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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] 
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of significant accounting policies


(b) Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of property, plant and equipment, the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill, the reserve for doubtful receivables and the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, the valuation of derivative financial instruments, the measurements of stock-based compensation, assets and obligations related to employee benefits, income tax uncertainties and other contingencies. Management believes that the estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are reasonable. Although these estimates are based upon management's best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results could differ from these estimates. Any changes in estimates are adjusted prospectively in the consolidated financial statements.

(c) Business combinations, goodwill and other intangible assets

The Company accounts for its business combinations by recognizing the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquired business, measured at their acquisition date fair values. All assets and liabilities of the acquired businesses, including goodwill, are assigned to reporting units.

 

Goodwill represents the cost of the acquired businesses in excess of the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets purchased. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis on December 31, based on a number of factors including operating results, business plans and future cash flows. Recoverability of goodwill is evaluated using a two-step process. The first step involves a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the process involves a comparison of the fair value and carrying value of the goodwill of that reporting unit. If the carrying value of the goodwill of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. Goodwill of a reporting unit will be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount.
 

Intangible assets acquired individually or with a group of other assets or in a business combination are carried at cost less accumulated amortization based on their estimated useful lives as follows:

 

     

Customer-related intangible assets

   2-14 years

Marketing-related intangible assets

   1-10 years

Contract-related intangible assets

   1 year

Other intangible assets

   3-9 years

Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using a method of amortization that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise realized.

 

 In business combinations, where the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets purchased exceeds the cost of the acquired business, the Company recognizes the resulting gain under 'Other operating (income) expense, net' in the Consolidated Statements of Income on the acquisition date.


(d) Financial instruments and concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk are reflected principally in cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, derivative financial instruments and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents and derivative financial instruments with corporations and banks with high investment grade ratings, limits the amount of credit exposure with any one corporation or bank and conducts ongoing evaluation of the credit worthiness of the corporations and banks with which it does business. Short term investments are with other financial institutions. To reduce its credit risk on accounts receivable, the Company performs an ongoing credit evaluation of customers. GE accounted for 43% and 35% of receivables as of December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2011, respectively. GE accounted for 39% and 31% of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and for 38% and 29% of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2011, respectively.


(e) Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

The authoritative bodies release standards and guidance which are assessed by management for impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The following recently released accounting standards have been adopted by the Company and certain disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and footnotes to the consolidated financial statements have been modified. Adoption of these standards did not impact the consolidated financial results as they are disclosure-only in nature:

 

   

In December 2010, FASB issued ASU 2010-29 which states that a public entity is required to disclose pro forma information for material business combinations (on an individual or aggregate basis) that occurred in the current reporting period. The disclosures include pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the current reporting period as though the acquisition date for all business combinations that occurred during the year had been as of the beginning of the annual reporting period. If comparative financial statements are presented, the pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the comparable prior reporting period should be reported as though the acquisition date for all business combinations that occurred during the current year had been as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The amendments in this update are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company adopted ASU 2010-29.

The following recently released accounting standards have been adopted by the Company without material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, cash flows, financial position or disclosures:

 

   

In December 2010, FASB issued ASU 2010-28 which states that for an entity with reporting units having zero or negative carrying amounts, the second step of the impairment test shall be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, when it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In considering whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity shall evaluate whether there are adverse qualitative factors. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company has adopted ASU 2010-28.

 

   

In April 2010, FASB issued ASU 2010-13 which states that an employee share-based payment award with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity's equity securities trades should not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Therefore, such an award should not be classified as a liability based only on this condition if it otherwise qualifies as equity. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company has adopted ASU 2010-13.


(f) Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements of prior periods to conform to the classification used in the current period.