Business	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Business [Abstract]
Description of the Business	1. BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of the Business IES Holdings, Inc. is a holding company that owns and manages operating subsidiaries in business activities across a variety of end markets. Our operations are currently organized into four principal business segments, based upon the nature of our services: Communications – Nationwide provider of technology infrastructure products and services to large corporations and independent businesses. Residential – Regional provider of electrical installation services for single-family housing and multi-family apartment complexes. Commercial & Industrial – Provider of electrical and mechanical design, construction, and maintenance services to the commercial and industrial markets in various regional markets and nationwide in certain areas of expertise, such as the power infrastructure market. Infrastructure Solutions – Provider of electro-mechanical solutions for industrial operations. The words “IES”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to IES Holdings, Inc. and, except as otherwise specified herein, to our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations Results of operations from our Residential construction segment are seasonal, depending on weather trends, with typically higher revenues generated during spring and summer and lower revenues generated during fall and winter, with an impact from precipitation in the warmer months. The Communications, Commercial & Industrial, and Infrastructure Solutions segments of our business are less subject to seasonal trends, as work in these segments generally is performed inside structures protected from the weather, although weather can still impact these businesses, especially in the early stages of projects. Our service and maintenance business is generally not affected by seasonality. Our volume of business may be adversely affected by declines in construction projects resulting from adverse regional or national economic conditions. Quarterly results may also be materially affected by the timing of new construction projects. Results for our Infrastructure Solutions segment may be affected by the timing of outages at our customers’ facilities. Accordingly, operating results for any fiscal period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved for any subsequent fiscal period. Basis of Financial Statement Preparation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IES, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and entities that we control due to ownership of a majority of voting interest, and have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to interim financial reporting as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. These interim financial statements do not include all disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed with the SEC in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this report include all known accruals and adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods reported herein. Any such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Noncontrolling Interest In conjunction with our purchase of STR Mechanical, LLC (“STR”) during the third quarter of fiscal 2016, we acquired a controlling interest of 80 percent of the membership interests of STR. The remaining 20 percent interest, which was retained by the third party sellers, is identified in our financials as noncontrolling interest and is classified outside of permanent equity on our consolidated balance sheet. See Note 13 – Business Combinations for further discussion. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are primarily used in our revenue recognition of construction in progress, fair value assumptions in accounting for business combinations and analyzing goodwill, investments, intangible assets and long-lived asset impairments and adjustments, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, stock-based compensation, reserves for legal matters, realizability of deferred tax assets, unrecognized tax benefits and self-insured claims liabilities and related reserves. Tax Rate For the nine months ended June 30, 2017, our effective tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate directly resulting from a $3,689 benefit associated with the reversal of a reserve previously established for an uncertain tax position. For the nine months ended June 30, 2016, our effective tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate directly resulting from benefits of $5,002 related to the release of a valuation allowance in connection with the acquisition of deferred tax liabilities of Technibus, Inc. (“Technibus”), Shanahan Mechanical and Electrical, Inc. (“Shanahan”), and Calumet Armature & Electric, LLC (“Calumet”). Revenue Recognition Revenue is generally recognized once the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the price of the product or service is fixed and determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Costs associated with these services are recognized within the period they are incurred. We recognize revenue on project contracts using the percentage of completion method. Project contracts generally provide that customers accept completion of progress to date and compensate us for services rendered measured in terms of units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. We recognize revenue on both signed contracts and change orders. A discussion of our treatment of claims and unapproved change orders is described later in this section. Percentage of completion for construction contracts is measured principally by the percentage of costs incurred and accrued to date for each contract to the estimated total cost for each contract at completion. We generally consider contracts to be substantially complete upon departure from the work site and acceptance by the customer. Contract costs include all direct material, labor and insurance costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs. Changes in job performance, job conditions, estimated contract costs and profitability and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and the effects of these revisions are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded expense of $2,476 and $3,685, respectively, related to changes in estimates on two jobs in our Commercial & Industrial segment. The change in estimate relates to labor cost overruns primarily caused by the customer’s schedule acceleration. Provisions for total estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. The balances billed but not paid by customers pursuant to retainage provisions in project contracts will be due upon completion of the contracts and acceptance by the customer. Based on our experience, the retention balance at each balance sheet date will generally be collected within the subsequent fiscal year. Certain divisions in the Residential and Infrastructure Solutions segments use the completed contract method of accounting because the duration of their contracts are short in nature. We recognize revenue on completed contracts when the project is complete and billable to the customer. Provisions for estimated losses on these contracts are recorded in the period such losses are determined. The current asset “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed which management believes will generally be billed and collected within the next twelve months. Also included in this asset, from time to time, are claims and unapproved change orders which are amounts we are in the process of collecting from our customers or agencies for changes in contract specifications or design, contract change orders in dispute or unapproved as to scope and price, or other related causes of unanticipated additional contract costs. Claims are limited to costs incurred and are recorded at estimated realizable value when collection is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We do not recognize profits on project costs incurred in connection with claims. Claims made by us involve negotiation and, in certain cases, litigation. Such litigation costs are expensed as incurred. The current liability “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings are amounts considered recoverable from customers based on different measures of performance, including achievement of specific milestones, completion of specified units or at the completion of the contract. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard which will supersede previous existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard creates a five-step model for revenue recognition that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering contract terms and relevant facts and circumstances. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. The effective date will be the first quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The standard allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption, and we currently plan to use the modified retrospective basis on the adoption date. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements. In particular, we continue to analyze areas including contract termination provisions, customer furnished materials, and accounting for change orders. However, we expect that we will continue to recognize revenues for most of our fixed-price contracts over time, as services are performed. We are also continuing to assess the necessary changes in processes and controls to meet the disclosure requirements of the new standard. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases ("ASU 2016-02"). Under ASU 2016-02, lessees will need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all of their leases, other than those that meet the definition of a short-term lease. ASU 2016-02 becomes effective for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. We are currently evaluating whether to early adopt the standard and what impact it will have on our consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows, to standardize the classification of restricted cash and cash equivalents transactions on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, although early adoption is permitted. We expect we will adopt this guidance at September 30, 2017. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations. This standard clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluation of whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance. Also in January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This update is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step in the current two-step goodwill impairment test. This update is effective for public entities for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to reduce the diversity in practice and the cost and complexity when changing the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This update is effective for interim and annual financial reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, although early adoption is permitted. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance. We do not expect ASUs 2016-18, 2017-01, 2017-04 or 2017-09 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 eliminates additional paid in capital pools and requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The accounting for an employee’s use of shares to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation and the accounting for forfeitures is also changing. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09 in the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which required us to reflect any adjustments as of October 1, 2016. We elected to account for forfeitures as they occur to determine the amount of compensation cost to be recognized, resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment of $58 to reduce retained earnings for the increase to stock compensation expense. We recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $362 to increase retained earnings to recognize a deferred tax asset related to tax benefits which were not previously recognized, as the tax deduction related to stock compensation expense resulted in an increase to a net operating loss rather than a reduction to income tax payable. Amendments to the accounting for minimum statutory withholding tax requirements had no impact to retained earnings as of October 1, 2016. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows, to standardize the classification of certain transactions on the statement of cash flows. These transactions include contingent consideration payments made after a business combination. We implemented the standard for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The adoption had no impact on our statement of cash flows.

