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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
(2) | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AETI and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, M&I and AAT, and M&I’s wholly-owned subsidiary SC. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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 the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates made by management include:
· | Percentage-of-completion estimates on long-term contracts
· | Estimates of the provision for doubtful accounts
· | Estimated useful lives of property and equipment
· | Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets
Financial Instruments The Company includes fair value information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements when the fair value of its financial instruments is different from the book value. When the book value approximates fair value, no additional disclosure is made, which is the case for financial instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company assumes the book value of those financial instruments that are classified as current approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. For non-current financial instruments, the Company uses quoted market prices or, to the extent that there are no available quoted market prices, market prices for similar instruments. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash balances routinely exceed FDIC limits however all cash is maintained in JP Morgan Chase and believed to be secure. Accounts Receivable and Provision for Bad Debts The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The estimate is based on management’s assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts and includes consideration for credit worthiness and financial condition of those specific customers. The Company also reviews historical experience with the customer, the general economic environment and the aging of its receivables. The Company records an allowance to reduce receivables to the amount it reasonably believes to be collectible. Based on this assessment, management believes the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with material value determined using an average cost method. Inventory costs for finished goods and work-in-process include direct material, direct labor, production overhead and outside services. TP&S and E&I indirect overhead is apportioned to work in process based on direct labor incurred. AAT production overhead, including indirect labor, is allocated to finished goods and work-in-process based on material consumption, which is an estimate that could be subject to change in the near term as additional information is obtained and as the operating environment changes. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred while renewals and betterments are capitalized. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets after giving effect to salvage values. If events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, management tests property and equipment for impairment. If the estimated future cash flows are projected to be less than the carrying amount, an impairment write-down (representing the carrying amount of the long-lived asset which exceeds the present value of estimated expected future cash flows) would be recorded as a period expense. Events that would trigger an impairment test include the following:
· | A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset.
· | A significant change in the use of long-lived assets or in its physical condition.
· | A significant change in the business climate that could affect an assets value.
· | An accumulation of cost significantly greater than the amount originally expected to acquire or construct a long-lived asset.
· | A current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of such losses or a forecast demonstrating continued losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset.
· | An expectation to sell or otherwise dispose of a long-lived asset significantly before the end of its estimated useful life.
Based on management’s reviews during each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no events or circumstances that caused management to believe that impairments were necessary. Other Assets
Intangible Assets at December 31, 2013 |  | Useful Lives (Years) |  |  | Cost |  |  | Accumulated Amortization |  |  | Net Value |
|  | (in thousands) |
Patents |  |  | 18 |  |  | $ | 95 |  |  | $ | 77 |  |  | $ | 18 |
Customer agreements |  |  | 10 |  |  |  | 173 |  |  |  | 148 |  |  |  | 25 |
Intellectual property |  |  | 3 |  |  |  | 322 |  |  |  | 197 |  |  |  | 125 |
|  |  |  |  |  | $ | 590 |  |  | $ | 422 |  |  | $ | 168 |
Amortization expense related to intangible assets held by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 was approximately $130,000 and was approximately $113,000 in 2012. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:
For the Year Ending December 31, |  | Amount |
|  | (in thousands) |
2014 |  | $ | 132 |
2015 |  |  | 31 |
2016 |  |  | 5 |
2017 |  |  | - |
2018 |  |  | - |
|  | $ | 168 |
On March 8, 2012, the Company acquired certain technology from Amnor Technologies, Inc. for cash of $100,000 plus 44,000 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $4.95 per share (the closing price on that date). One fourth of the shares were issued initially with the balance to be issued one third annually on the anniversaries over the subsequent 3 years. The purchase price was valued at $322,000 (including $4,000 of transaction costs) at March 8, 2012 and is recorded as an intangible asset and included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012. This cost is being amortized over its estimated useful life of 3 years. Amortization expense of $108,000 and $90,000 was recognized during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 respectively and is included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The technology provides automation and control system technologies for land and offshore drilling monitoring and control (auto-driller); marine automation including ballast control and tank monitoring and machinery plant control and monitoring systems; IP-based CCTV systems; and military vessel security and safety systems, all proven in multiple installations. Income Taxes The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. Under this method of accounting for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to be reported to the taxing authority. The Company also records any financial statement recognition and disclosure requirements for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its tax return. Financial statement recognition of the tax position is dependent on an assessment of a 50% or greater likelihood that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. Any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recorded as interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Foreign Currency Gains and Losses Foreign currency translations are included as a separate component of comprehensive income. We have determined the local currency of our foreign joint ventures’ operations to be the functional currency. In accordance with ASC 830, the assets and liabilities of our foreign equity investees, denominated in foreign currency, are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date; net sales and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Related translation adjustments are reported as other comprehensive income, net of taxes, which is a separate component of stockholders’ equity, whereas gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in results of operations. Net Sales Recognition The Company reports earnings from fixed-price and modified fixed-price long-term contracts on the percentage-of-completion method. Earnings are accrued based on the ratio of costs incurred to total estimated