1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business—Educational Development Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “the Company”) distributes books and publications through our Usborne Books & More (“UBAM”) and EDC Publishing (“Publishing”) divisions to individual consumers, book, toy and gift stores, libraries and home educators located throughout the United States (“U.S.”). We are the exclusive U.S. trade co-publisher of books and related items, published by Usborne Publishing Limited (“Usborne”), an England-based publishing company, our largest supplier. We also publish books and related items through our ownership of Kane Miller Book Publisher (“Kane Miller”).

Stock Split—On July 24, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend. The stock dividend was distributed on August 22, 2018 to shareholders of record as of August 14, 2018. All share-based data, including the number of shares outstanding, have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split for all periods presented.

Estimates—Our financial statements were prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Reclassifications—Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2018 balance sheet, statement of earnings, statement of cash flows and footnotes to conform to the classifications used in fiscal 2019. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.

Business Concentration—A significant portion of our inventory purchases are concentrated with Usborne. Purchases from them were approximately $29.8 million and $15.1 million for the years ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Total inventory purchases for those same periods were approximately $42.8 million and $24.5 million, respectively. As of February 28, 2019, our outstanding accounts payable due to Usborne was $5.6 million.

A significant portion of our UBAM division sales are facilitated through the use of social media collaboration platforms that allow our consultants to interact in real-time, or near real-time, with customers. Consultants use these platforms to invite potential customers to “online parties,” provide book recommendations, answer questions and provide links to other supporting online materials. When a customer is ready to purchase books from the online party, they are redirected from the social media platform to the consultant’s e-commerce site where the order can be placed.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000. We have never experienced any losses related to these balances. The majority of payments due from banks for third party credit card transactions process within two business days. These amounts due are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also include demand and time deposits, money market funds and other marketable securities with maturities of three months or less when acquired.

Accounts Receivable—Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms, generally requiring payment within thirty days from the invoice date. Extended payment terms are offered at certain times of the year for orders that meet minimum quantities or amounts. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Delinquency fees are not assessed. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customers’ remittance advice. Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimated reserve made for returns and discounts based on quarterly review of historical rates of returns and expected discounts to be taken. The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced, if needed, by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected.

Management periodically reviews accounts receivable balances and, based on an assessment of historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances, age of customer receivable balances, customers’ financial conditions and current economic trends, estimates the portion of the balance that will not be collected. Management provides for probable uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to a valuation account based on its assessment of the current status of the individual accounts. Balances which remain outstanding after management has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded as income when received.

Management has estimated an allowance for doubtful accounts of $268,600 and $297,100 as of February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Included within this allowance is $93,900 of reserve for vendor discounts to sell remaining inventory as of February 28, 2019 and 2018.

Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the average costing method. We present a portion of our inventory as a noncurrent asset. Occasionally we purchase book inventory in quantities in excess of what will be sold within the normal operating cycle due to the minimum order requirements of our primary supplier. These excess quantities are included in noncurrent inventory. We estimate noncurrent inventory using the current year turnover ratio by title. All inventory in excess of 2½ years of anticipated sales is classified as noncurrent inventory.

Consultants that meet certain eligibility requirements may request and receive inventory on consignment. Consignment inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, less an estimated reserve for consignment inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned to the Company. The total cost of inventory on consignment, excluding the estimated reserve, with consultants was $1,545,000 and $1,549,300 at February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company has reserved for consignment inventory not expected to be sold or returned of $48,600 and $460,000 as of February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Inventories are presented net of a valuation allowance, which includes reserves for inventory obsolescence and consultant consignment inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned. Management estimates the allowance for both current and noncurrent inventory. The allowance is based on management’s identification of slow-moving inventory and estimated consignment inventory that will not be sold or returned.

Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives, as follows:

Building	30 years
Building improvements	10 – 15 years
Machinery and equipment	3 – 15 years
Furniture and fixtures	3 years

Capitalized projects that are not placed in service are recorded as in progress and are not depreciated until the related assets are placed in service.

Impairments of Long-Lived Assets—We review the value of long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable based on estimated future cash flows. Such indicators include, among others, the nature of the asset, the projected future economic benefit of the asset, historical and future cash flows and profitability measurements. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows expected from the asset, we recognize an impairment charge for the excess of carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value. Determination as to whether and how much an asset is impaired involves management estimates and can be impacted by other uncertainties. No impairment was noted during fiscal year 2019 or 2018.