Business

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

1. BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of the Business

IES Holdings, Inc. is a holding company that owns and manages operating subsidiaries in business activities across a variety of end markets. Our operations are currently organized into four principal business segments, based upon the nature of our services:

Communications – Nationwide provider of technology infrastructure products and services to large corporations and independent businesses.
Residential – Regional provider of electrical installation services for single-family housing and multi-family apartment complexes.
Commercial & Industrial – Provider of electrical and mechanical design, construction, and maintenance services to the commercial and industrial markets in various regional markets and nationwide in certain areas of expertise, such as the power infrastructure market.
Infrastructure Solutions – Provider of electro-mechanical solutions for industrial operations.

The words “IES”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to IES Holdings, Inc. and, except as otherwise specified herein, to our wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

Results of operations from our Residential construction segment are seasonal, depending on weather trends, with typically higher revenues generated during spring and summer and lower revenues generated during fall and winter, with an impact from precipitation in the warmer months. The Communications, Commercial & Industrial, and Infrastructure Solutions segments of our business are less subject to seasonal trends, as work in these segments generally is performed inside structures protected from the weather, although weather can still impact these businesses, especially in the early stages of projects. Our service and maintenance business is generally not affected by seasonality. Our volume of business may be adversely affected by declines in construction projects resulting from adverse regional or national economic conditions. Quarterly results may also be materially affected by the timing of new construction projects. Results for our Infrastructure Solutions segment may be affected by the timing of outages at our customers’ facilities. Accordingly, operating results for any fiscal period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be achieved for any subsequent fiscal period.

Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IES, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and entities that we control due to ownership of a majority of voting interest, and have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to interim financial reporting as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. These interim financial statements do not include all disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto filed with the SEC in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this report include all known accruals and adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods reported herein. Any such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

Noncontrolling Interest

In conjunction with our purchase of STR Mechanical, LLC (“STR”) during the third quarter of fiscal 2016, we acquired a controlling interest of 80 percent of the membership interests of STR. The remaining 20 percent interest, which was retained by the third party sellers, is identified in our financials as noncontrolling interest and is classified outside of permanent equity on our consolidated balance sheet. See Note 13 – Business Combinations for further discussion.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are primarily used in our revenue recognition of construction in progress, fair value assumptions in accounting for business combinations and analyzing goodwill, investments, intangible assets and long-lived asset impairments and adjustments, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, stock-based compensation, reserves for legal matters, realizability of deferred tax assets, unrecognized tax benefits and self-insured claims liabilities and related reserves.

