XML 24 R25.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3.a.u2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

We place our cash with high quality financial institutions.  At times, cash balances may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit; however, we have not experienced any losses related to balances that exceed such FDIC insurance limits (currently $250,000), and we believe our credit risk is minimal. At times, we may also invest in short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less, which we consider to be cash and cash equivalents, since they are readily convertible to cash.

Short-Term Investments in certificates of deposit

Short-Term Investments in certificates of deposit

 

Certificates of deposit with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities less than one year are classified as “short-term investments.”

Long-Term Investments in certificates of deposit

Long-Term Investments in certificates of deposit

 

Certificates of deposit with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities greater than one year are classified as “long-term investments.” As of December 31, 2019, the previous long-term investments fully mature in May 2020 and have been reclassed to short-term investments in certificates of deposit. 

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

 

Verification and Certification Segment

 

We offer a range of products and services to maintain identification, traceability, and verification systems. We conduct both on-site and desk audits to verify that claims being made about livestock, food, other high-value specialty crops and agricultural products are accurate. We generate revenue primarily from the sale of our verification solutions, consulting services and hardware sales. We sell our products and services directly to customers at various levels in the livestock and agricultural supply chains.

 

Verification and certification service revenue primarily consists of fees charged for verification audits and other verification services that the Company performs for customers.

 

A more detailed summary of our verification and certification services is included in the subsections below.

 

Animal Verification and Certification Services

 

Our animal verification and certification services contracts are generally structured in one of the following ways: (i) we commit to perform the required number of animal audits to verify a customer’s compliance with a standard or claim, or (ii) we commit to perform animal audit services at a fixed price by site or location type as requested by our customer during an annual period. These contract structures are discussed in more detail in the subsections below. 

 

Contract to Provide Required Number of Animal Audit Services

 

For certain of our animal verification and certification services, we commit to perform the required number of location or site audits within our customer’s supply chain to verify customer’s compliance with a contractually-specified standard or claim. Each location or site audit is typically very short-term in nature, with a typical duration of one to two weeks. Upon completion of an audit, we provide the customer with an audit verification report for the specific site or location that was audited. Payment is made by customer upon completion of each site or location audit.

 

We generally enter into revenue contracts with a one-year term. Our customers generally have the right to terminate the contract without prejudice with thirty days’ written notice. We have determined that, as a result of the termination provisions present in these contracts, the accounting contract term is a thirty-day period, with each thirty-day time increment representing a separate accounting contract under ASC 606.

 

Furthermore, we have concluded that there is a single performance obligation that is a series comprised of each distinct location or site audit performed. Our customers are charged a standard daily rate for the provision of an audit based on the scale of site operations and geographical location. Consideration attributable to each audit within the series is variable, as the number of days required to complete each audit is not known until performance of that audit occurs. We have concluded that it is appropriate to allocate variable consideration (that is, the number of days required to complete an audit) to each audit within the series. This is because the consideration that we earn for each audit relates specifically to our efforts to transfer to our customer that discrete audit, and the resulting audit opinion or verification report, for that specified site or location, and this allocation is consistent with the allocation objective as defined in ASC 606. As a result, instances in which the Company evaluates and applies the constraint on variable consideration are immaterial.

 

We further concluded that over-time recognition is appropriate because: (i) our performance of audits does not create an asset with an alternative use, as the audit and related verification report relates to facts and circumstances that are specific to each customer site or location (that is, there is a practical limitation on our ability to readily direct the asset to another customer) and (ii) we have an enforceable right to payment, inclusive of a reasonable profit, for performance completed to date. We utilize an input method to measure over-time progress of each audit within the series based on the number of audit days performed.

 

We do, however, note that there are instances in which we only have an enforceable right to payment upon completion of an audit, and thus, over-time recognition is not permitted. For these contracts, revenue is recognized at the point in time at which an audit is completed. This does not result in a significant difference in the timing of revenue recognition (as compared to those audits that are recognized over time) due to the very short-term duration of an audit.

 

Our customers may also have the option to purchase incremental review services (for example, an investigative audit or video review services) that are unrelated to the audit services to verify compliance with a specified standard or claim. The incremental review services are also typically very short-term in nature (that is, one to two weeks). We have concluded that these optional purchases do not reflect a material right under ASC 606 because the incremental review services are performed at standard pricing that would be charged to other similarly situated customers. Upon customer request for an incremental review service, we believe that our customer has made a discrete purchasing decision that should be treated as a separate accounting contract under ASC 606.

