NOTE 3: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Adtalem and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Where our ownership interest is less than 100%, but greater than 50%, the noncontrolling ownership interest is reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The noncontrolling ownership interest earnings portion is classified as “Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest” in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Unless indicated, or the context requires otherwise, references to years refer to Adtalem’s fiscal years.

Equity Method Investment

The equity method of accounting is used for an investment where we have the ability to influence the operating and financial decisions of the investee but do not possess more than a 50% ownership interest. Generally, this occurs when the ownership interest is greater than 20%. The investment is initially recorded at cost and classified as Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying amount of the investment is adjusted in subsequent periods for Adtalem’s share of the earnings or losses of the investee, which is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as Equity Method Investment Loss.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents can include time deposits, high-grade commercial paper, money market funds and bankers acceptances with original maturities of three months or less. Short-term investment objectives are to minimize risk and maintain liquidity. These investments are stated at cost (which approximates fair value) because of their short duration or liquid nature. Adtalem places its cash and temporary cash investments with high credit quality institutions. Cash and cash equivalent balances in U.S. bank accounts are generally in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit. Cash and cash equivalent balances in Brazilian bank accounts are generally in excess of the deposit insurance limits for Brazilian banks. Adtalem has not experienced any losses on its cash and cash equivalents.

Management periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of the security issuers and financial institutions with which it invests and maintains deposit accounts.

Financial Aid and Restricted Cash

A significant portion of revenue is received from students who participate in government financial aid and assistance programs which are subject to political and governmental budgetary considerations. There is no assurance that such funding will be maintained at current levels. Extensive and complex regulations in the U.S. and Brazil govern all of the government financial assistance programs in which students participate. Administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by various regulatory agencies. Any regulatory violation could be the basis for disciplinary action, which could include the suspension, limitation or termination from such financial aid programs.

Restricted cash represents amounts received from federal and state governments under various student aid grant and loan programs and such restricted funds are held in separate bank accounts. Once the financial aid authorization and disbursement process for the student has been completed, the funds are transferred to unrestricted accounts, and these funds then become available for use in Adtalem’s operations. This authorization and disbursement process that precedes the transfer of funds generally occurs within the period of the academic term for which such funds were authorized.

As a requirement of continuing operations in Pennsylvania, Adtalem is required to maintain a “minimum protective endowment” of at least $500,000. These funds are required as long as Adtalem operates campuses in the state. Adtalem accounts for these funds as restricted cash.

Revenue Recognition

Tuition

Chamberlain, Adtalem Brazil higher education, DeVry University and Carrington tuition revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over their respective applicable academic terms. In addition, AUC, RUSM and RUSVM basic science curriculum revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable academic term. The clinical portion of the AUC, RUSM and RUSVM education programs are conducted under the supervision of primarily U.S. teaching hospitals and veterinary schools. AUC, RUSM and RUSVM are responsible for the billing and collection of tuition from their students during the period of clinical education. Revenue is recognized on a weekly basis based on actual program attendance during the period of the clinical program. Fees paid to the hospitals and veterinary schools for supervision of AUC, RUSM and RUSVM students are charged to expense on the same basis. Becker and Adtalem Brazil’s live classroom test preparation and Adtalem Brazil’s online tuition revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable delivery period. Revenue from conferences and training services, which are generally short-term in duration, is recognized when the conference or training service is provided.

Other Educational

Sales of subscriptions, membership dues, certifications, textbooks, electronic books and other educational products, including Becker self-study sales, are included in Other Educational Revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Revenue from subscriptions and membership dues is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable subscription or membership period. Revenue from certifications is recognized when the certification process is complete. Textbooks, electronic books and other educational products revenue is recognized when the sale occurs. In addition, fees from international licensees of the Becker programs are included in Other Educational Revenue and recognized when confirmation of course delivery is received.

Refunds and Provisions

Estimates of Adtalem’s expected refunds are determined at the outset of each academic term, based upon actual experience in previous terms. Inputs to this analysis include refunds issued, withdrawal rates and historical amounts owed by students for that portion of a term that was completed. Management reassesses collectability throughout the period revenue is recognized by the Adtalem institutions, on a student-by-student basis. This reassessment is based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant to a student's ability to pay. Management also reassesses collectability when a student withdraws from the institution and has unpaid tuition charges. Such unpaid charges do not meet the threshold of reasonably collectible and are recognized as revenue on a cash basis.

