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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards | 12 Months Ended
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Apr. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation: Our Consolidated Financial Statements include all the accounts of the Company and our subsidiaries. We have eliminated all intercompany transactions and balances in consolidation. All amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts, and approximate due to rounding. Reclassifications: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. Use of Estimates: The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in conformity with US GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include, among other items, sales return reserves, allocation of acquisition purchase price to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, intangible assets with definite lives and other long-lived assets, and retirement plans. We review these estimates and assumptions periodically using historical experience and other factors and reflect the effects of any revisions on the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period we determine any revisions to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates, which could affect the reported results. Book Overdrafts: Under our cash management system, a book overdraft balance exists for our primary disbursement accounts. This overdraft represents uncleared checks in excess of cash balances in individual bank accounts. Our funds are transferred from other existing bank account balances or from lines of credit as needed to fund checks presented for payment. As of April 30, 2023 and 2022, book overdrafts of $14.6 million and $19.4 million, respectively, were included in Accounts payable on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Revenue Recognition: Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized using a five-step model consisting of the following: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. Performance obligations are satisfied when we transfer control of a good or service to a customer, which can occur over time or at a point in time. The amount of revenue recognized is based on the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, including the expected value of variable consideration. The customer’s ability and intent to pay the transaction price is assessed in determining whether a contract exists with the customer. If collectability of substantially all the consideration in a contract is not probable, consideration received is not recognized as revenue unless the consideration is nonrefundable, and we no longer have an obligation to transfer additional goods or services to the customer, or collectability becomes probable. See Note 3, “Revenue Recognition, Contracts with Customers,” for further details of our revenue recognition policy. Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase and are stated at cost, which approximates market value, because of the short-term maturity of the instruments. Allowance for Credit Losses: We are exposed to credit losses through our accounts receivable with customers. Accounts receivable, net, is stated at amortized cost net of provision for credit losses. Our methodology to measure the provision for credit losses requires an estimation of loss rates based upon historical loss experience adjusted for factors that are relevant to determining the expected collectability of accounts receivable such as, delinquency trends, aging behavior of receivables, credit and liquidity indicators for industry groups, customer classes or individual customers, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of the economic and geopolitical conditions that may exist through the contractual life of the asset. Our provision for credit losses is reviewed and revised periodically. Our accounts receivable is evaluated on a pool basis that is based on customer groups with similar risk characteristics. This includes consideration of the following factors to develop these pools: size of the customer, industry, geographical location, historical risk, and types of services or products sold. Our customers’ ability to pay is assessed through our internal credit review processes. Based on the value of credit extended, we assess our customers’ credit by reviewing the total expected receivable exposure, expected timing of payments, and the customers’ established credit rating. In determining customer creditworthiness, we assess our customers’ credit utilizing different resources including third-party validations and/or our own assessment through analysis of the customers’ financial statements and review of trade/bank references. We also consider contract terms and conditions, country and geopolitical risk, and the customers’ mix of products purchased in our evaluation. A credit limit is established for each customer based on the outcome of this review. Credit limits are periodically reviewed for existing customers and whenever an increase in the credit limit is being considered. When necessary, we utilize collection agencies and legal counsel to pursue recovery of defaulted receivables. We write off receivables only when deemed no longer collectible. The following table presents the change in provision for credit losses, which is presented net in Accounts receivable on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for the period indicated:
| Provision for Credit Losses
Balance as of April 30, 2022 | $ | 21,221 |
Current period provision | 347 |
Amounts written off, less recoveries | (2,592) |
Foreign exchange translation adjustments and other | (314) |
Balance as of April 30, 2023 | $ | 18,662 |
Sales Return Reserves: The process that we use to determine our sales returns and the related reserve provision charged against revenue, is based on applying an estimated return rate to current year returnable print book sales. This rate is based upon an analysis of actual historical return experience in the various markets and geographic regions in which we do business. We collect, maintain, and analyze significant amounts of sales returns data for large volumes of homogeneous transactions. This allows us to make reasonable estimates of the amount of future returns. All available data is utilized to identify the returns by market and to which fiscal year the sales returns apply. This enables management to track the returns in detail and identify and react to trends occurring in the marketplace, with the objective of being able to make the most informed judgments possible in setting reserve rates. Associated with the estimated sales return reserves, we also include a related increase to inventory and a reduction to accrued royalties as a result of the expected returns. Print book sales return reserves amounted to a net liability balance of $14.4 million and $19.4 million as of April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The reserves are reflected in the following accounts of the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of April 30:
| 2023 |  | 2022