 

We charge a fixed fee for the incremental review service, and thus, upon customer request, we are entitled to fixed consideration for that service under ASC 606. We concluded that over-time revenue recognition is appropriate for incremental review services because: (i) our performance of incremental review services does not create an asset with an alternative use because that review service, and the associated customer deliverable, relates to facts and circumstances that are specific to each customer site or location (that is, there is a practical limitation on our ability to readily direct the asset to another customer) and (ii) we have an enforceable right to payment, inclusive of a reasonable profit, for performance completed to date on incremental review services. We utilize a time-based input method to measure progress toward complete satisfaction of an incremental review service, which is based on the number of hours performed on the incremental review service relative to the total number of hours required to complete that review service. As previously mentioned, our incremental review services are typically completed within one to two weeks of a customer request.

 

Contract to Provide Animal Audit Services at Customer Request

 

Other animal verification and certification services contracts are structured such that we commit to perform audit services at a fixed price by site or location type as requested by our customer during an annual period. Performance of an audit typically occurs within a one to two-week period. We invoice our customer upon completion of an audit, and payment is due from customer within thirty days or less of receipt of invoice.

 

Under this contract structure, the customer is, in effect, provided a pricing list for animal audit services, and pricing is effective over a one-year period. We have concluded that enforceable rights and obligations do not arise until a customer actually engages us to perform an audit service documented in the pricing list; therefore, each customer request represents a purchasing decision that is a separate accounting contract under ASC 606. 

 

We note that the termination provisions specified in our pricing lists vary. In certain instances, a customer may only have the right to terminate in the event of non-performance. Alternatively, in other contracts, a customer may have the right to terminate without prejudice at any time or with thirty days’ written notice. However, regardless of the termination provision specified, we have concluded that the accounting contract term is equal to the duration of the requested audit service (that is, the termination provisions generally do not affect the accounting contract term for each requested audit service).

 

Upon a customer’s request for an audit service, consideration is fixed, as we charge the customer a fixed fee by audit type over the annual period per the pricing list.

 

We concluded that over-time revenue recognition is appropriate for a requested audit service because: (i) our performance of the requested audit service does not create an asset with an alternative use as that audit, and the associated audit report, relate to facts and circumstances that are specific to each customer site or location (that is, there is a practical limitation on our ability to readily direct the asset to another customer) and (ii) we have an enforceable right to payment, inclusive of a reasonable profit, for performance completed to date on a requested audit. A time-based input method is utilized to measure progress toward complete satisfaction of an audit based on the number of hours performed on that audit relative to the total number of hours expected to be required to complete the audit. As previously mentioned, our audit services are typically completed within one to two weeks of a customer request.

 

Other Considerations for Animal Certification and Verification Services

 

In connection with the provision of on-site audits related to animal certification and verification services, reimbursable expenses are incurred and billed to customers, and such amounts are recognized on a gross basis as both revenue and cost of revenue.

 

Any amounts collected on behalf of a third-party and remitted in full to that third-party are excluded from the transaction price and, thus, revenue.

 

Crop and Other Processed Product Verification and Certification Services

 

Third-party crop and other processed product audits are generally structured such that we commit to perform an independent audit to verify that food producers and/or farmers comply with certain standards. We generally provide verification services related to organic, Non-GMO and gluten-free standards. Depending on the crop or product type, verification audit activities may take two months to one year to complete. During this assessment period, various integrated audit activities and/or input reviews are performed in accordance with the regulations specified by the relevant standard.

 

The fee structure is such that customers pay an annual assessment fee for a crop or other processed product to verify compliance with the specified standard. This fee is payable upfront on a nonrefundable basis. Our customers can typically terminate a crop or other processed product audit at any time without prejudice. However, given the nonrefundable upfront payment structure for the annual assessment service, we have concluded that the contract term is one year. We record the upfront payment made by the customer for the annual assessment service as deferred revenue.

 

The audit activities and input reviews required in the provision of an annual assessment are not distinct under ASC 606, and consequently, we account for an annual assessment as a single integrated performance obligation.