The provisions for refunds, which are reported as a reduction to Tuition Revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income, are recognized in the same ratable fashion as revenue to most appropriately match these costs with the tuition revenue in that term. Provisions for refunds were $11.0 million and $12.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Provisions for refunds are monitored and adjusted as necessary within the academic term and adjusted for actual refunds issued and withdrawn student accounts receivable balances at the completion of an academic term. If a student withdraws prior to completing an academic term, federal and/or state regulations and accreditation criteria permit Adtalem to retain only a set percentage of the total tuition received from such student, which varies with, but generally equals or exceeds, the percentage of the academic term completed by such student. Payment amounts received by Adtalem in excess of such set percentages of tuition are refunded to the student or the appropriate funding source. All refunds are netted against revenue during the applicable academic term. Reserves related to refunds and uncollectible accounts totaled $50.7 million, $44.8 million and $69.1 million at September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2017, certain student accounts were forgiven as part of a regulatory settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). These write-offs resulted in a $24.2 million reduction in the reserve balance.

The allowance for uncollectible accounts is determined by analyzing the current aging of accounts receivable and historical loss rates on collections of accounts receivable. In addition, management considers projections of future receivable levels and collection loss rates. We monitor the inputs to this analysis periodically throughout the year. Provisions required to maintain the allowance at appropriate levels are charged to expense in each period as required. Provisions for uncollectible accounts, which are included in the Cost of Educational Services in the Consolidated Statements of Income, were $10.3 million and $10.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Internal-Use Software Development Costs

Adtalem capitalizes certain internal-use software development costs that are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the software, not to exceed seven years. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of equipment, materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software and payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with the internal-use software development project. Capitalization of such costs ceases at the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Capitalized internal-use software development costs for projects not yet complete are included as Construction in Progress in the Land, Building and Equipment section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the net balance of capitalized internal-use software development costs was $10.1 million, $11.8 million and $16.6 million, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Adtalem evaluates the carrying amount of its significant long-lived assets whenever changes in circumstances or events indicate that the value of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Events that may trigger an impairment analysis could include a decision by management to exit a market or a line of business or to consolidate operating locations. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, the campuses of AUC and RUSM were damaged from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, respectively. Based on current estimates, we recorded impairment charges to building, building improvements, furniture and equipment of $10.9 million in the first three months of fiscal year 2018. The impairment charges are included in Cost of Educational Services in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In the first three months of fiscal years 2018 and 2017, management consolidated operations at DeVry University, Carrington and Adtalem’s home office. These decisions resulted in pre-tax accelerated depreciation and write-offs of $0.2 million and $1.3 million on leasehold improvements and equipment during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The accelerated depreciation and write-off charges are included in Restructuring Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (see “Note 10: Restructuring Charges”). For a discussion of the impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets see “Note 9: Intangible Assets.”

Perkins Program Fund

DeVry University is required under U.S. federal aid program regulations to make contributions to the Federal Perkins Student Loan Fund, most recently at a rate equal to 33% of new contributions by the U.S. federal government. No new U.S. federal government contributions were received in the first three months of fiscal year 2018 or in fiscal year 2017. Adtalem carries its investment in such contributions at original value, net of allowances for expected losses on loan collections of $2.6 million at each of September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016. The allowance for future loan losses is based upon an analysis of actual loan losses experienced since the inception of the program. As previous borrowers repay their Perkins loans, their payments are used to fund new loans, thus creating a revolving loan fund. The U.S. federal government contributions to this revolving loan program do not belong to Adtalem and are not recorded in its financial statements. Under current law, upon termination of the program by the U.S. federal government or withdrawal from future program participation by DeVry University, subsequent student loan repayments would be divided between the U.S. federal government and DeVry University to satisfy their respective cumulative contributions to the fund. The authorization of the Federal Perkins Student Loan Program expired on September 30, 2017. A bill was introduced to the U.S. Congress to extend the program in May 2017; however, there is no time table for further actions on this proposed legislation.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial position and results of operations of the AUC, RUSM and RUSVM Caribbean operations are measured using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. As such, there is no translation gain or loss associated with these operations. Adtalem Brazil’s operations and Becker’s and ACAMS’s international operations are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these entities are translated to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at monthly average exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included in the component of Shareholders’ Equity designated as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. Transaction gains or losses during each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were not material.

