrangements are part of the business combination consideration.

d)Leases
Lease liabilities are discounted using the Company's incremental borrowing rate (IBR) when the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined.

The IBR is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the lease asset in a similar economic environment. The Company estimates the IBR based on the lease term, collateral assumptions, and the economic environment in which the lease is denominated.

e)Provision for self-insured liabilities and claims
In the normal conduct of operations, various legal claims are pending against the Company, alleging, among other things, breaches of contract or negligence in connection with the performance of its services. The Company carries professional liability insurance, subject to certain deductibles and policy limits, and self-insures certain risks, including professional liability, automobile liability, and employment practices liability. In some cases, the Company may be subject to claims for which it is only partly insured or completely insured. The accrual for self-insured liabilities includes estimates of the costs of reported claims and is based on management’s assumptions, including consideration of actuarial estimates. These estimates of loss are derived from loss history that is then subjected to actuarial techniques to determine the proposed liability. Actual losses may vary from those used in the actuarial projections. An increase or decrease in loss is recognized in the period that the loss is determined and increases or decreases the Company’s self-insured liabilities and reported expenses.

Damages assessed in connection with and the cost of defending such actions could be substantial and possibly in excess of policy limits, for which a range of possible outcomes are either not able to be estimated or not expected to be significant. However, based on advice and information provided by legal counsel, the Company’s previous experience with the settlement of similar claims, and the results of the annual actuarial review, management believes that the Company has recognized adequate provisions for probable and reasonably estimated liabilities associated with these claims. In addition, management believes that it has appropriate insurance in place to respond to and offset the cost of resolving these claims.

Due to uncertainties in the nature of the Company’s legal claims, such as the range of possible outcomes and the progress of the litigation, provisions for self-insured liabilities and claims involve estimates. The ultimate cost to resolve these claims may exceed or be less than that recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the ultimate cost to resolve these claims will not materially exceed the insurance coverage or provisions accrued and, therefore, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated statements of income and financial position.

f)Employee defined benefit plans
The cost of the defined benefit pension plans and the present value of the pension obligations are determined separately for each plan using actuarial valuations. An actuarial valuation involves making various assumptions that may differ from actual future developments. These include determining the discount rate, mortality rates, future salary
increases, inflation, and future pension increases. Due to the complexities involved in the valuation and its long-term nature, the defined benefit obligation and cost are highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions, particularly to the discount and mortality rates (although portions of the pension plans have protection against changes in the discount rate and improving mortality rates by utilizing annuities). All assumptions are reviewed annually.

In determining the appropriate discount rate, management considers the interest rates of corporate bonds in currencies consistent with the currencies of the post-employment obligation and that have an ‘AA’ rating or above, as set by an internationally acknowledged rating agency, and extrapolated as needed along the yield curve to correspond with the expected term of the benefit obligation.

The mortality rate is based on publicly available information in the actuarial profession’s publications plus any special geographical or occupational features of each plan’s membership. Mortality tables tend to change only at intervals in response to demographic changes. Future salary increases reflect the current estimate of management. Pension increases are calculated based on the terms of the individual plans and estimated future inflation rates.

In determining whether the purchase of a bulk annuity contract results in a settlement of the Company's defined benefit obligations, management considers the intent of the transaction as well as the degree to which the Company continues to retain the related risks and obligations.

g)Taxes
The Company’s income tax assets and liabilities are based on interpretations of income tax legislation across various jurisdictions, primarily in Canada, United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The Company’s effective tax rate can change from year to year based on the mix of income among jurisdictions, changes in tax laws in these jurisdictions, and changes in the estimated value of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company’s income tax expense reflects an estimate of the taxes it expects to pay for the current year, as well as a provision for changes arising in the values of deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year. The tax value of these assets and liabilities is impacted by factors such as accounting estimates inherent in these balances, management’s expectations about future operating results, previous tax audits, and differing interpretations of tax regulations by the taxable entity and the responsible tax authorities. Differences in interpretation may arise for a wide variety of issues, depending on the conditions prevailing in the respective legal entity’s domicile. Management regularly assesses the likelihood of recovering value from deferred tax assets, such as loss carryforwards, as well as from deferred tax depreciation of capital assets, and adjusts the tax provision accordingly.

Deferred tax assets are recognized for all unused tax losses to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the losses can be utilized. Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized based on the likely timing and the level of future taxable profits, together with future tax-planning strategies. If estimates change, the Company may be required to recognize an adjustment to its deferred income tax asset or liability and income tax expense.

Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations and the amount and timing of deferred taxable income. If the Company determines that it is not probable that a taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment, then an uncertain tax liability is recorded using either the most likely amount or the expected value method, depending on which method better predicts the resolution of the circumstances giving rise to the uncertainty.

Uncertain tax liabilities are presented as either income taxes payable or deferred tax liabilities. This depends on whether the uncertain tax liabilities are in respect of taxable profit for a period or income taxes payable in future periods in respect of taxable temporary differences.