 

For certain of our third-party crop and other processed product audits, the annual assessment fee is fixed for the annual period. In other scenarios, the annual assessment fee may be variable due to increased review activities required for incremental inputs to a crop or processed product identified through the assessment process. At the time that an incremental input is identified, which generally occurs in the early stages of an annual assessment, the incremental consideration for the provision of review services related to that incremental input also becomes known. 

 

We allocate the transaction price derived from the annual assessment fee to the single integrated performance obligation for that annual assessment. Revenue related to the annual assessment is recognized over time in accordance with ASC 606. This is because the annual assessment service does not create an asset with an alternative use, as it relates to facts and circumstances that are specific to a customer’s crop or processed product. Further, we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date on the annual assessment due to the nonrefundable upfront payment made by customer. We utilize an input method to measure progress toward satisfaction of the annual assessment based on the percentage of activities/phases or input reviews completed under the annual assessment.

 

As it relates to the upfront payment for the annual assessment, we have utilized the practical expedient that exempts us from adjusting consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when we expect that the period between customer payment and the provision of the related service is one year or less.

 

In certain contracts, an independent third-party inspection may be required for a site or location in our customer’s supply chain in accordance with the regulations for a specified standard. An inspection is performed by an independent third-party inspector, and the customer is charged an hourly rate for these inspection services.

 

Under this scenario, a separate accounting contract arises upon initiation and performance of an inspection, and we typically invoice our customer for the inspection upon completion of the inspection service. Given that the customer has the ability to terminate at any time without prejudice, we have concluded that the contract term for each inspection ends as control of an inspection service transfers. Inspections are generally short-term in nature with a term ranging from a few days to two weeks.

 

We have further determined that inspections are distinct from an annual assessment. Consideration attributable to an inspection is variable, as the inspector is only able to provide a high-level estimate of the cost of the inspection based on the inspector’s hourly rate until the inspector is at the relevant producer/supplier site to determine the time and level of effort required to complete the inspection. Given the very short-term nature of an inspection, variability related to an inspection generally resolves itself within a reporting period. However, we are typically required by certain regulations to provide an inspection cost estimate to our customer, and, if required, we utilize that estimate as our estimate of variable consideration. The cost estimate is generally derived from the cost to perform the prior-year inspection for that specific customer site or location or, when required, the historical cost to provide an inspection for a comparable site or location. In our experience, the historical cost of inspections has been predictive of the future cost of an inspection.

 

Other Considerations for Crop and Other Processed Product Verification Services

 

Reimbursable expenses incurred in the provision of an annual assessment or required inspection are billed to our customers, and such amounts are recognized on a gross basis as both revenue and cost of revenue.

 

In addition, any amounts collected on behalf of a third-party and remitted in full to that third-party are excluded from the transaction price and, thus, revenue.

 

Product Sales

 

Product sales are primarily generated from the sale of cattle identification ear tags. Each customer purchase request represents a purchasing decision made by customer. As such, enforceable rights and obligations (and, thus, a separate accounting contract under ASC 606) arise at the time a customer submits its purchase request to us. At the time of request, we are entitled to fixed consideration, as the sales quantity and related price of the product is known. All of our customers are charged the same fixed price per tag.

 

Revenue for product sales is recognized upon delivery of the goods to customer, at which point title, custody and risk of loss transfer to the customer. We typically deliver product to the customer within a few days of customer’s sales request. At the time of delivery, we invoice our customer for the related product sales and record invoiced amounts to accounts receivable. Payment is typically due by customer upon receipt of invoice.     

 

In relation to our product sales, the sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities are excluded from revenue.

 

Additionally, we do not typically provide right of return or warranty on product sales.

 

Software Sales and Related Consulting Segment

 

We predominately offer software products via a SaaS model, which is an annual subscription-based model. Support services are generally included in the subscription. We also provide web-hosting services on an annual basis to all of our customers in conjunction with their software subscription. Customers have the ability to terminate without prejudice upon thirty days’ written notice; however, the subscription fee, inclusive of maintenance and support services, and the web-hosting fee are paid upfront by the customer on a nonrefundable basis. Consequently, we have concluded that the contract term for the annual software subscription and web-hosting services is one year.

