2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of WESCO International and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements

In the third quarter of 2017, management determined that the Company's income taxes receivable and payable and other tax account balances were overstated as of December 31, 2016 by a cumulative net amount of $46.4 million, which related to multiple prior periods. The Company also identified a $10.2 million understatement related to deferred income taxes and goodwill. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99, Materiality, and SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, management concluded that these misstatements are not material to the Company's previously issued annual and interim financial statements. Correcting the effected financial statement line items in the year ended December 31, 2017 would have materially misstated the consolidated financial statements presented herein. Accordingly, the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016 and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been revised in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. There was an immaterial effect on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and no effect on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for such periods.

The following table presents the effects on the financial statement line items that were revised:



	December 31, 2016
	As Reported			Adjustment			As Revised
	(In thousands)
Income taxes receivable	$	72,881		$	(67,156	)	$	5,725
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	48,583			(2,223		)	46,360
Total current assets	2,172,457			(69,379		)	2,103,078
Goodwill	1,720,714			10,236			1,730,950
Total assets	4,490,984			(59,143		)	4,431,841
Income taxes payable	32,879			(22,998		)	9,881
Total current liabilities	896,797			(22,998		)	873,799
Deferred income taxes	158,009			10,236			168,245
Total liabilities	2,480,972			(12,762		)	2,468,210
Retained earnings ⁽¹⁾	1,956,532			(41,775		)	1,914,757
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ⁽¹⁾	(387,365		)	(4,606		)	(391,971		)
Total WESCO International, Inc. stockholders' equity	2,013,281			(46,381		)	1,966,900
Total stockholders' equity	2,010,012			(46,381		)	1,963,631
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,490,984			(59,143		)	4,431,841


⁽¹⁾	These financial statement line items have been revised as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions WESCO may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from the estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized for product sales when title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer or for services when the service is rendered. In the case of stock sales and special orders, a sale occurs at the time of shipment from WESCO's distribution point, as the terms of WESCO’s sales are typically FOB shipping point. In cases where WESCO processes customer orders that ship directly from suppliers, revenue is recognized once the product is shipped and title has passed. In all cases, revenue is recognized once the sales price to the customer is fixed or is determinable and WESCO has reasonable assurance as to the collectability.

WESCO provides integrated supply services to certain customers, which include some or all of the following: determine inventory stocking levels; establish inventory reorder points; launch purchase orders; receive material; pack away material; and, pick material for order fulfillment. WESCO recognizes revenue for these services in the period rendered based upon a previously negotiated fee arrangement. WESCO also sells inventory to these customers and recognizes revenue at the time title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. The amount of revenue recognized for integrated supply services totaled $26.2 million, $27.1 million, and $35.1 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

WESCO includes warehousing, purchasing, branch operations, information services, and marketing and selling expenses in this category, as well as other types of general and administrative costs.

Supplier Volume Rebates

WESCO receives volume rebates from certain suppliers based on contractual arrangements with such suppliers. Volume rebates are included within other accounts receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and represent the estimated amounts due to WESCO under the rebate provisions of the various supplier contracts. The corresponding rebate income is derived from the level of actual purchases made by WESCO and is recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold. Receivables under the supplier rebate program were $72.7 million at December 31, 2017 and $64.2 million at December 31, 2016. Supplier volume rebate rates have historically ranged between approximately 0.9% and 1.4% of sales depending on market conditions. In 2017, the rebate rate was 1.3%.

Shipping and Handling Costs and Fees

WESCO records the costs and fees associated with transporting its products to customers as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs totaled $61.8 million, $57.9 million and $59.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased.