Increase in Inventories, net | $ | 6,923 |  |  | $ | 7,820 |
Decrease in Accrued royalties | (3,240) |  |  | (3,893) |
Increase in Contract liabilities | 24,582 |  |  | 31,135 |
Print book sales return reserve net liability balance | $ | (14,419) |  |  | $ | (19,422) |
Inventories: Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. US book inventories aggregating $16.6 million and $20.6 million at April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. All other inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Finished goods not recorded at LIFO have been recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Product Development Assets: Product development assets consist of book composition costs and other product development costs and were included in Other non-current assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Costs associated with developing a book for publication are expensed until the product is determined to be commercially viable. Book composition costs represent the costs incurred to bring an edited commercial manuscript to publication, which include typesetting, proofreading, design, illustration costs, and digital formatting. Book composition costs are capitalized and are generally amortized on a double-declining basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 1 to 3 years. Other product development costs represent the costs incurred in developing software, platforms, and digital content to be sold and licensed to third parties. Other product development costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. As of April 30, 2023, the weighted average estimated useful life of other product development costs was approximately 6 years. Royalty Advances: Royalty advances are capitalized and, upon publication, are expensed as royalties earned based on sales of the published works. Royalty advances are reviewed for recoverability and a reserve for loss is maintained, if appropriate. Shipping and Handling Costs: Costs incurred for third party shipping and handling are primarily reflected in Operating and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. We incurred $27.1 million, $29.0 million, and $27.8 million in shipping and handling costs in the years ended April 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Advertising and Marketing Costs: Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred. These costs are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income as follows:
| For the Years Ended April 30,
| 2023 |  | 2022 |  | 2021
Advertising and marketing costs | $ | 93,385 |  |  | $ | 100,572 |  |  | $ | 93,646 |
Cost of sales(1) | 55,907 |  |  | 62,889 |  |  | 56,956 |
Operating and administrative expenses | 37,478 |  |  | 37,683 |  |  | 36,690 |
(1) | This includes certain advertising and marketing costs incurred by our Academic business to fulfill performance obligations from contracts with educational institutions.
Technology, Property, and Equipment: Technology, property, and equipment is recorded at cost, except for property and equipment that have been impaired, for which we reduce the carrying amount to the estimated fair value at the impairment date. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Technology, property, and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method based upon the following estimated useful lives: Computer Software – 3 to 10 years; Computer Hardware – 3 to 5 years; Buildings and Leasehold Improvements – the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset up to 40 years or the duration of the lease; Furniture, Fixtures, and Warehouse Equipment – 5 to 10 years. Costs incurred for computer software internally developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized during the application development stage and expensed as incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages. Costs incurred during the application development stage include costs of materials, services, and payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with the software project. Such costs are amortized over the expected useful life of the related software, which is generally 3 to 5 years. Costs related to the investment in our Enterprise Resource Planning and related systems are amortized over an expected useful life of 10 years. Maintenance, training, and upgrade costs that do not result in additional functionality are expensed as incurred. Allocation of Acquisition Purchase Price to Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed: In connection with acquisitions, we allocate the cost of the acquisition to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on the estimates of fair value for such items, including intangible assets and technology acquired. The excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The determination of the acquisition-date fair value of the assets acquired, and liabilities assumed, requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions, such as forecasted revenue growth rates and operating cash flows, royalty rates, customer attrition rates, obsolescence rates of developed technology, and discount rates. We may use a third-party valuation consultant to assist in the determination of such estimates. Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate of the following: (1) consideration transferred, (2) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and (3) if the business combination is achieved in stages, the acquisition-date fair value of our previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of brands and trademarks, and publishing rights, and are typically characterized by intellectual property with a long and well-established revenue stream resulting from strong and well-established imprint/brand recognition in the market. We use the acquisition method of accounting for all business combinations and do not amortize goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for possible impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. See Note 11, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for further details of our policy. Intangible Assets with Definite Lives and Other Long-Lived Assets: Definite-lived intangible assets principally consist of content and publishing rights, customer relationships, developed technology, brands and trademarks, and covenants not to compete agreements, and are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The most significant factors in determining the estimated lives of these intangibles are the history and longevity, combined with the strength and pattern of projected cash flows. Intangible assets with definite lives as of April 30, 2023 are amortized on a straight-line basis over the following weighted average estimated useful lives: content and publishing rights – 27 years, customer relationships – 16 years, developed technology – 7 years, brands and trademarks – 15 years, and covenants not to compete agreements – 5 years. Assets with definite lives are evaluated for impairment upon a significant change in the operating or macroeconomic environment. In these circumstances, if an evaluation of the projected undiscounted cash flows indicates impairment, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value based on the discounted future cash flows. Leases: We have contractual obligations as a lessee with respect to offices, warehouses and distribution centers, automobiles, and office equipment. See Note 12, “Operating Leases” for further details of our policy. Employee Benefit Plans: We provide various defined benefit plans to our employees. We use actuarial assumptions to calculate pension and benefit costs as well as pension assets and liabilities included in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 17, “Retirement Plans” for further details of our policy. Income Taxes: Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred taxes are measured using rates the Company expects to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The financial effect of changes in tax laws or rates is accounted for in the period of enactment. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that the realization of such benefits is more likely than not. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. From time to time, the Company engages in transactions in which the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty. Judgment is required in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. The Company prepares and files tax returns based on its interpretation of tax laws and regulations. In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities. In determining the Company’s tax provision for financial reporting purposes, the Company establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions, unless such positions are determined to be more likely than not of being sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. The Company includes interest and, where appropriate, penalties as a component of income tax expense. There is judgment involved in determining whether positions taken on the Company’s tax returns are more likely than not of being sustained, which involve the use of estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities. Derivative Financial Instruments: From time to time, we enter into foreign exchange forward and interest rate swap contracts as a hedge against foreign currency asset and liability commitments, changes in interest rates, and anticipated transaction exposures, including intercompany purchases. All derivatives are recognized as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. Derivatives that are not determined to be effective hedges are adjusted to fair value with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Foreign Currency Gains/Losses: We maintain operations in many non-US locations. Assets and liabilities are translated into US dollars using end-of-period exchange rates and revenues, and expenses are translated into US dollars using weighted average rates. Our significant investments in non-US businesses are exposed to foreign currency risk. Foreign currency translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss within Shareholders’ Equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Income as incurred. Stock-Based Compensation: We recognize stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the stock-based awards on the grant date, reduced by an estimate for future forfeited awards. As such, stock-based compensation expense is only recognized for those awards that are expected to ultimately vest. The fair value of stock-based awards is recognized in net income generally on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Stock-based compensation expense associated with performance-based stock awards is based on actual financial results for targets established up to three years in advance, or less. The cumulative effect on current and prior periods of a change in the estimated number of performance share awards, or estimated forfeiture rate, is recognized as an adjustment to earnings in the period of the revision. If actual results differ significantly from estimates, our stock-based compensation expense and Consolidated Statements of Income could be impacted. The grant date fair value for stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The determination of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model include the expected life of an option, the expected volatility of our common stock over the estimated life of the option, a risk-free interest rate, and the expected dividend yield. Judgment was also required in estimating the amount of stock-based awards that may be forfeited. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” In January 2021, the FASB clarified the scope of that guidance with the issuance of ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform: Scope.” These ASUs provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. This would apply to companies meeting certain criteria that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848," which extended the date to December 31, 2024. This standard was effective for us immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2024. On November 30, 2022, we amended the Amended and Restated CA (as defined in Note 14, “Debt and Available Credit Facilities”) and as a result we amended our outstanding interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to change the rates from LIBOR-based rates to SOFR-based rates. We applied ASU 2020-04 at the time of modification, and there was no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The future impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements will be based on any future contract modifications. Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance thereafter. ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for most financial assets held at the reporting date based on an expected loss model which includes historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 also required enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses. We adopted the new standard on May 1, 2020, with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 primarily impacted our trade receivables, specifically our allowance for doubtful accounts. The adoption of the standard did not have an impact on our Consolidated Statements of Income, or our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See above under the caption “Allowance for Credit Losses” for a discussion of our policy. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.” This ASU requires that an acquirer recognize, and measure, contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) as if it had originated the contracts. Generally, this would result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements if the acquiree prepared financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. This standard is effective for us on May 1, 2023, including interim periods within the fiscal year. The standard is applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. The impact will be based on future business combinations after we adopt the standard.

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