 

We have determined that a software license subscription and the related hosting service should be accounted for as a service transaction, as we provide the functionality of our software through the hosting arrangement. The SaaS arrangement provides customers with unlimited access to our software and, thus, is accounted for as a series of distinct daily service periods that provide substantially the same service (that is, continuous access to the hosted software) each day during the annual contract term. Further, the provision of basic technical support services also represents a stand-ready obligation that is a series of distinct daily service periods that provide substantially the same service (that is, access to our technical support infrastructure) during the annual contract term. Because the basic technical support services and SaaS each represent performance obligations that are a series of distinct daily service periods, we have elected to combine these performance obligations.

 

We are entitled to fixed consideration for the software license subscription, inclusive of support services, and the related hosting service. The software license subscription and hosting fees in our contracts represent the standalone selling price for that related service. This is because the fees charged for the software license subscription and hosting service represent the software license subscription and hosting service fees that are charged to other customers with a similar level of data loaded into the software (regardless of whether that customer contracts for professional services). Accordingly, the software license subscription and hosting fees are allocated to the combined SaaS performance obligation.

 

We recognize revenue related to the SaaS arrangement over time because a customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit from the provision of access to the hosted software over the annual subscription period. Accordingly, we utilize a time-based output measure of progress that results in a straight-line attribution of revenue. That is, revenue related to the combined SaaS obligation should be recognized daily on a straight-line basis over the one-year subscription term, as this reflects the direct measurement of value to a customer of the provision of access to the software via hosting each day.

 

As it relates to the upfront payment for the software subscription and hosting service, we have utilized the practical expedient that exempts us from adjusting consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when we expect that the period between customer payment and the provision of the related service is one year or less.

 

In addition, we record the upfront payment made by customer for the annual assessment service as deferred revenue.

 

In some of our SaaS contracts, we also provide software-related consulting services to our customers during an annual software subscription period. Consulting services fees are derived from a standard rate card by employee level, and we invoice for consulting services monthly on a time-incurred basis. Due to the termination provisions present in our SaaS contracts, our customers have an in-substance renewal decision each month for further consulting services (that is, via their decision not to terminate the contract each month). Accordingly, the contract term for consulting services is on a month-to-month basis within the annual subscription period.

 

We have concluded that consulting services are distinct from the SaaS arrangement. To the extent that consulting services result in a software enhancement or new functionality, we have determined that those consulting services are still distinct because added features typically provide new, discrete capabilities with independent value to a customer and a customer accesses the SaaS in a single-tenant architecture. Further, additional features and functionality are often made available to a customer substantially after the “go-live” date of the software (via the hosting service). As a result, our software-related consulting services represent distinct performance obligations.

 

We recognize revenue related to consulting services over time in accordance with ASC 606. This is because our performance does not create an asset with an alternative use, as consulting services, and, if applicable, any related software enhancements, are highly tailored to the farming industry specific to the given customer, and we have an enforceable right to payment, inclusive of profit, for performance completed to date. As a result, for our consulting services, we have elected to utilize the practical expedient that allows us to recognize revenue in the amount to which we have a right to invoice, as we believe that we have a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of our performance completed to date for the provision of consulting services.

 

Principal versus Agent Considerations

 

Under certain of our verification and certification service contracts, a third-party inspector may be required to perform an independent inspection of a site or location within our customer’s supply chain in accordance with regulations of a certain standard or claim. In this scenario, we have concluded that we are the principal in the provision of inspection services to our customer, as we control the inspection service, and the related inspection report, before it is transferred to our customer. In accordance with this conclusion, we present revenue related to inspections on a gross basis, with customer payment for an inspection presented as revenue and the inspection cost paid to the third-party inspector presented as an expense.

 

In addition, we utilize a third-party to provide web-hosting services in the provision of our SaaS arrangements. In this scenario, we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide web-hosting services to the customer, and we establish the fee that the customer is charged for the web-hosting services. Consequently, we have also concluded that we are the principal in the provision of web-hosting services under our SaaS arrangements. As such, we present revenue on a gross basis, with consideration received from our customer for the web-hosting service recorded as revenue and the cost paid to the third-party to provide those web-hosting services recorded as an expense.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

We have identified four material revenue categories in our business: (i) verification and certification service revenue, (ii) product sales, (iii) software license, maintenance and support services revenue and (iv) software-related consulting service revenue.