Noncontrolling Interest

Adtalem currently maintains a 97.9% ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil with the remaining 2.1% owned by members of the current Adtalem Brazil senior management group. The adjustment to increase or decrease the Adtalem Brazil noncontrolling interest each reporting period for its proportionate share of Adtalem Brazil’s profit or loss flows through the Consolidated Statements of Income based on Adtalem’s noncontrolling interest accounting policy.

Since July 1, 2015, Adtalem has had the right to exercise a call option and purchase any remaining Adtalem Brazil stock from Adtalem Brazil management. Likewise, Adtalem Brazil management has had the right to exercise a put option and sell its remaining ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil to Adtalem. Since the put option is out of the control of Adtalem, authoritative guidance requires the noncontrolling interest, which includes the value of the put option, to be displayed outside of the equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Adtalem Brazil management put option is being accreted to its redemption value in accordance with the terms of the related stock purchase agreement. The adjustment to increase or decrease the put option to its expected redemption value each reporting period is recorded in retained earnings in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).

The following is a reconciliation of the noncontrolling interest balance (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
Balance at Beginning of Period	$	6,285	$	5,112
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		131		(3)
Increase (Decrease) in Redemption Value of Noncontrolling Interest Put Option		150		(66)
Balance at End of Period	$	6,566	$	5,043

Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Adtalem by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus unvested participating restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Adtalem by the weighted average number of shares assuming dilution. Diluted shares are computed using the Treasury Stock Method and reflect the additional shares that would be outstanding if dilutive stock-based grants were exercised during the period. Excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per share were outstanding stock-based grants representing 1,893,000 and 2,755,000 shares of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These outstanding stock-based grants were excluded because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares or the assumed proceeds upon exercise under the Treasury Stock Method resulted in the repurchase of more shares than would be issued; thus, their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The following is a reconciliation of basic shares to diluted shares (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding		62,014		62,592
Unvested Participating RSUs		771		827
Basic Shares		62,785		63,419
Effect of Dilutive Stock Options		647		477
Diluted Shares		63,432		63,896

Treasury Stock

Adtalem’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has authorized share repurchase programs on ten occasions (see “Note 7: Share Repurchase Programs”). The tenth share repurchase program was approved on February 16, 2017 and commenced in February 2017. Shares that are repurchased by Adtalem are recorded as Treasury Stock at cost and result in a reduction of Shareholders’ Equity.

From time to time, shares of its common stock are delivered back to Adtalem under a swap arrangement resulting from employees’ exercise of incentive stock options pursuant to the terms of the Adtalem Stock Incentive Plans (see “Note 4: Stock-Based Compensation”). In addition, shares of its common stock are delivered back to Adtalem for payment of withholding taxes from employees for vesting RSUs. These shares are recorded as Treasury Stock at cost and result in a reduction of Shareholders’ Equity.

Treasury shares are reissued on a monthly basis, at market value, to the Adtalem Colleague Stock Purchase Plan in exchange for employee payroll deductions. When treasury shares are reissued, Adtalem uses an average cost method to reduce the Treasury Stock balance. Gains on the difference between the average cost and the reissuance price are credited to Additional Paid-in Capital. Losses on the difference are charged to Additional Paid-in Capital to the extent that previous net gains from reissuance are included therein, otherwise such losses are charged to Retained Earnings.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of revenue and expense reported during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss is composed of the change in cumulative translation adjustment, primarily at Adtalem Brazil, and unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of the effects of income taxes.

The Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss balance at September 30, 2017 consists of $36.1 million of cumulative translation losses ($35.3 million attributable to Adtalem and $0.8 million attributable to noncontrolling interest) and $0.4 million of unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax of $0.2 million and all attributable to Adtalem. At June 30, 2017, this balance consisted of $59.4 million of cumulative translation losses ($58.1 million attributable to Adtalem and $1.3 million to noncontrolling interest) and $0.3 million of unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax of $0.2 million and all attributable to Adtalem. At September 30, 2016, this balance consisted of $49.4 million of cumulative translation losses ($48.3 million attributable to Adtalem and $1.1 million attributable to noncontrolling interest) and $0.2 million of unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax of $0.1 million and all attributable to Adtalem.