Asset Securitization

WESCO maintains control of the receivables transferred pursuant to its accounts receivable securitization program (the “Receivables Facility”); therefore, the transfers do not qualify for “sale” treatment. As a result, the transferred receivables remain on the balance sheet, and WESCO recognizes the related secured borrowing. The expenses associated with the Receivables Facility are reported as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

WESCO maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. WESCO has a systematic procedure using estimates based on historical data and reasonable assumptions of collectability made at the local branch level and on a consolidated corporate basis to calculate the allowance for doubtful accounts. If the financial condition of WESCO’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $21.3 million at December 31, 2017 and $22.0 million at December 31, 2016. The total amount recorded as selling, general and administrative expense related to bad debts was $8.5 million, $5.9 million and $6.1 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories primarily consist of merchandise purchased for resale and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined principally under the average cost method. WESCO makes provisions for obsolete or slow-moving inventories as necessary to reflect reductions in value. WESCO writes down its inventories to net realizable value based on internal factors derived from historical analysis of actual losses. On a retrospective basis, WESCO identifies items in excess of 36 months supply relative to demand or movement. WESCO then analyzes the ultimate disposition of identified excess inventories as they are sold, returned to supplier, or scrapped. This historical item-by-item analysis allows WESCO to develop an estimate of the likelihood that an item identified as being in excess supply ultimately becomes obsolete. WESCO applies the estimate to inventories currently in excess of 36 months supply, and reduces the carrying value of its inventories by the derived amount. Reserves for excess and obsolete inventories were $28.6 million and $27.3 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The total expense related to excess and obsolete inventories, included in cost of goods sold, was $8.8 million, $7.3 million and $8.6 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. WESCO absorbs into the cost of inventories certain overhead expenses such as purchasing, receiving and storage and at December 31, 2017 and 2016, $70.7 million and $65.3 million, respectively, of these costs were included in ending inventories.

Property, Buildings and Equipment

Property, buildings and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over either their respective lease terms or their estimated lives, whichever is shorter. Estimated useful lives range from five to forty years for buildings and leasehold improvements and three to ten years for furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Capitalized computer software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, typically three to five years, and are reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value.

Expenditures for new facilities and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gains or losses are recorded and reported as selling, general and administrative expenses.

Of WESCO’s $156.4 million net book value of property, buildings and equipment as of December 31, 2017, $97.6 million consists of land, buildings and leasehold improvements and are geographically dispersed among WESCO’s 500 branches and 10 distribution centers, mitigating the risk of impairment. WESCO assesses its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of any such assets may not be fully recoverable. Changes in circumstances include technological advances, changes in the business model, capital structure, economic conditions or operating performance. The evaluation is based upon, among other things, utilization, serviceability and assumptions about the estimated future undiscounted cash flows that these assets are expected to generate. When the sum of the undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that carrying value exceeds fair value. Management applies its best judgment when performing these evaluations.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter using information available at the end of September, or more frequently if triggering events occur, indicating that their carrying value may not be recoverable. WESCO tests for goodwill impairment on a reporting unit level and the evaluation involves comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The fair values of the reporting units are determined using a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and market multiples. Assumptions used for these fair value techniques are based on a combination of historical results, current forecasts, market data and recent economic events. WESCO evaluates the recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets using the relief-from-royalty method based on projected financial information. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks totaled $1.87 billion and $1.83 billion.

We performed our annual impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter. A possible indicator of goodwill impairment is the relationship of a company’s market capitalization to its book value. As of December 31, 2017, our market capitalization exceeded our book value and the fair values of our reporting units exceeded their carrying values. Accordingly, there were no impairment losses identified as a result of our annual test.

The determination of fair value involves significant management judgment and management applies its best judgment when assessing the reasonableness of financial projections. Fair values are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and factors. As a result, there can be no assurance that the estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible impairment tests will prove to be an accurate prediction of future results.

Definite Lived Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are amortized over 2 to 20 years. A portion of intangible assets related to certain customer relationships are amortized using an accelerated method whereas all other intangible assets subject to amortization use a straight-line method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the respective assets are consumed or otherwise used. Intangible assets are tested for impairment if events or circumstances occur indicating that the respective asset might be impaired.