 

Revenue attributable to each of our identified revenue categories is disaggregated in the table below.   

 

    Year ended December 31, 2019     Year ended December 31, 2018   
    Verification
and
Certification
Segment
    Software
Sales and
Related
Consulting
Segment
    Eliminations
and Other
    Consolidated
Totals
    Verification
and
Certification
Segment
    Software
Sales and
Related
Consulting
Segment
    Eliminations
and Other
    Consolidated
Totals
 
Revenues:                                                                
Verification and certification service revenue   $ 15,564,411     $     $     $ 15,564,411     $ 13,743,311     $     $     $ 13,743,311  
Product sales     3,300,799                   3,300,799       2,266,771                   2,266,771  
Software license, maintenance and support services revenue           1,273,820       (207,277 )     1,066,543             993,161             993,161  
Software-related consulting service revenue           947,524       (104,861 )     842,663             800,316             800,316  
Total revenues   $   18,865,210     $ 2,221,344     $ (312,138 )   $ 20,774,416     $ 16,010,082     $ 1,793,477     $     $ 17,803,559  

  

Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations

 

We generally enter into revenue contracts with a one-year term. In certain instances, we have concluded that our contract term is less than one year because: (i) the termination provisions present in the contract impact the contract term under ASC 606 or (ii) a contract under ASC 606 arises at the time our customer requests the provision of a good or service that is delivered within or over a few days to a couple of weeks. As a result of our short-term contract structures, we have utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 that exempts us from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.

 

Contract Balances

 

Under our animal verification and certification services contracts, we invoice customers once the performance obligation for the provision of a site or location audit has been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. In addition, any product sales are invoiced upon delivery to the customer, at which point payment is also unconditional. Accordingly, our animal verification and certification services contracts do not give rise to a contract asset under ASC 606; rather, invoiced amounts reflect accounts receivable.

 

Under our crop and other processed product verification and certification services, a nonrefundable payment for an annual assessment of compliance with a standard is typically made by our customers upfront upon contract execution. That is, payment is made in advance of the provision of annual assessment services. Accordingly, we recognize deferred revenue upon receipt of the upfront payment from our customers for crop and other processed product audit assessment services. Revenue is subsequently recognized, and the related deferred revenue is reduced, over the one-year period during which assessment services are provided to the customer using the over-time measure of progress selected in accordance with ASC 606. To the extent that an inspection is required during the annual assessment period, we invoice customers once the performance obligation for the inspection has been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. As such, inspection services give rise to accounts receivable.

 

Our software subscriptions, web-hosting, and support services are paid by our customers upfront on a nonrefundable basis. That is, payment is made in advance of the provision of these services to our customers. As a result, we recognize deferred revenue upon receipt of the upfront payment from our customers for software subscriptions, web-hosting and maintenance and support services. Revenue is subsequently recognized, and the related deferred revenue is reduced, on a straight-line basis during the annual contract term that these stand-ready services are provided to customer.

 

Software-related consulting services are invoiced monthly on a time-incurred basis, at which point we have an enforceable right to payment for those services. Because payment is unconditional upon invoicing, our software-related consulting services are reflected as accounts receivable.

 

As of December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2019, accounts receivable from contracts with customers, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, were approximately $2.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2019, and January 1, 2019, deferred revenue from contracts with customers were approximately $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The balance of the contract liabilities at December 31, 2018 was recognized as revenue in 2019 and the balance at December 31, 2019 is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2020.

 

The following table reflects the changes in our contract liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2019:

 

Deferred revenue:        
Unearned revenue January 1, 2019   $                654,873  
Unearned billings     2,683,647  
Revenue recognized     (2,541,487 )
Unearned revenue December 31, 2019   $ 797,033  

 

Costs to fulfill a contract

 

Prior to August 2018, we incurred a fixed cost, payable to JVF Consulting, LLC, a third-party provider, to perform set-up activities for new (or first-year) customers that contract for our software subscription and hosting services. As discussed in Note 3, on August 30, 2018, we acquired JVF Consulting, which included three key employees. We concluded that those set-up activities performed by JVF did not transfer a good or service as defined in ASC 606 to our customers. 

