1. Organization, Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Business

MYR Group Inc. (“the Company”) is a holding company of specialty electrical construction service providers and is currently conducting operations through wholly-owned subsidiaries including: The L. E. Myers Co., a Delaware corporation; Harlan Electric Company, a Michigan corporation; Hawkeye Construction, Inc., an Oregon corporation; Great Southwestern Construction, Inc., a Colorado corporation; Sturgeon Electric Company, Inc., a Michigan corporation; MYR Transmission Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation; MYR Group Construction Canada, Ltd., a British Columbia corporation; MYR Transmission Services Canada, Ltd., a British Columbia corporation; and Northern Transmission Services, Ltd., a British Columbia corporation.

The Company performs construction services in two business segments: Transmission and Distribution (“T&D”), and Commercial and Industrial (“C&I”). T&D customers include electric utilities, cooperatives, government-funded utilities and private developers. The Company provides a broad range of services, which include design, engineering, procurement, construction, upgrade, maintenance and repair services, with a particular focus on construction, maintenance and repair. The Company also provides C&I electrical contracting services to property owners and general contractors in the western United States.

Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Reclassification

Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation. The Company reclassified shares withheld to satisfy employee tax obligations upon vesting of restricted and performance shares to repurchase of common shares on the consolidated statements of cash flows and the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues under long-term contracts are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes that profit over the contract term based on either input (e.g., costs incurred under the cost-to-cost method) or output (e.g., units delivered under the units-of-delivery method), as appropriate under the circumstances.

Revenues from the Company’s construction services are performed under fixed-price, time-and-equipment, time-and-materials, unit-price, and cost-plus fee contracts. For fixed-price contracts, the Company uses the ratio of cost incurred to date on the contract (excluding uninstalled direct materials) to management’s estimate of the contract’s total cost, to determine the percentage of completion on each contract. This method is used as management considers expended costs to be the best available measure of progression of these contracts. Contract cost includes all direct costs on contracts, including labor and material, subcontractor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as supplies, fuel, tool repairs and depreciation. The Company recognizes revenues from construction services with fees based on time-and-materials, unit prices, or cost-plus fee as the services are performed and amounts are earned.

Contract costs incurred to date and expected total contract costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract. Changes in job performance, job conditions and final contract settlements are factors that influence management’s assessment of total contract value and the total estimated costs to complete those contracts and therefore, the Company’s profit recognition. These changes, which include contracts with estimated costs in excess of estimated revenues, are recognized in contract costs in the period in which the revisions are determined. At the point the Company anticipates a loss on a contract, the Company estimates the ultimate loss through completion and recognizes that loss in the period in which the possible loss was identified. If contracts include contract incentives or bonuses, they are included in estimated contract revenues only when the achievement of such incentives or bonuses is reasonably certain.

A change order is a modification to a contract that changes the provisions of the contract, typically resulting from changes in scope, specifications, design, manner of performance, facilities, equipment, materials, sites, or period of completion of the work under the contract. A claim is an amount in excess of the agreed-upon contract price that the Company seeks to collect from its clients or others for client-caused delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, change orders that are either in dispute or are unapproved as to both scope and price, or other causes. Costs related to change orders and claims are recognized when incurred. Revenue from a change order is included in total estimated contract revenue when it is probable that the change order will result in an addition to contract value and can be reliably estimated. Revenue from a claim is included in total estimated contract revenues, only to the extent that contract costs related to the claim have been incurred, when it is probable that the claim will result in an addition to contract value which can be reliably estimated. No profit is recognized on a claim until final settlement occurs.

The Company provides warranties to customers on a basis customary to the industry; however, the warranty period does not typically exceed one year. Historically, warranty claims have not been material to the Company.

Total revenues do not include sales tax as the Company considers itself a pass-through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes. Sales tax collected from customers is included in other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The most significant estimates are related to estimates to complete on contracts, insurance reserves, accounts receivable reserves, the recoverability of goodwill and intangibles and estimates surrounding stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

During 2014 and 2013 the Company revised its cost estimates on several large transmission projects, which resulted in the recognition of approximately 1.9% and 0.8% of additional gross margin, respectively. During 2014 the incremental gross margin resulted in $18.4 million of additional income from operations, $11.6 million of additional net income, and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.54. During 2013 the incremental gross margin resulted in $7.7 million of additional income from operations, $4.9 million of additional net income, and increased diluted earnings per share by $0.23.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed when incurred. Advertising costs, included in selling, general and administrative expenses, were $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the underlying assets or liabilities are recovered or settled.

Interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions are included in income tax expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Interest and penalties actually incurred are charged to interest expense and other expense, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company determines compensation expense for stock-based awards based on their estimated fair value at the grant date and recognizes the related compensation expense over the vesting period or requisite service period, whichever is shorter. The Company uses the straight-line attribution method to recognize compensation expense related to stock-based awards that have graded vesting and only service conditions. This method recognizes stock compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Stock-based compensation expense is adjusted for changes in estimated and actual forfeitures. The Company uses historical data to estimate the forfeiture rate that it uses; however, these estimates are subject to change and may impact the value that will ultimately be recognized as stock compensation expense. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense related to market-based performance awards based on the grant date fair value, which is computed using a Monte Carlo simulation, net of forfeitures. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense related to performance awards not based on market metrics based upon its determination of the potential achievement of the performance target at each reporting date, net of estimated forfeitures.

Earnings Per Share

The Company computes earnings per share using the two-class method, an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings, when that method results in a more dilutive effect than the Treasury method. The Company’s unvested grants of restricted stock granted prior to 2014 contained non-forfeitable rights to dividends and are treated as participating securities and included in the computation of basic earnings per share. The Company calculates basic earnings per share by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly, except that it reflects the potential dilutive impact that would occur if dilutive securities were exercised into common shares. Shares of restricted stock granted in 2014 are not considered participating securities because any dividends declared will be forfeited if the grantee leaves before the stock is vested. Potential common shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation when inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive or performance conditions are not met.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company held its cash in checking accounts or in highly liquid money market funds.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company does not charge interest to its customers and carries its customer receivables at their face amounts, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. Included in accounts receivable are balances billed to customers pursuant to retainage provisions in certain contracts that are due upon completion of the contract and acceptance by the customer, or earlier as provided by the contract. Based on the Company’s experience in recent years, the majority of customer balances at each balance sheet date are collected within twelve months. As is common practice in the industry, the Company classifies all accounts receivable, including retainage, as current assets. The contracting cycle for certain long-term contracts may extend beyond one year, and accordingly, collection of retainage on those contracts may extend beyond one year. The Company estimates that approximately 90% of retainage recorded at December 31, 2014 will be collected within one year.

The Company grants trade credit, on a non-collateralized basis (with the exception of lien rights against the property in certain cases), to its customers and is subject to potential credit risk related to changes in business and overall economic activity. The Company analyzes specific accounts receivable balances, historical bad debts, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. In the event that a customer balance is deemed to be uncollectible, the account balance is written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Classification of Construction Contract-related Assets and Liabilities

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts are presented as a current asset in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts are presented as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s contracts vary in duration, with the duration of some larger contracts exceeding one year. Consistent with industry practices, the Company includes the amounts realizable and payable under contracts, which may extend beyond one year, in current assets and current liabilities. The vast majority of these balances are settled within one year.

Construction Materials Inventory

When required, the Company provides construction materials for projects. Construction materials which have not yet been installed are included in construction materials inventory. Construction materials inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, as determined by the specific identification method. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company did not carry any construction materials inventory.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. Major modifications or refurbishments which extend the useful life of the assets are capitalized and depreciated over the adjusted remaining useful life of the assets. Upon retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed and any resulting gain or loss is recognized into income from operations. The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Additional financial information related to our property and equipment is provided in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company leases certain real estate, construction equipment and office equipment. Real estate is generally leased for terms up to ten years in duration. No new construction equipment leases have been entered into since 2010, although the Company continues to rent some equipment under short-term, cancelable agreements. The terms and conditions of material leases are reviewed at inception to determine the classification (operating or capital) of the lease. Nonperformance-related default covenants, cross-default provisions, subjective default provisions and material adverse change clauses contained in material lease agreements, if any, are also evaluated to determine whether those clauses affect lease classification in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840-10-25.

Insurance

The Company carries insurance policies, which are subject to certain deductibles, for workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability and other coverages. The deductible for each line of coverage is $1.0 million, except for certain of the Company’s health insurance benefit plans, which are subject to a $0.1 million deductible for qualified individuals. Losses up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon the Company’s estimates of the ultimate liability for claims reported and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.