Insurance Programs

WESCO uses commercial insurance for auto, workers’ compensation, casualty and health claims, and information technology as a risk-reduction strategy to minimize catastrophic losses. The Company’s strategy involves large deductible policies where WESCO must pay all costs up to the deductible amount. WESCO estimates the reserve for these programs based on historical incident rates and costs. The assumptions included in developing this accrual include the period of time between the incurrence and payment of a claim. The total liability related to the insurance programs was $13.9 million and $9.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Income Taxes

WESCO accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred income taxes for events that have future tax consequences. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized (using enacted tax laws and rates) based on the future income tax effects of differences in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. The effect of a tax rate change on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period of change.

WESCO recognizes deferred tax assets at amounts that are expected to be realized. To make such determination, management evaluates all positive and negative evidence, including but not limited to, prior, current and future taxable income, tax planning strategies and future reversals of existing temporary differences. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is “more-likely-than-not” that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. WESCO regularly assesses the realizability of deferred tax assets.

WESCO accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a "more-likely-than-not" recognition threshold. Due to the subjectivity inherent in the evaluation of uncertain tax positions, the tax benefit ultimately recognized may materially differ from the estimate. WESCO recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits as part of interest expense and income tax expense, respectively.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) imposes a one-time tax on the deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings. Notwithstanding the effects of applying such provisions of the TCJA, WESCO continues to assert that the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely reinvested. However, as a result of the TCJA, the Company is reevaluating its intent and ability to repatriate foreign cash based upon the available liquidity and cash flow needs of its foreign subsidiaries and will disclose in future filings any change in its intention to repatriate undistributed foreign earnings and any resulting income tax impacts. Until the Company completes this reevaluation, it is not practicable to determine the amount of any unrecognized deferred income taxes on these undistributed foreign earnings.

The provisions of the TCJA also introduce U.S. taxation on certain global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI"). WESCO has elected to account for any GILTI tax that arises in future periods as a component of income tax expense.

Provisional amounts are recorded for certain income tax effects of the TCJA for which the accounting is incomplete, but a reasonable estimate can be determined. Provisional amounts, or adjustments to provisional amounts, identified during the period ending on or before one year from the TCJA's enactment date are recognized as an adjustment to income tax expense or benefit from continuing operations in the period the amounts are determined.

Debt Issuance Costs

WESCO capitalizes costs associated with the issuance of debt and such costs are amortized over the term of the respective debt instrument on a straight-line basis. Debt issuance costs are presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. Upon prepayment of debt, the Company accelerates the recognition of an appropriate amount of the costs as refinancing or extinguishment of debt. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company capitalized debt issuance costs of $0.9 million. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, unamortized debt issuance costs of $13.7 million and $16.5 million were recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.

Convertible Debentures

WESCO separately accounted for the liability and equity components of the 6.0% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2029 (the "2029 Debentures") in a manner that reflected its non-convertible debt borrowing rate. WESCO estimated its non-convertible debt borrowing rate through a combination of discussions with its financial institutions and review of relevant market data. The discounts to the convertible debt balances were amortized to interest expense, using the effective interest method, over the implicit life of the debentures.

Foreign Currency

The local currency is the functional currency for the majority of WESCO’s operations outside the United States. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each period. Income statement accounts are translated at an exchange rate that approximates the average for the period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income for the period.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Liabilities and expenses for pension benefits are determined using actuarial methodologies and incorporate significant assumptions, including the interest rate used to discount the future estimated cash flows, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and several assumptions relating to the employee workforce (salary increases, retirement age, and mortality).

The interest rate used to discount future estimated cash flows is determined using the Canadian Institute of Actuaries ("CIA") methodology, which references yield curve information provided by Fiera Capital and matches expected benefit payments. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is applied to the fair market-related value of plan assets. The discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligations for the Canadian pensions was 3.5% at December 31, 2017.

