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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation We have prepared the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) to present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Acuity Brands, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Acuity Brands, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and accounts.
Use of Estimates The preparation of 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, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition and Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs Refer to the Revenue Recognition footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to our revenue recognition accounting policies.We include shipping and handling fees billed to customers in Net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. When a product is sold, the associated shipping and handling costs are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income based on their function. Costs associated with inbound freight and freight between manufacturing facilities and distribution centers are generally recorded in Cost of products sold, which may be capitalized into inventory. Other shipping and handling costs, which primarily include amounts incurred to transfer finished goods to a customer's desired location, are included in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses
Current deferred revenues primarily consist of software licenses as well as professional service and service-type warranty fees collected prior to performing the related service and are included within Other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These services are expected to be performed within one year. Revenue earned from beginning contract balances during the year ended August 31, 2023 approximated the current deferred revenue balance at August 31, 2022.
Non-current deferred revenues primarily consist of long-term service-type warranties, which are typically recognized ratably as revenue between five years and ten years from the date of sale, and are included within Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash in excess of daily requirements is invested in time deposits and marketable securities and is included in the accompanying balance sheets at fair value. We consider time deposits and marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable We record accounts receivable at net realizable value. This value includes a reserve for doubtful accounts to reflect our estimate of expected credit losses over the contractual term of our receivables. Our estimation of current expected credit losses reflects our considerations of historical write-offs, an analysis of past due accounts based on the contractual terms of the receivables, and the economic status of customers, if known. We additionally consider the impact of general economic conditions, including construction spending, unemployment rates, and macroeconomic growth, on our customers' future ability to meet their obligations. We believe that the reserve is sufficient to cover uncollectible amounts; however, there can be no assurance that unanticipated future business conditions of customers will not have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
Concentrations of Credit Risk Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables, which are typically unsecured, are generally limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets using our lighting, lighting controls, building management systems, and location-aware applications as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas.
Reclassifications We may reclassify certain prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation. No material reclassifications occurred during the current period.
Inventories Inventories include materials, direct labor, inbound freight, customs, duties, tariffs, and related manufacturing overhead. Inventories are stated on a first-in, first-out basis at the lower of cost and net realizable valueWe review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess or obsolete inventory primarily based on estimated future demand and current market conditions. A significant change in customer demand or market conditions could render certain inventory obsolete and could have a material adverse impact on our operating results in the period the change occurs.
Assets Held for Sale We classify assets as held for sale when a plan for disposal is developed and approved, the asset is available for immediate sale, an active program to locate a buyer at a price reasonable in relation to current fair value is initiated, and transfer of the asset is expected to be completed within one year. We cease the depreciation and amortization of the assets when all of these criteria have been met and generally reflect balances within Prepayments and other current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We did not have any assets classified as held for sale at August 31, 2023 or August 31, 2022.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of the first date of our fourth fiscal quarter (June 1) or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate an asset is more likely than not impaired, as required by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 allows for an optional qualitative analysis for goodwill to determine the likelihood of impairment. If the qualitative review results in a more likely than not probability of impairment, a quantitative analysis is required. The qualitative step may be bypassed entirely in favor of a quantitative test.
The quantitative analysis for goodwill tests for impairments by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. Reporting unit fair values can be determined based on a combination of valuation techniques including the expected present value of future cash flows, a market multiple approach, and a comparable transaction approach. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not
considered impaired. Conversely, if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge for the difference would be recorded. The impairment test for indefinite-lived trade names compares the fair value of a trade name with its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment loss would be recorded for the amount of the excess. We estimate the fair value of indefinite-lived trade names using a fair value model based on discounted future cash flows. Significant assumptions, including estimated future short-term and long-term net sales, royalty rates, and discount rates, are used in the determination of estimated fair value for indefinite-lived trade names.
Share-based Payments We account for stock options, restricted stock, performance stock units, and stock units representing certain deferrals into the Nonemployee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Director Plan”) or the Supplemental Deferred Savings Plan (“SDSP”) (both of which are discussed further in the Share-based Payments footnote) based on their grant-date fair values estimated under the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).We generally recognize compensation cost for share-based payment transactions on a straight-line basis over an award's requisite service period as defined by ASC 718. We apply the accelerated attribution method in certain circumstances, such as when a performance stock unit is subject to graded vesting. For awards subject to a market condition, we consider both actual and derived service periods, as well as the expected performance period, to determine the appropriate compensation recognition method. We have recorded share-based payment expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Share-based payment expense includes expense related to restricted stock, performance stock units, options issued, and stock units deferred into the Director Plan.
Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant, and equipment is initially recorded at cost and depreciated principally on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of plant and equipment (3 to 40 years for buildings and related improvements and 2 to 15 years for machinery and equipment) for financial reporting purposes. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax purposes. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement.