Advertising Expense

Advertising costs are recognized as expense in the period in which materials are purchased or services are performed. Advertising expense, which is included in Student Services and Administrative Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, was $52.9 million and $57.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Hurricane Expense

AUC and RUSM were affected by hurricane events occurring in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. $13.6 million of expense was recorded in Cost of Educational Services in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The expense primarily represented the deductibles under insurance policies, relating to impairment write-offs of facility and equipment and the evacuations of students, faculty and staff.

Restructuring Charges

Adtalem’s financial statements include charges related to severance and related benefits for reductions in staff. These charges also include early lease termination or cease-of-use costs and accelerated depreciation and gains and losses on disposals of property and equipment related to campus and administrative office consolidations (see “Note 10: Restructuring Charges”).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-18: “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.” This guidance was issued to address the diversity that exists in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The amendments will require that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Changes in the restricted cash balance will no longer be included as cash provided by or used in operating activities since these balances will now be included in the beginning and ending balances of cash in the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, we retrospectively adopted this guidance. See “Reclassifications” section below within this footnote, which discusses the disclosure impact to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13: “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This guidance was issued to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected losses on financial instruments by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses by requiring a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is evaluating the impact the guidance will have on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09: “Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This guidance was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, forfeitures, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies will no longer be recorded to additional paid-in capital, but rather to income tax expense or benefit in the income statement, which may increase volatility in the income statement. An accounting policy election exists to account for forfeitures as they occur. Also, adoption will require changes to classification of certain stock-based compensation transactions on the statement of cash flows. The cash outflow from employee taxes paid when shares are withheld by the employer will be reclassified from operating activities to financing activities on the statement of cash flows. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, we retrospectively adopted this guidance. We elected to account for forfeitures when they occur versus our prior practice of applying a forfeiture rate. The election resulted in a cumulative adjustment to increase retained earnings and decrease additional paid-in-capital, each by $0.6 million and the corresponding tax effect to decrease retained earnings and increase deferred tax assets, each by $0.2 million. See “Reclassifications” section below within this footnote, which discusses the disclosure impact to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842).” This guidance was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing right-to-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management is evaluating the impact the guidance will have on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements and believes the adoption will impact the Consolidated Balance Sheet with significant increases in assets and liabilities.

In January 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01: “Financial Instruments–Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This guidance was issued to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The guidance eliminates the classification of equity securities into different categories (that is, trading or available-for-sale) and requires equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. This guidance will require Adtalem to record the changes in the fair value of its available-for-sale equity investments through net income. Management anticipates the adoption will not have a significant impact on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This guidance was issued to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Adtalem will implement this guidance effective July 1, 2018 using the retrospective approach. Management is currently assessing Adtalem’s revenue recognition policies and procedures, and based on the analysis performed to date, anticipates the adoption will not have a significant impact on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reclassifications

Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, we changed our reportable segments as described in “Note 14: Segment Information.” Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current reportable segment presentation within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, we retrospectively adopted ASU 2016-18: “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.” Under ASU 2016-18, changes in restricted cash is no longer included as cash provided by or used in operating activities since these balances are now included in the beginning and ending balance of cash in the statement of cash flows. In addition, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, we retrospectively adopted ASU 2016-09: “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” Under ASU 2016-09, cash outflows from employee taxes paid when shares are withheld are classified as a financing activity. Our prior practice classified these amounts as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. Therefore, we changed line items on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended September 30, 2016 based on adopting ASU 2016-09 and 2016-18 as follows (in thousands):

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Previously Reported	$	97,768
ASU 2016-09 Adjustment		2,378
ASU 2016-18 Adjustment		(1,388)
As Currently Reported	$	98,758

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities:
Previously Reported	$	124,788
ASU 2016-09 Adjustment		(2,378)
As Currently Reported	$	122,410

Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:
Previously Reported	$	(119,147)
ASU 2016-18 Adjustment		(1,388)
As Currently Reported	$	(120,535)

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Year:
Previously Reported	$	189,017
ASU 2016-18 Adjustment		5,795
As Currently Reported	$	194,812