 

We capitalize fixed set-up costs as an asset on the following basis: (i) the fixed set-up costs incurred relate specifically to a customer contract for our software subscription and hosting service, (ii) the fixed set-up costs incurred are expected to be recovered via provision of the software subscription and hosting service to that customer and (iii) the set-up costs generate or enhance resources of the Company by permitting us to provide software subscription and hosting services to our customer, which, in turn, generates revenues.

 

Capitalized costs related to those set-up activities are amortized on a straight-line basis over the one-year license subscription and hosting period.

 

The ending balance at December 31, 2018 of capitalized assets attributable to the set-up costs incurred to fulfill software subscription and hosting contracts was not material. No set-up costs related to our software subscription and hosting services were incurred for the years-ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

In addition, amortization of capitalized set-up costs for the year ended December 31, 2018 was not material, and no impairment loss was incurred related to capitalized set-up costs for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

Commissions and other costs to obtain a contract are expensed as incurred as our contracts are typically completed in one year or less, and where applicable, we generally would incur these costs whether or not we ultimately obtain the contract. 

 

Cost of Revenues

Cost of Revenues

 

Salaries and related fringe benefits directly associated with our verification and certification service revenues are allocated to costs of verification and certification services.

 

Costs of products primarily represents the cost of livestock ear tags generally used in connection with our verification programs. Livestock identification ear tags sold in connection with our verification offerings are purchased primarily from one supplier. However, there are numerous other companies which manufacture and market such ear tags.

 

Costs of product support, including web-hosting fees, salaries and related fringe benefits directly associated with our software license, maintenance and support services, are allocated to costs of software license, maintenance and support services.

 

Salaries and related fringe benefits directly associated with our software-related consulting revenues are allocated to costs of software-related consulting services.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Our receivables are generally due from trade customers. Credit is extended based on our evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, and generally collateral is not required. Accounts receivable are generally due approximately 30 days from the invoice date and are stated at amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable that are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due.  We determine our allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, our previous loss and payment history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligations to us and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. We write-off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $75,700 and $65,400, at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 

  

No single customer accounted for greater than 10% of our accounts receivable balances at December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

 

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure, establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value for financial assets and liabilities that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available.  Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.  Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances.  The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:

 

  Level 1: Quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
  Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities that are observable for the asset or liability;
  Level 3: Unobservable pricing inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources, such as discounted cash or valuation models.

 

The financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.

 

The Company’s non-recurring fair value measurements include purchase price allocations for the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired through business combinations. Please refer to Note 3 for further discussion of business combinations.

 

The acquisition of a group of assets in a business combination transaction requires fair value estimates for assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  The fair value of assets and liabilities acquired through business combinations is calculated using a discounted future cash flows method. The discounted cash flows are developed using the income approach in which a value (based on management’s expectations for the future) is determined by converting anticipated benefits. The fair value measurements are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent fair value measurements which are designated as Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. Key assumptions and considerations include:

 

  a) A discount rate range of 19-32 percent;
  b) Terminal value based on long-term sustainable growth rates of 3 percent;
  c) Financial data of comparable companies for market participant assumptions; and

  d) Consideration of the marketability that market participants would consider when measuring the fair value of a non-controlling interest in our acquisition.
Other Financial Instruments

Other Financial Instruments

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to their short maturities. The carrying values shown for short-term investments, long-term investments and notes payable also approximate fair value because current interest rates and terms offered to us for similar instruments are substantially the same (Level 2 inputs). 

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful-lives of the respective assets. Land is not depreciated. Buildings are depreciated over 15 to 20 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term, which generally includes reasonably assured option periods, or the estimated useful-lives of the assets. All other property and equipment have depreciable lives which range from two to seven years. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the accounts are relieved of cost and accumulated depreciation and the related gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of tangible net assets of acquired businesses at the acquisition date, after amounts allocated to other identifiable intangible assets. Factors that contribute to the recognition of goodwill include synergies that are specific to our business and not available to other market participants and are expected to increase net sales and profits; acquisition of a talented workforce; cost savings opportunities; the strategic benefit of expanding our presence in core and adjacent markets; and diversifying our product portfolio.