Tax Rate

For the nine months ended June 30, 2017, our effective tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate directly resulting from a $3,689 benefit associated with the reversal of a reserve previously established for an uncertain tax position. For the nine months ended June 30, 2016, our effective tax rate differed from the statutory tax rate directly resulting from benefits of $5,002 related to the release of a valuation allowance in connection with the acquisition of deferred tax liabilities of Technibus, Inc. (“Technibus”), Shanahan Mechanical and Electrical, Inc. (“Shanahan”), and Calumet Armature & Electric, LLC (“Calumet”).

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is generally recognized once the following four criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery of the product has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the price of the product or service is fixed and determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. Costs associated with these services are recognized within the period they are incurred.

We recognize revenue on project contracts using the percentage of completion method. Project contracts generally provide that customers accept completion of progress to date and compensate us for services rendered measured in terms of units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. We recognize revenue on both signed contracts and change orders. A discussion of our treatment of claims and unapproved change orders is described later in this section. Percentage of completion for construction contracts is measured principally by the percentage of costs incurred and accrued to date for each contract to the estimated total cost for each contract at completion. We generally consider contracts to be substantially complete upon departure from the work site and acceptance by the customer. Contract costs include all direct material, labor and insurance costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs. Changes in job performance, job conditions, estimated contract costs and profitability and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income and the effects of these revisions are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded expense of $2,476 and $3,685, respectively, related to changes in estimates on two jobs in our Commercial & Industrial segment. The change in estimate relates to labor cost overruns primarily caused by the customer’s schedule acceleration. Provisions for total estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. The balances billed but not paid by customers pursuant to retainage provisions in project contracts will be due upon completion of the contracts and acceptance by the customer. Based on our experience, the retention balance at each balance sheet date will generally be collected within the subsequent fiscal year.

Certain divisions in the Residential and Infrastructure Solutions segments use the completed contract method of accounting because the duration of their contracts are short in nature. We recognize revenue on completed contracts when the project is complete and billable to the customer. Provisions for estimated losses on these contracts are recorded in the period such losses are determined.

The current asset “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed which management believes will generally be billed and collected within the next twelve months. Also included in this asset, from time to time, are claims and unapproved change orders which are amounts we are in the process of collecting from our customers or agencies for changes in contract specifications or design, contract change orders in dispute or unapproved as to scope and price, or other related causes of unanticipated additional contract costs. Claims are limited to costs incurred and are recorded at estimated realizable value when collection is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We do not recognize profits on project costs incurred in connection with claims. Claims made by us involve negotiation and, in certain cases, litigation. Such litigation costs are expensed as incurred. The current liability “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings are amounts considered recoverable from customers based on different measures of performance, including achievement of specific milestones, completion of specified units or at the completion of the contract.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard which will supersede previous existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard creates a five-step model for revenue recognition that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering contract terms and relevant facts and circumstances. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. The effective date will be the first quarter of our fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The standard allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption, and we currently plan to use the modified retrospective basis on the adoption date. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements. In particular, we continue to analyze areas including contract termination provisions, customer furnished materials, and accounting for change orders. However, we expect that we will continue to recognize revenues for most of our fixed-price contracts over time, as services are performed. We are also continuing to assess the necessary changes in processes and controls to meet the disclosure requirements of the new standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases ("ASU 2016-02"). Under ASU 2016-02, lessees will need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all of their leases, other than those that meet the definition of a short-term lease. ASU 2016-02 becomes effective for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. We are currently evaluating whether to early adopt the standard and what impact it will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows, to standardize the classification of restricted cash and cash equivalents transactions on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, although early adoption is permitted. We expect we will adopt this guidance at September 30, 2017.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations. This standard clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluation of whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The new standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance.

Also in January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. This update is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the second step in the current two-step goodwill impairment test. This update is effective for public entities for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to reduce the diversity in practice and the cost and complexity when changing the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. This update is effective for interim and annual financial reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, although early adoption is permitted. The prospective transition method will be required for this new guidance.

We do not expect ASUs 2016-18, 2017-01, 2017-04 or 2017-09 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 eliminates additional paid in capital pools and requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The accounting for an employee’s use of shares to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation and the accounting for forfeitures is also changing. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted.

We elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09 in the quarter ended December 31, 2016, which required us to reflect any adjustments as of October 1, 2016. We elected to account for forfeitures as they occur to determine the amount of compensation cost to be recognized, resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment of $58 to reduce retained earnings for the increase to stock compensation expense. We recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $362 to increase retained earnings to recognize a deferred tax asset related to tax benefits which were not previously recognized, as the tax deduction related to stock compensation expense resulted in an increase to a net operating loss rather than a reduction to income tax payable. Amendments to the accounting for minimum statutory withholding tax requirements had no impact to retained earnings as of October 1, 2016.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows, to standardize the classification of certain transactions on the statement of cash flows. These transactions include contingent consideration payments made after a business combination. We implemented the standard for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The adoption had no impact on our statement of cash flows.