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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Star Group, L.P. and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income is comprised of Net income and Other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of the unrealized gain (loss) amortization on the Company’s pension plan obligation for its frozen defined benefit pension plan, unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedges and the corresponding tax effects. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 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 reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for revenue recognition accounting policies. Sales of petroleum products are recognized at the time of delivery to the customer and sales of heating and air conditioning equipment are recognized upon completion of installation. Revenue from repairs, maintenance and other services are recognized upon completion of the service. Payments received from customers for equipment service contracts are deferred and amortized into income over the terms of the respective service contracts, on a straight-line basis, which generally do not exceed one year. To the extent that the Company anticipates that future costs for fulfilling its contractual obligations under its service maintenance contracts will exceed the amount of deferred revenue currently attributable to these contracts, the Company recognizes a loss in current period earnings equal to the amount that anticipated future costs exceed related deferred revenues. Cost of Product Cost of product includes the cost of home heating oil, diesel, propane, kerosene, gasoline, throughput costs, barging costs, option costs, and realized gains/losses on closed derivative positions for product sales. Cost of Installations and Services Cost of installations and services includes equipment and material costs, wages and benefits for equipment technicians, dispatchers and other support personnel, subcontractor expenses, commissions and vehicle related costs. Delivery and Branch Expenses Delivery and branch expenses include wages and benefits and department related costs for drivers, dispatchers, garage mechanics, customer service, sales and marketing, compliance, credit and branch accounting, information technology, vehicle and property rental costs, insurance, weather hedge contract costs and recoveries, and operational management and support. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses include property costs, wages and benefits (including profit sharing) and department related costs for human resources, finance and corporate accounting, internal audit, administrative support and supply. Allocation of Net Income Net income for partners’ capital and statement of operations is allocated to the general partner and the limited partners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages, after giving effect to cash distributions paid to the general partner in excess of its ownership interest, if any. Net Income per Limited Partner Unit Income per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260-10-05 Earnings Per Share, Master Limited Partnerships (EITF 03-06), by dividing the limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding. The pro forma nature of the allocation required by this standard provides that in any accounting period where the Company’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distribution for such period, the Company is required to present net income per limited partner unit as if all of the earnings for the periods were distributed, regardless of whether those earnings would actually be distributed during a particular period from an economic or practical perspective. This allocation does not impact the Company’s overall net income or other financial results. However, for periods in which the Company’s aggregate net income exceeds its aggregate distributions for such period, it will have the impact of reducing the earnings per limited partner unit, as the calculation according to this standard results in a theoretical increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the general partner. In accounting periods where aggregate net income does not exceed aggregate distributions for such period, this standard does not have any impact on the Company’s net income per limited partner unit calculation. A separate and independent calculation for each quarter and year-to-date period is performed, in which the Company’s contractual participation rights are taken into account. Cash Equivalents, Receivables, Revolving Credit Facility Borrowings, and Accounts Payable The carrying amount of cash equivalents, receivables, revolving credit facility borrowings, and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2024, the $117.6 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the consolidated statement of cash flows is comprised of $117.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and $0.3 million of restricted cash. At September 30, 2023, the $45.4 million of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash on the consolidated statement of cash flows is comprised of $45.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and $0.3 million of restricted cash. Restricted cash represents deposits held by our captive insurance company that are required by state insurance regulations to remain in the captive insurance company as cash. Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivables from customers are recorded at the invoiced amounts. Finance charges may be applied to trade receivables that are more than 30 days past due, and are recorded as finance charge income. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s estimate of the amount of trade receivables that may not be collectible. The allowance is determined at an aggregate level by grouping accounts based on certain account criteria and its receivable aging. The allowance is based on both quantitative and qualitative factors, including historical loss experience, historical collection patterns, overdue status, aging trends, current and future economic conditions. The Company has an established process to periodically review current and past due trade receivable balances to determine the adequacy of the allowance. No single statistic or measurement determines the adequacy of the allowance. The total allowance reflects management’s estimate of losses inherent in its trade receivables at the balance sheet date. Different assumptions or changes in economic conditions could result in material changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Inventories Liquid product inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value computed on the weighted average cost method. All other inventories, representing parts and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the FIFO method. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets using the straight-line method. Land improvement useful lives are between ten and twenty years, buildings and leasehold improvements useful lives are between five and thirty years, fleet and other equipment useful lives are between one to fifteen years, tanks and equipment lives are between three to ten years, furniture, fixtures and office equipment useful lives are between five to ten years. Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets and Related Lease Liabilities The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Lease liabilities are measured at the lease commencement date in an amount equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments over the lease term. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are recognized based on the amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made to the lessor at or before the commencement date, minus any lease incentives received, plus any initial direct costs incurred. Renewal options are included in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability when it is determined that they are reasonably certain of exercise. Certain of our lease arrangements contain non-lease components such as common area maintenance. We have elected to account for the lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component for properties and vehicles. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized on our balance sheet. The Company has leases that have variable payments, including lease payments where lease payment increases are based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. For such leases, payment at the lease commencement date is used to measure the ROU assets and operating lease liabilities. Changes in the index and other variable payments are expensed as incurred. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our incremental borrowing rate, because the interest rate implicit in our operating leases is not readily determinable. The basis for an incremental borrowing rate is our term loan, market-based yield curves and comparable debt securities. Captive Insurance Collateral The captive insurance collateral is held by our captive insurance company in an irrevocable trust as collateral for certain workers’ compensation and automobile liability claims. The collateral is required by a third party insurance carrier that insures per claim amounts above a set deductible. If we did not deposit cash into the trust, the third party carrier would require that we issue an equal amount of letters of credit, which would reduce our availability under the credit agreement. Due to the expected timing of claim payments, the nature of the collateral agreement with the carrier, and our captive insurance company’s source of other operating cash, the collateral is not expected to be used to pay obligations within the next twelve months. Unrealized gains and losses, net of related income taxes, are reported as accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss), except for losses from impairments which are determined to be other-than-temporary. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in the determination of net income and are included in Interest expense, net, at which time the average cost basis of these securities are adjusted to fair value. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets include goodwill, customer lists, trade names and covenants not to compete. Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets in the acquisition of a company. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but instead are annually tested for impairment. The Company has one reporting unit and performs a qualitative, and when necessary quantitative, impairment test on its goodwill annually on August 31 st or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill might be impaired. We performed qualitative assessments (commonly referred to as Step 0) to evaluate whether it is more-likely-than-not (a likelihood that is more than 50%) that goodwill has been impaired, as a basis to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative impairment test. This qualitative assessment includes a review of factors such as our reporting unit’s market value compared to its carrying value, our short-term and long-term unit price performance, our planned overall business strategy compared to recent financial results, as well as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, and other relevant Company-specific events. Goodwill impairment if any, needs to be determined if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. If goodwill is determined to be impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the excess of the net book value of the goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment valuation in each of the periods ended August 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, and it was determined based on each year’s analysis that there was no goodwill impairment. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. The assessment for impairment requires estimates of future cash flows related to the intangible asset. To the extent the carrying value of the assets exceeds its future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded based on the fair value of the asset. We use amortization methods and determine asset values based on our best estimates using reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections. Key assumptions used to determine the value of these intangibles include projections of future customer attrition or growth rates, product margin increases, operating expenses, our cost of capital, and corporate income tax rates. For significant acquisitions we may engage a third party valuation firm to assist in the valuation of intangible assets of that acquisition. We assess the useful lives of intangible assets based on the estimated period over which we will receive benefit from such intangible assets such as historical evidence regarding customer churn rate. In some cases, the estimated useful lives are based on contractual terms. Customer lists are the names and addresses of an acquired company’s customers. Based on historical retention experience, these lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over seven to ten years. Trade names are the names of acquired companies. Based on the economic benefit expected and historical retention experience of customers, trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over three to twenty years. Business Combinations We use the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires us to use significant estimates and assumptions, including fair value estimates, as of the business combination date, and to refine those estimates as necessary during the measurement period (defined as the period, not to exceed one year, in which the amounts recognized for a business combination may be adjusted). Each acquired company’s operating results are included in our consolidated financial statements starting on the date of acquisition. The purchase price is equivalent to the fair value of consideration transferred. Tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition are recorded at the acquisition date fair value. The separately identifiable intangible assets generally are comprised of customer lists, trade names and covenants not to compete. Goodwill is recognized for the excess of the purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Costs that are incurred to complete the business combination such as legal and other professional fees are not considered part of consideration transferred and are charged to general and administrative expense as they are incurred. For any given acquisition, certain contingent consideration may be identified. Estimates of the fair value of liability or asset classified contingent consideration are included under the acquisition method as part of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed. At each reporting date, these estimates are remeasured to fair value, with changes recognized in earnings. Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company reviews intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company determines whether the carrying values of such assets are recoverable over their remaining estimated lives through undiscounted future cash flow analysis. If such a review should indicate that the carrying amount of the assets is not recoverable, the Company will reduce the carrying amount of such assets to fair value. Finance Charge Income Finance charge income represents late customer payment charges and financing income from extended payment plans associated with installations. Deferred Charges Deferred charges represent the costs associated with the issuance of the term loan and revolving credit facility and are amortized over the life of the facility. Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as they are incurred. Advertising expenses were $15.0 million, $13.5 million, and $13.0 million, in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively and are recorded in delivery and branch expenses. Customer Credit Balances Customer credit balances represent payments received in advance from customers pursuant to a balanced payment plan (whereby customers pay on a fixed monthly basis) and the payments made have exceeded the charges for liquid product and other services. Environmental Costs Costs associated with managing hazardous substances and pollution are expensed on a current basis. Accruals are made for costs associated with the remediation of environmental pollution when it becomes probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities are recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Self-Insurance Liability The Company self-insures a number of risks, including a portion of workers’ compensation, auto, general liability and medical liability. Self-insurance liabilities are established and periodically evaluated, based upon expectations as to what the ultimate liability may be for outstanding claims using developmental factors based upon historical claim experience, including frequency, severity, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions, with support from a qualified third-party actuary and external consultants. Liabilities are recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Income Taxes At a special meeting held October 25, 2017, unitholders voted in favor of proposals to have the Company be treated as a corporation effective November 1, 2017, instead of a partnership, for federal income tax purposes (commonly referred to as a “check-the-box” election) along with amendments to our Partnership Agreement to effect such changes in income tax classification. For corporate subsidiaries of the Company, a consolidated Federal income tax return is filed. The accompanying financial statements are reported on a fiscal year, however, the Company and its Corporate subsidiaries file Federal and State income tax returns on a calendar year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence including historical tax losses, it is more likely than not that some or all of deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. Sales, Use and Value Added Taxes Taxes are assessed by various governmental authorities on many different types of transactions. Sales reported for product, installations and services exclude taxes. Derivatives and Hedging Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and included in the consolidated balance sheet as assets or liabilities. The Company has elected not to designate its commodity derivative instruments as hedging instruments but rather as economic hedges whose changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized in our statement of operations in the caption (Increase) decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments. Depending on the risk being economically hedged, realized gains and losses are recorded in cost of product, cost of installations and services, or delivery and branch expenses. The Company has designated its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedging derivatives. To the extent these derivative instruments are effective and the accounting standard’s documentation requirements have been met, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings. Fair Value Valuation Approach The Company uses valuation approaches that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements): • Level 1 inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date. • Level 2 inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. • Level 3 inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date. Weather Hedge Contract To partially mitigate the effect of weather on cash flows, the Company has used weather hedge contracts for a number of years. Weather hedge contracts are recorded in accordance with the intrinsic value method defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815-45-15 Derivatives and Hedging, Weather Derivatives (EITF 99-2). The premium paid is included in the caption prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying balance sheets and amortized over the life of the contract, with the intrinsic value method applied at each interim period. The Company entered into weather hedge contracts for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The hedge period runs from November 1 through March 31, taken as a whole. The “Payment Thresholds,” or strikes, are set at various levels and are referenced against degree days for the prior ten year average. Under these contracts the maximum amount the Company can receive is $12.5 million annually. For the contracts applicable to fiscal 2022 and 2023, we were additionally obligated to make an annual payment capped at $5.0 million if degree days exceeded the Payment Threshold. This obligation does not exist under the contract applicable to fiscal year 2024. The temperatures experienced during the hedge period through March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 were warmer than the strikes in the weather hedge contracts. As a result for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company reduced delivery and branch expenses for the gains realized under those contracts of $7.5 million, $12.5 million and $1.1 million respectively. The amounts were received in full in April 2024, April 2023 and April 2022, respectively. For fiscal 2025, the Company entered into weather hedge contracts with the similar hedge period described above. The maximum that the Company can receive is $15.0 million annually and we are additionally obligated to make an annual payment capped at $5.0 million if degree days exceed the Payment Threshold. Pension plan The Company has one frozen defined benefit pension plan (“the Plan”). The Company has no post-retirement benefit plans. The Company estimates the rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate used to estimate the present value of future benefit obligations in determining its annual pension and other postretirement benefit cost. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plan are reasonable based on its experience and market conditions. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires accounting for contract assets and liabilities from contracts with customers in a business combination to be accounted for in accordance with ASC No. 606. The Company adopted the standard effective October 1, 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The disclosure requirements included in ASU No. 2023-07 are required for all public entities, including entities with a single reportable segment. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is required to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statement disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to income tax disclosures, which requires that an entity, on an annual basis, disclose additional income tax information, primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Adoption is either with a prospective method or a fully retrospective method of transition. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not determined the timing of adoption and is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, requiring disclosure in the notes to the financial statements for specified information about certain costs and expenses. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, with early adoption and retrospective application permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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