Property, Plant and Equipment - Depreciation Property, plant, and equipment is initially recorded at cost and depreciated principally on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of plant and equipment (3 to 40 years for buildings and related improvements and 2 to 15 years for machinery and equipment) for financial reporting purposes. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax purposes. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement
Research and Development Research and development (“R&D”) expense consists of compensation, payroll taxes, employee benefits, materials, supplies, and other administrative costs, but it does not include all new or enhanced product development costs. R&D expense is expensed as incurred and is included in Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included within Selling, distribution, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Interest Expense, Net Interest expense, net, is comprised primarily of interest expense on long-term debt, line of credit borrowings, and loans that are secured by and presented net of company-owned life insurance policies on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest expense is partially offset by interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents.
Miscellaneous Expense (Income), Net Miscellaneous expense (income), net, is comprised primarily of non-service related components of net periodic pension cost, gains and losses associated with foreign currency-related transactions, and non-operating gains and losses.
Income Taxes We are taxed at statutory corporate rates after adjusting income reported for financial statement purposes for certain items that are treated differently for income tax purposes. Deferred income tax expenses or benefits result from changes during the year in cumulative temporary differences between the tax basis and book basis of assets and liabilities. Refer to the Income Taxes footnote of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for foreign operations is generally the local currency where the foreign operations are domiciled. The translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for asset and liability accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate each month during the year. The gains or losses resulting from the balance sheet translation are included in Foreign currency translation adjustments in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and are excluded from net income.
Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income represents a measure of all changes in equity that result from recognized transactions and other economic events other than transactions with owners in their capacity as owners. Other comprehensive income (loss) items includes foreign currency translation and pension adjustments.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2023
Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2021-08”)
In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2021-08, which requires companies to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination as if the acquiring company originated the related revenue contracts. ASU 2021-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, or our fiscal 2024, with early adoption permitted, including in an interim period. We early adopted ASU 2021-08 as of May 15, 2023, on a prospective basis, as permitted by the standard, and applied its provisions to our current period acquisition. This standard did not have a material effect on our fiscal 2023 acquisition or our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Accounting Standards Yet to Be Adopted
ASU 2023-02, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method (“ASU 2023-02”)
In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, which expands the permitted use of the proportional amortization method of accounting for certain tax-related investments if certain conditions are met. ASU 2023-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, or our fiscal 2025, with early adoption permitted, including in an interim period. As of August 31, 2023, we do not hold any qualifying investments. Therefore, we do not expect ASU 2023-02 to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
All other newly issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective have been deemed either immaterial or not applicable.
Fair Value Measurements of Pension Plan Assets
Our pension plan assets are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices in an active market, quoted redemption values, or estimates based on reasonable assumptions as of the most recent measurement period. See the Fair Value Measurements footnote for a description of the fair value guidance. No transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy occurred during the current fiscal period. In the event of a transfer in or out of a level within the fair value hierarchy, the transfers would be recognized on the date of occurrence. Certain pension assets valued at net asset value (“NAV”) per share as a practical expedient are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments in pension plan assets as of August 31, 2023 are described in further detail below.
Short-term Fixed Income Investments
Short-term investments consist of money market funds, which are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the relevant fund (Level 1).
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds held by the domestic plans are open-end mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and seek to either replicate or outperform a related index. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the domestic plans are deemed to be actively traded (Level 1).
Collective Trust
The collective trust seeks to outperform the overall small-cap stock market and is comprised primarily of small-cap equity securities with quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. The value of this fund is calculated on each business day based on its daily net asset value; however, the collective trust is not deemed to be actively traded (Level 2).
Fixed Income Investments
The fixed income investment seeks to maximize total return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment-grade fixed income securities, primarily publicly traded corporate bonds as well as U.S. government and municipal bonds. The investment is valued on each business day based on the values of the underlying holdings and is not actively traded (Level 2).
U.S. Treasury Investments
The domestic plans hold several fixed-income U.S. Treasury securities that are valued based on discounted future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity (Level 2)
Real Estate Fund
The real estate fund invests primarily in commercial real estate and includes mortgage loans that are backed by the associated property's investment objective. The fund seeks real estate returns, risk, and liquidity appropriate to a core fund. The fund also seeks to provide current income with the potential for long-term capital appreciation. This investment is valued based on the NAV per share, without further adjustment. The NAV, as provided by the fund's trustee, is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value and is therefore excluded from the fair value
hierarchy. NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments. Investors may request to redeem all or any portion of their shares on a quarterly basis. Each investor must provide a written redemption request at least sixty days prior to the end of the quarter for which the request is to be effective. If insufficient funds are available to honor all redemption requests at any point in time, available funds will be allocated pro-rata based on the total number of shares held by each investor. All decisions regarding whether to honor redemption requests are made by the fund’s board of directors.