Income Taxes—We account for income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using the current tax laws and rates. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are “more likely than not” to be realized.

Revenue Recognition—Sales are generally recognized and recorded when products are shipped. Products are shipped FOB shipping point. UBAM’s sales are generally paid at the time the product is ordered. Sales which have been paid for but not shipped are classified as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. Sales associated with consignment inventory are recognized when reported and payment associated with the sale has been remitted. Transportation revenue represents the amount billed to the customer for shipping the product and is recorded when the product is shipped.

Estimated allowances for sales returns, which reduce net sales and costs of goods sold, are recorded as sales are recognized. Management uses a moving average calculation to estimate the allowance for sales returns. We are not responsible for product damaged in transit. Damaged returns are primarily from retail stores. These returns result from damage that occurs in the stores, not in shipping to the stores. It is industry practice to accept non-damaged returns from retail customers. Management has estimated sales returns of approximately $204,000 and $217,000 as of February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which is included in other current liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet. In addition, Management has recorded an asset for the expected value of non-damaged inventories to be returned. The estimated value of returned products of $102,000 and $117,000 is included in other current assets on the Company’s balance sheet as of February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Advertising Costs—Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses, included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of earnings, were $629,900 and $546,600 for the years ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Shipping and Handling Costs—We classify shipping and handling costs as operating and selling expenses in the statements of earnings. Shipping and handling costs were $17,263,000 and $15,990,800 for the years ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Interest Expense—Interest related to our outstanding debt is recognized as incurred. Interest expense, classified separately in the statements of earnings, were $931,300 and $1,119,500 for the years ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Earnings per Share—Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is based on the combined weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares issuable which include, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of options. In computing Diluted EPS, we have utilized the treasury stock method.

The computation of weighted average common and common equivalent shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS is shown below.

	Year Ended February 28,
	2019		2018
Earnings per share:
Net earnings applicable to common shareholders	$	6,678,400	$	5,214,700
Shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic		8,189,149		8,175,996
Assumed exercise of options		7,479		5,326
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted		8,196,628		8,181,322

Diluted earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.82	$	0.64
Diluted	$	0.81	$	0.64

Stock-Based Compensation—We account for stock-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur.

New Accounting Pronouncements—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) periodically issues new accounting standards in a continuing effort to improve standards of financial accounting and reporting. We have reviewed the recently issued pronouncements and concluded that the following recently issued accounting standard updates (“ASU”) apply to us.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, and amended with ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” (“Topic 606”) which provides a single revenue recognition model which is intended to improve comparability over a range of industries, companies and geographical boundaries and will also result in enhanced disclosures. The changes are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments in this series of updates shall be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company adopted Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, with a date of initial application of March 1, 2018, using the full retrospective method applied to all contracts. Results for all reporting periods are presented under Topic 606. As a result of adopting this new accounting guidance, the Company has changed the method of accounting for its hostess awards program from reporting the net cost of these awards in operating and selling expenses to allocating a portion of the transaction price to the material right and reporting these in gross sales and discounts with the associated costs in cost of goods sold. The new reporting of these awards increases gross sales and increases discounts and allowances for a similar amount, having an immaterial effect on net revenues and no effect on net earnings or retained earnings, but lowering the Company’s gross margin percentage. The Company has also removed the allowance for sales returns from the net accounts receivable amount reported on the balance sheet. The allowance for sales returns has been adjusted to reflect a refund liability and a return asset. The cumulative impact of adoption of the new revenue recognition standard had no impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows (See Note 11 to the financial statements).

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases,” which is intended to establish a comprehensive new lease accounting model. The new standard clarifies the definition of a lease, requires a dual approach to lease classification similar to current lease classifications, and causes lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2020. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition for capital or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We have reviewed the ASU and evaluated the potential impact on our financial statements. As the accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under the current standard, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses,” which requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2021. We expect the implementation of this ASU will not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In August 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 “Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The guidance's objective is to reduce diversity in practice of how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flow. The new standards required date of adoption is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This standard was adopted as of March 1, 2018. Adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This update amends the scope of modification accounting surrounding share-based payment arrangements as issued in ASU 2016-09 by providing guidance on the various types of changes which would trigger modification accounting for share-based payment awards. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard is required to be applied prospectively. The guidance was effective March 1, 2018, and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.