 

The fair values of other identifiable intangible assets are primarily determined using the income approach. Other intangible assets include, but are not limited to, developed technology, customer relationships, accreditations, a beneficial lease arrangement, and tradenames/trademarks and patents. Intangible assets with determinable useful-lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful-lives of two to 15 years. Certain acquired trade names are considered to have indefinite lives and are not amortized but are assessed annually for potential impairment as described below.

Goodwill, Intangibles and Long-Lived Asset Impairment Tests

Goodwill, Intangibles and Long-Lived Asset Impairment Tests

 

We perform our annual impairment test for goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year. We consider qualitative indicators of the fair value of a reporting unit when it is unlikely that a reporting unit has impaired goodwill. In certain circumstances, we may also utilize a discounted cash flow analysis that requires certain assumptions and estimates be made regarding market conditions and our future profitability. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are also tested at least annually for impairment by comparing the individual carrying values to the fair value.

 

We review long-lived assets for indicators of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. Undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the related assets are estimated over the asset’s useful life based on updated projections. If the evaluation indicates that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, any potential impairment is measured based upon the fair value of the related asset or asset group as determined by an appropriate market appraisal or other valuation technique.

Research and Development and Software Development Costs

Research and Development and Software Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred. We did not incur any research and development expense in 2019 and 2018.

 

Internal use software development costs represent the capitalization of certain external and internal computer software costs incurred during the application development stage. The application development stage is characterized by software design and configuration activities, coding, testing and installation. Training costs and maintenance are expensed as incurred, while upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that such expenditures will result in additional functionality.

 

Website software development costs related to certain planning and training costs incurred in the development of website software are expensed as incurred, while application development stage costs are capitalized.

 

Software development costs for external sale are capitalized once technological feasibility is achieved. Capitalized costs are amortized over the expected benefit period. We generally expense a significant portion of software development costs because technological feasibility occurs very late in the software development process. In connection with our acquisitions (Note 3), software developed for external sale with an estimated fair value of approximately $921,000 is included in property and equipment at both December 31, 2019 and 2018. During 2019 and 2018, the amortization of capitalized costs totaled approximately $256,000 and $222,000, respectively, and is included in depreciation expense (Note 4). 

Advertising and Marketing Expenses

Advertising and Marketing Expenses

 

Advertising and marketing costs are expensed as incurred. Total advertising and marketing expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, were approximately $466,400 and $477,300, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

 

We record income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our estimation of the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for book and tax purposes. We determine deferred income taxes based on the differences in accounting methods and timing between financial statement and income tax reporting. Accordingly, we determine the deferred tax asset or liability for each temporary difference based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when we realize the underlying items of income and expense. We consider all relevant factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent earnings experience by jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income and the carryforward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, as well as assessing available tax planning strategies. We may establish a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. Due to inherent complexities arising from the nature of our businesses, future changes in income tax law, tax sharing agreements or variances between our actual and anticipated operating results, we make certain judgments and estimates. Therefore, actual income taxes could materially vary from these estimates.

 

The accounting standard related to income taxes applies to all tax positions and defines the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements.  The accounting standard requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date.  If a tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are to be recognized. Differences between financial and tax reporting which do not meet this threshold are required to be recorded as unrecognized tax benefits.  This standard also provides guidance on the presentation of tax matters and the recognition of potential Internal Revenue Service interest and penalties. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not have an unrecognized tax liability.

  

The Company classifies penalty and interest expense related to income tax liabilities as an income tax expense. The Company did not incur any interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions, and there are open statutes of limitation for taxing authorities to audit our tax returns from 2015 through the current period.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company recognizes all equity-based compensation as stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the compensation measured at the grant date. For stock options, fair value is calculated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model.  For restricted stock awards, fair value is the closing stock price for the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the grant. 

 

Calculating stock-based compensation expense using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility, and the pre-vesting option forfeiture rate. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including the types of awards, employee classification and historical experience. Actual forfeitures may differ substantially from our current estimate. Under this pricing model, which incorporates ranges of assumptions for inputs, our assumptions are as follows:

 

Dividend yield is based on our historical policy of not paying cash dividends.
Expected volatility assumptions were derived from our actual volatilities. 
The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected term at the grant date.
The expected term of options represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding giving consideration to vesting schedules, based on historical exercise patterns, which we believe are representative of future behavior.
Leases

Leases

 

We adopted ASU 2016-02: Leases (Topic 842) as of January 1, 2019. We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in the right-of-use (ROU) assets, current operating lease liabilities and noncurrent operating lease liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, current finance lease obligations and long-term finance lease obligations in our consolidated balance sheet.