costs. However, for TP&S, we have determined that labor incurred provides an improved measure of percentage-of-completion. Costs include direct material, direct labor, and job related overhead. Losses expected to be incurred on contracts are charged to operations in the period such losses are determined. A contract is considered complete when all costs except insignificant items have been incurred and the facility has been accepted by the customer. Net sales from non-time and material jobs of a short-term nature (typically less than one month) are recognized on the completed-contract method after considering the attributes of such contracts. This method is used because these contracts are typically completed in a short period of time and the financial position and results of operations do not vary materially from those which would result from use of the percentage-of-completion method. The Company records net sales from its field and technical service and repair operations on a completed service basis after customer acknowledgement that the service has been completed and accepted. Approximately 8% of the Company’s consolidated net sales are recorded on this basis. In addition, the Company sells certain purchased parts and products. These net sales are recorded when the product is shipped and title passes to the customer. Approximately 3% of the Company’s consolidated net sales are recorded on this basis. AAT generally recognizes net sales when manufactured products are shipped and right of ownership passes. The asset, “Work-in-process,” which is included in inventories, represents the cost of labor, material, and overhead in excess of amounts billed on jobs accounted for under the completed-contract method. For contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, the asset, “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billing on uncompleted contracts,” represents net sales recognized in excess of amounts billed and the liability, “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” represents billings in excess of net sales recognized. Any billed net sale that has not been collected is reported as accounts receivable. The timing of when we bill our customers is generally dependent upon advance billing terms or completion of certain phases of the work. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, accounts receivable included contract retentions expected to be collected within one year totaling $10,000 and $424,000, respectively. This decline reflects the exit from water/wastewater contracts. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no contract retentions expected to be collected beyond one year. On occasion, the Company enters into long-term contracts that include services performed by more than one operating segment particularly TP&S contracts which include electrical and instrumentation construction services performed by our E&I segment. The Company segments net sales, costs and gross profit related to these contracts if they meet the contract segmenting criteria in ASC 605-35, including that the terms and scope of the project clearly call for separate elements, the separate elements are often bid or negotiated by the Company separately and the total economic returns and risks of the separate elements are similar to the economic returns and risks of the overall contract. For segmented contracts, the Company recognizes net sales as if they were separate contracts over the performance periods of the individual elements. Contract net sales recognition inherently involves estimation, including the contemplated level of effort to accomplish the tasks under the contract, the cost of the effort, and an ongoing assessment of progress toward completing the contract. From time to time, as part of the normal management processes, facts develop that requires revisions to estimated total cost or net sales expected. The cumulative impact of any revisions to estimates and the full impact of anticipated losses on contracts are recognized in the period in which they become known. Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs Shipping and handling fees, if billed to customers, are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight are expensed as incurred. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are classified as cost of sales. Concentration of Market Risk and Geographic Operations Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable. The Company’s market risk is dependent primarily on the strength of the oil and gas and energy related industries. The Company grants credit to customers and generally does not require security except in the case of certain international contracts. Procedures are in effect to monitor the credit worthiness of its customers. During 2012, one customer accounted for approximately 13% of net sales and 1% of net accounts receivable trade. During 2013, one customer accounted for approximately 17% of net sales and 9% of net accounts receivable trade. The Company sells its products and services in domestic and international markets; however, significant portions of the Company’s sales are concentrated with customers located in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The Gulf Coast region accounts for approximately 9% of the Company’s net sales during the year ended December 31, 2013 and 17% during 2012. Reclassification Certain items are reclassified in the 2012 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2013 presentation. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU No. 2011-11 was issued to provide enhanced disclosures that will enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. The amendments under ASU No. 2011-11 require enhanced disclosures by requiring entities to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This scope would include derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements, reverse sale and repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending arrangements. ASU No. 2011-11 is effective retrospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those periods. The adoption of ASU No. 2011-11 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Intangible - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. ASU No. 2012-02 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – General Intangibles Other than Goodwill. The more likely than not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Under ASU No. 2012-02, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying value. ASU No. 2012-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after September 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU No. 2012-02 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210) – Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU No. 2013-01 was issued to clarify that ordinary trade receivables and receivables are not within the scope of ASU No. 2011-11. ASU No. 2011-11 applies only to derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with specific criteria contained in the Codification or subject to a master netter arrangement or similar agreement. ASU No. 2013-01 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those periods. The adoption of ASU No. 2013-01 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830) – Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. ASU No. 2013-05 provides guidance on releasing cumulative translation adjustments when a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. In addition, ASU No. 2013-05 provides guidance on the release of cumulative translation adjustments in partial sales of equity method investments and in step acquisition. ASU No. 2013-05 is effective on a prospective basis for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and interim periods within those periods. Management is currently evaluating the effects of ASU No. 2013-05 on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

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