Stock-Based Compensation

WESCO's stock-based employee compensation plans are comprised of stock-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, and performance-based awards. Compensation cost for all stock-based awards is measured at fair value on the date of grant, and compensation cost is recognized, net of forfeitures, over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock-settled appreciation rights and performance-based awards with market conditions is determined using the Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo simulation models, respectively. The fair value of restricted stock units with service conditions and performance-based awards with performance conditions is determined by the grant-date closing price of WESCO's common stock. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of WESCO's common stock. WESCO estimates the expected life of stock-settled stock appreciation rights using historical data pertaining to option exercises and employee terminations. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant. The forfeiture assumption is based on WESCO's historical employee behavior, which is reviewed on an annual basis. No dividends are assumed for stock-based awards. For stock appreciation rights that are exercised and for restricted stock units and performance-based award that vest, shares are issued out of WESCO's outstanding common stock.

Treasury Stock

Common stock purchased for treasury is recorded at cost. At the date of subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock, with cost determined on a weighted-average basis.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures." ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:


•	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

•

Level 2 inputs include inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of assets or liabilities.


•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, bank overdrafts, other accrued liabilities, and outstanding indebtedness. The reported carrying amounts of WESCO’s debt instruments totaled $1.36 billion and $1.40 billion at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and approximated their fair values which totaled $1.39 billion and $1.42 billion, respectively. The Company uses a market approach to fair value all of its debt instruments, utilizing quoted prices in active markets, interest rates and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving similar instruments. Therefore, all of the Company's debt instruments are classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. For all of the Company's remaining financial instruments, carrying values are considered to approximate fair value.

Environmental Expenditures

WESCO has facilities and operations that distribute certain products that must comply with environmental regulations and laws. Expenditures for current operations are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate. Expenditures relating to existing conditions caused by past operations, and that do not contribute to future revenue, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2017. The amendment related to the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies was applied prospectively and lowered the Company's effective tax rate by approximately 1% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The amendment related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows was also applied prospectively, and did not have a material impact on WESCO's cash flows. The other amendments, which were adopted by the Company according to the respective transition requirements, had no impact on the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The purpose of ASU 2016-16 is to simplify the income tax accounting of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory and to record its effect when the transfer occurs. The Company early adopted this ASU on a modified retrospective basis in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on WESCO's financial position and it had no impact on its results of operations or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of Effective Date. The Company previously reported that in May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a framework for addressing revenue recognition issues and replaces almost all existing revenue recognition guidance in current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is for companies to recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively, and improve guidance for multiple-element arrangements. The amendments in ASU 2015-14 defer the effective date of the new revenue recognition guidance to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. During 2016, the FASB issued four ASUs that address implementation issues and correct or improve certain aspects of the new revenue recognition guidance, including ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. These ASUs do not change the core principles in the revenue recognition standard outlined above. The Company developed a multiphase plan and established a cross-functional team to evaluate and implement the new standard. Management completed the diagnostic and testing phase of the project, which involved reviewing various customer contracts and comparing current accounting to the requirements of the new standard. Currently management is evaluating the new disclosure requirements and identifying and implementing appropriate changes to the Company's business processes and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. The new standard will be adopted in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective method. Except for new disclosures requirements, the adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on WESCO's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases, including the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability in the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new leasing standard requires modified retrospective transition, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the year of adoption. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this standard and right-of-use assets and lease liabilities will be recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets upon adoption. An estimate of the impact of this standard is not currently determinable.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on certain financial instruments. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues where there is diversity in practice. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Except for potential reclassifications within the statement of cash flows, the Company does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amendments in this update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity should apply the amendments in this ASU on a prospective basis. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. Presently, net benefit cost is reported as an employee cost within operating income (or capitalized into assets when appropriate). This amendment requires the bifurcation of net benefit cost. The service component will be presented with other employee compensation costs in operating income (or capitalized in assets). The other components will be reported separately outside of operations, and will not be eligible for capitalization. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The guidance is effective prospectively for all companies for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

Other pronouncements issued by the FASB or other authoritative accounting standards groups with future effective dates are either not applicable or are not expected to be significant to WESCO’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.