 

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.

 

As the discount rates in the Company’s lease are not implicit, the Company estimated the incremental borrowing rate based on the rate of interest the Company would have to pay to borrow a similar amount on a collateralized basis over a similar term.

 

Our lease term includes options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Our lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees.

 

We have operating and finance leases for corporate offices, other regional offices, and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 15 years, some of which include multiple options to extend the leases for up to 5 years each.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification is the sole source of authoritative GAAP other than SEC issued rules and regulations that apply only to SEC registrants. The FASB issues an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) to communicate changes to the codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU’s. ASU’s not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update, Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) using the modified retrospective method of transition. Under this method of transition, we applied ASU 606 to all new contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2018 and all existing contracts for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue attributable to a contract had not been recognized under legacy revenue guidance as of January 1, 2018.

 

ASU 606 supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP and includes a five-step process to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services.

 

The impact of adoption on our current period results is as follows:

 

    Year ended December 31, 2018  
    Under ASC     Under ASC     Increase /  
    606     605     (Decrease)  
Revenues:                        
Verification and certification service revenue   $     $ 170,340     $ (170,340 )
Costs and expenses:                        
Cost of verification and certification services   $     $ 170,340     $ (170,340 )
Gross profit   $     $     $  
Net income (loss)   $     $     $  
Retained earnings   $     $     $  

 

Changes to verification and certification service revenue and costs of verification and certification services are due to the conclusion that fees collected on behalf of the Non-GMO Project related to the Company’s Non-GMO verification services should be excluded from the transaction price (and, thus, revenue), as these amounts are collected on behalf of a third-party. This represents a change from our accounting practice under legacy revenue guidance of presenting these amounts on a gross basis in verification and certification service revenue, with an offsetting amount presented as an expense in costs of verification and certification services.

 

On January 1, 2018 we adopted ASU No. 2016-01 which requires an entity to: (i) measure equity investments at fair value through net income, with certain exceptions; (ii) present the changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured using the fair value option in Other Comprehensive Income; (iii) present financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; (iv) calculate the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes based on an exit price and; (v) assess a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. The Update provides an election to subsequently measure certain nonmarketable equity investments at cost less any impairment and adjusted for certain observable price changes. The update also requires a qualitative impairment assessment of such equity investments and amends certain fair value disclosure requirements. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

On January 1, 2018 we adopted ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation, which revises the guidance related to changes in terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2017-09, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases that are not short-term in nature. For a lessor, the accounting applied is also largely unchanged from previous guidance.  Additionally, we elected the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption and will not restate prior periods. The adoption of this update did have a material impact on assets and liabilities on the balance sheet as the standard requires the recognition of a right of use asset and corresponding lease liability. However, the adoption dd not have a material impact to our consolidated results of operations or statement of cash flows.

 

On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies the accounting for share-based payments made to nonemployees so the accounting for such payments is substantially the same as those made to employees. Under this ASU, share-based awards to nonemployees will be measured at fair value on the grant date of the awards, entities will need to assess the probability of satisfying performance conditions if any are present, and awards will continue to be classified according to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 upon vesting which eliminates the need to reassess classification upon vesting, consistent with awards granted to employees. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which adds a new Topic 326 to the Codification and removes the thresholds that companies apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, receivables, and held-to-maturity debt securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The revised guidance will remove all recognition thresholds and will require companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that the company expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. The Company is currently required to adopt the new standard in 2023.

 

In April 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. As a result, under the ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.  The Company is required to adopt the new standard in 2020.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 8420): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 modifies the requirements associated with the hierarchy associated with Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. The provisions of this ASU are effective for reporting periods after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted. The Company has performed its analysis and determined there will be no material impact to the Company’s financial statements with the implementation of this standard.

 

In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software - Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which amends the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to align with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. There will be no material impact to the Company’s financial statements with the implementation of this standard.