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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of UTI and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, our proprietary loan program, allowance for uncollectible accounts, investments, property and equipment, goodwill recoverability, self-insurance claim liabilities, income taxes, contingencies and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of our analysis form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and the impact of such differences may be material to our consolidated financial statements. Revenue Recognition Postsecondary education Revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for discounts and scholarships that we sponsor and for refunds for students who withdraw from our programs prior to specified dates. We apply the five-step model outlined in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts from Customers (“ASC 606”). Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. Approximately 99%, 99% and 98% of our revenues for each of the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, consisted of gross tuition. The majority of our core programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks, and our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration. We supplement our revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies and other revenues, which are recognized as the transfer of goods or services occurs. Deferred revenue represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our consolidated balance sheets because it is expected to be earned within the next 12 months. Through our proprietary loan program, we, in substance, provide the students who participate in this program with extended payment terms for a portion of their tuition. Based on historical collection rates, we can demonstrate that a portion of these loans are collectible. Accordingly, we recognize tuition and loan origination fees financed by the loan and any related interest revenue under the effective interest method required under the loan based on this collection rate. Other We provide dealer technician training or instructor staffing services to manufacturers. Revenues are recognized as transfer of the services occurs. Proprietary Loan Program In order to provide funding for students who are not able to fully finance the cost of their education under traditional governmental financial aid programs, commercial loan programs or other alternative sources, we established a private loan program with a bank. Under the terms of the proprietary loan program, the bank originates loans for our students who meet our specific credit criteria with the related proceeds used exclusively to fund a portion of their tuition. We then purchase all such loans from the bank at least monthly and assume all of the related credit risk. The loans bear interest at market rates ranging from approximately 7% to 10%; however, principal and interest payments are not required until six months after the student completes or withdraws from his or her program. After the deferral period, monthly principal and interest payments are required over the related term of the loan. The repayment term is up to 10 years. The bank provides these services in exchange for a fee at a percentage of the principal balance of each loan and related fees. Under the terms of the related agreement, we transfer funds for loan purchases to a deposit account with the bank in advance of the bank funding the loan, which secures our related loan purchase obligation. Such funds are classified as restricted cash in our consolidated balance sheet. All related expenses incurred with the bank or other service providers are expensed as incurred within educational services and facilities expense and were approximately $0.9 million, $1.1 million and $1.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The portion of tuition revenue related to the proprietary loan program is considered a form of variable consideration. We estimate the amount we ultimately expect to collect from the portion of tuition that is funded by the proprietary loan program, resulting in a note receivable. Estimating the collection rate requires significant management judgment. The estimated amount is determined at the inception of the contract, and we recognize the related revenue as the student progresses through school. Each reporting period, we update our assessment of the variable collection rate associated with the proprietary loan program. Prior to adopting ASC 606 on October 1, 2017, we recognized revenue related to the proprietary loan program as cash was received. Restricted Cash Restricted cash includes funds held as collateral for certain of the surety bonds that our insurers issue on behalf of our campuses and admissions representatives with multiple states, which are required to maintain authorization to conduct our business, funds transferred in advance of loan purchases under our proprietary loan program and funds held for students from Title IV financial aid program funds that result in credit balances on a student’s account. Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts We maintain an allowance for uncollectible accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of our students to make required payments. We offer a variety of payment plans to help students pay that portion of their education expenses not covered by financial aid programs or alternate fund sources, which are unsecured and not guaranteed. Management analyzes accounts receivable, historical percentages of uncollectible accounts, customer credit worthiness and changes in payment history when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for uncollectible accounts. We use an internal group of collectors, augmented by third party collectors as deemed appropriate, in our collection efforts. Although we believe that our allowance is adequate, if the financial condition of our students deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, or if we underestimate the allowances required, additional allowances may be necessary, which would result in increased selling, general and administrative expenses in the period such determination is made. Property and Equipment Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line method over the remaining useful life of the asset or term of lease, whichever is shorter. Costs relating to software developed for internal use and curriculum development are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the related estimated useful lives. Such costs include direct costs of materials and services as well as payroll and related costs for employees who are directly associated with the projects. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. We review the carrying value of our property and equipment for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment by examining estimated future cash flows. These cash flows are evaluated by using probability weighting techniques as well as comparisons of past performance against projections. Assets may also be evaluated by identifying independent market values. If we determine that an asset’s carrying value is impaired, we will write-down the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value and charge the impairment as an operating expense in the period in which the determination is made. There were no significant impairment charges required for the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018. Goodwill Our goodwill balance of $8.2 million resulted from the acquisition of our motorcycle and marine education business in 1998 and is allocated to our MMI Orlando, Florida campus that provides the related educational programs. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment, which may result from the deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in the applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances. Any resulting impairment charge would be recognized as an expense in the period in which impairment is identified. On March 19, 2020, we suspended all in person classes at all of our campuses, including our Orlando, Florida campus, for the safety and protection of our students and staff, to help slow the spread of COVID-19, and to comply with state and local orders and restrictions. On March 25, 2020, we began offering the classroom portion of our training online so that students who elected to remain enrolled in the program could continue their education from home. During May of 2020, our Orlando, Florida campus reopened for students to complete hands-on labs, which have been re-designed to meet CDC, state and local guidelines for health, safety and social distancing. While some student graduation dates have been delayed due to the closure, the average students enrolled at our Orlando, Florida campus only decreased by 3.8% as compared to the prior year. Even with the impacts of COVID-19, our new student enrollments at the Orlando, Florida campus increased by 3.4% during 2020 over the prior year. After performing a qualitative analysis, there were no indicators of goodwill impairment as of September 30, 2020. Self-Insurance Plans We are self-insured for claims related to employee health and dental care and claims related to workers’ compensation. Liabilities associated with these plans are estimated by management with consideration of our historical loss experience, severity factors and independent actuarial analysis. Our claim liabilities are based on estimates, and while we believe the amounts accrued are adequate, the ultimate losses may differ from the amounts provided. Our recorded net liability related to self-insurance plans was $3.4 million as of September 30, 2020. Leases We lease the majority of our administrative and educational facilities under operating lease agreements. Upon adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”) as of October 1, 2019, we derecognized our previously recorded deferred rent balance. ASC 842 requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for substantially all leases, with the exception of short-term leases. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income. We adopted ASC 842 under a modified retrospective method without the recasting of comparative periods’ financial information. See Note 3 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for further detail regarding the adoption of ASC 842 and the impact on our financial statements and Note 10 “Leases” for our fiscal 2020 disclosures. Advertising Costs Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred and totaled approximately $39.7 million, $41.2 million and $44.8 million for the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation Historically, we have issued restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options. Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are subject to vesting with service and performance conditions. We measure all share-based payments to employees at estimated fair value. We recognize the compensation expense for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units with only service conditions on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We granted restricted stock awards with both service and performance conditions during the year ended September 30, 2020. We did not grant any stock options during the year ended September 30, 2020. Shares issued under our equity compensation plans are new shares. Compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance units is measured based on the grant date fair value of our common stock, discounted for non-participation in anticipated dividends during the vesting period. The requisite service period for restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance units is generally the vesting period. We estimate the fair value of performance units using a Monte Carlo simulation which requires assumptions for expected volatility, risk-free rates of return, and dividend yields. Expected volatilities are derived using a method that calculates historical volatility over a period equal to the length of the measurement period for UTI. We use a risk-free rate of return that is equal to the yield of a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bill that is commensurate with each measurement period, and we assume that any dividends paid were reinvested. Stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million, $1.4 million and $1.9 million was recorded for the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The tax benefit related to stock-based compensation recognized was $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million for the years ended September 30, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. See Note 14 for further discussion. Income Taxes We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences of events attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. We also recognize deferred tax assets for net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced through a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Concentration of Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments and receivables. As of September 30, 2020, we held cash and cash equivalents of $76.8 million, restricted cash of $12.1 million and short-term held-to-maturity investments of $38.1 million. We place our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash with high quality financial institutions and limit the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution. We mitigate the concentration risk of our investments by limiting the amount invested in any one issuer. We mitigate the risk associated with our investment in corporate bonds by requiring a minimum credit rating of A. We have the ability and intention to hold these investments until maturity and therefore have classified these investments as held-to-maturity and recorded them at amortized cost. We extend credit for tuition and fees, for a limited period of time, to a majority of our students. A substantial portion is repaid through the student’s participation in federally funded financial aid programs. Transfers of funds from the financial aid programs to us are made in accordance with the ED requirements. Approximately 66% of our revenues, on a cash basis, were collected from funds distributed under Title IV Programs for the year ended September 30, 2020 as calculated under the 90/10 rule. Additionally, approximately 17% of our revenues, on a cash basis, were collected from funds distributed under various veterans benefits programs for the year ended September 30, 2020. The financial aid and veterans benefits programs are subject to political and budgetary considerations. There is no assurance that such funding will be maintained at current levels. Extensive and complex regulations govern the financial assistance programs in which our students participate. Our administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by various regulatory agencies. Any regulatory violation could be the basis for the initiation of potential adverse actions, including a suspension, limitation, placement on reimbursement status or termination proceeding, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. ED and other regulators have increased the frequency and severity of their enforcement actions against postsecondary schools which have resulted in the imposition of material liabilities, sanctions, letter of credit requirements and other restrictions and, in some cases, resulted in the loss of schools’ eligibility to receive Title IV funds or in closure of the schools. If any of our institutions were to lose its eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs, the students at that institution would lose access to funds derived from those programs and would have to seek alternative sources of funds to pay their tuition and fees. Students obtain access to federal student financial aid through an ED prescribed application and eligibility certification process. Student financial aid funds are generally made available to students at prescribed intervals throughout their predetermined expected length of study. Students typically apply the funds received from the federal financial aid programs to pay their tuition and fees. The transfer of funds is from the financial aid program to the student, who then uses those funds to pay for a portion of the cost of their education. The receipt of financial aid funds reduces the student’s amounts due to us and has no impact on revenue recognition, as the transfer relates to the source of funding for the costs of education, which may occur either through Title IV or other funds and resources available to the student. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying value of cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred tuition approximates their respective fair value as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Start-up Costs Costs related to the start-up of new campuses and programs are expensed as incurred.

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