The insurance and claims accruals are based on known facts, actuarial estimates and historical trends. While recorded accruals are based on the ultimate liability, which includes amounts in excess of the deductible, a corresponding receivable for amounts in excess of the stop loss deductible is included in current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment on an annual basis at the beginning of the fourth quarter, or when circumstances change, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate or the decision to sell a business, both of which would indicate that impairment may have occurred. The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. The qualitative assessment considers financial, industry, segment and macroeconomic factors. If the qualitative assessment indicates a potential for impairment, the two-step method is used to determine if impairment exists. The two-step method begins with a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the process involves a comparison of the implied fair value and carrying value of the goodwill of that reporting unit. The company also performs a qualitative assessment on intangible assets with indefinite lives. If the qualitative assessment indicates a potential for impairment, a quantitative impairment test would be performed to compare the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite-lived assets exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded in the statement of operations.

The qualitative assessments performed in 2014 determined it was not necessary to perform a two-step impairment test for goodwill or a quantitative impairment test for intangible assets with indefinite lives. As a result of the Company’s annual impairment review process, no impairment charges to goodwill or intangible assets were recorded during 2014, 2013 or 2012. Additional financial information related to our goodwill and intangible assets is provided in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Concentrations

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company maintains substantially all of its cash and cash equivalent balances with large financial institutions which are believed to be high quality institutions.

The Company grants trade credit under normal payment terms, generally without collateral, to its customers, which include high credit quality electric utilities, governmental entities, general contractors and builders, owners and managers of commercial and industrial properties. Consequently, the Company is subject to potential credit risk related to changes in business and economic factors. However, the Company generally has certain statutory lien rights with respect to services provided. Under certain circumstances such as foreclosures or negotiated settlements, the Company may take title to the underlying assets in lieu of cash in settlement of receivables. As of December 31, 2014, one customer individually exceeded 10.0% of consolidated accounts receivable with an aggregate of approximately 14.2% of the total consolidated accounts receivable amount (excluding the impact of allowance for doubtful accounts). As of December 31, 2013, one customer individually exceeded 10.0% of consolidated accounts receivable with an aggregate of approximately 14.4% of the total consolidated accounts receivable amount (excluding the impact of allowance for doubtful accounts). The Company believes the terms and conditions in its contracts, billing and collection policies are adequate to minimize the potential credit risk.

The Company is subject to a concentration of risk because it derives a significant portion of its revenues from a few customers. The Company’s top ten customers accounted for approximately 46.5%, 57.8% and 59.6% of consolidated revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no single customer accounted for more than 10.0% of annual revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Cross Texas Transmission, LLC, a T&D customer, accounted for 15.1% of revenues. No other single customer accounted for more than 10.0% of our annual revenues in the year ended December 31, 2012.

As of December 31, 2014, approximately 91% of the Company’s craft labor employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. Although the majority of these agreements prohibit strikes and work stoppages, the Company cannot be certain that strikes or work stoppages will not occur in the future.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Changes to U.S. GAAP are typically established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. The Company, based on its assessment, determined that any recently issued or proposed ASUs not listed below are either not applicable to the Company or have minimal impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The amendments under this pronouncement may change how an entity recognizes revenue from contracts it enters to transfer goods, services or nonfinancial assets to its customers. These changes created a comprehensive framework for all entities in all industries to apply in the determination of when to recognize revenue, and, therefore, supersede virtually all existing revenue recognition requirements and guidance. This framework is expected to result in less complex guidance in application while providing a consistent and comparable methodology for revenue recognition. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with the customer; Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract; Step 3: Determine the transaction price. Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; Step 5: Recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies the performance obligations. In addition, the amendments require expanded disclosure to enable the users of the financial statements to understand the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flow arising from contracts with customers. The update is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is evaluating the impact of this pronouncement on its policies and procedures pertaining to recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, the pronouncement’s expanded disclosure requirements and the impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date. This update requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. Obligations within the scope of this update include debt arrangements, other contractual obligations and settled litigation and judicial rulings. The Company adopted this ASU in January 2014 and there was no impact on its financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite — Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. This update was intended to simplify how entities test impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill. The new guidance permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform certain additional impairment tests. The Company adopted this ASU in January 2013 and there was no effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.