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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  a. Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents include investments in money market funds and all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired.

 

  b. Use of Estimates:

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The real estate industry has historically been cyclical and sensitive to changes in economic conditions such as interest rates, credit availability, and unemployment levels. Changes in these economic conditions could affect the assumptions used by management in preparing the accompanying financial statements.

 

  c. Land, Building, Building and Tenant Improvements, and Depreciation:

Land, building, building and tenant improvements are stated at cost. Building improvements are depreciated on the straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 39 years. The tenant improvements are being depreciated over the terms of the individual tenant leases or the estimated useful life if shorter.

In connection with the building improvement program, which began in 1999 (Note 11), costs totaling $51,677,946 and $44,605,623 have been incurred through December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for building and tenant improvements ($7,072,323 for 2012 and $4,758,981 for 2011).

 

  d. Mortgage Refinancing Costs, Leasing Commissions and Amortization:

Mortgage refinancing costs are amortized ratably over the respective terms of the mortgages to which they relate and are included in mortgage interest expense.

 

Leasing commissions (incurred in connection with the building improvements program) represent reimbursements to the Lessee for commissions incurred for new tenants. They are being amortized over the terms of the individual tenant leases.

 

  e. Revenue Recognition:

Basic rental income, as defined in the Lease, is equal to the sum of the mortgage charges plus a fixed amount. Associates records basic rental income as earned ratably on a monthly basis. Primary overage rent represents the operating profit, as defined, of the Lessee for the previous lease year ending September 30 up to a specified maximum amount and is recorded ratably over the 12-month period. Secondary overage rent is based on the net profits of the Lessee in each lease year and is recorded by Associates when such amounts become realizable and earned.

 

  f. Valuation of Long-Lived Assets:

Associates assesses the carrying amount of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. When Associates determines that the carrying amount of long-lived assets is impaired, the measurement of any impairment is based on a discounted cash flow method. No impairment loss has been recorded in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.

 

  g. Income Taxes:

Associates is organized as a limited liability company and is taxed as a partnership for income tax purposes. Accordingly, Associates is not subject to federal and state income taxes and makes no provision for income taxes in its financial statements. Associates’ taxable income or loss is reportable by its members.

Associates has determined that there are no material uncertain tax positions that require recognition or disclosure in its financial statements.

Taxable years ended December 31, 2009 through 2012 are subject to IRS and other jurisdictions tax examinations.

At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the reported amounts of Associates’ aggregate net assets exceeded their tax bases by approximately $3,322,972 and $1,854,000, respectively.

 

  h. Offering Costs

In connection with the proposed consolidation of certain properties and an initial public offering of the consolidated group (the “IPO”), Associates has incurred or will incur incremental accounting fees, legal fees and other professional fees. Such costs will be deferred and recorded as a reduction of proceeds of the IPO, or expensed as incurred if the IPO is not consummated. Certain costs associated with the IPO not directly attributable to the solicitation of consents and the IPO, but rather related to structuring the consolidation transaction, are expensed as incurred.

Through December 31, 2012, Associates has incurred external offering costs of $1,752,344, of which Associates incurred $962,325 and $636,883 for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and were reflected as deferred costs on Associates Condensed Balance Sheets. A total of $621,233 and $127,671 of these costs were in Due to Supervisor at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Additional offering costs for work done by employees of the Supervisor of $151,070 and $109,560 for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were incurred and advanced by the Supervisor and have or will be reimbursed to the Supervisor by Associates.

Correction of an Immaterial Error in the Financial Statements

Associates’ prior period financial results have been adjusted to reflect an immaterial correction which has no impact to the net change in cash reported on the statement of cash flows. During fiscal year 2012, Associates determined that certain costs related to the structuring of the consolidation transaction that were previously included in deferred offering costs should have been expensed in the periods incurred. The correction impacted the 2011 and 2010 periods and had accumulated to an amount of $213,500 as of December 31, 2011. Adhering to applicable guidance for accounting changes and error corrections, Associates concluded that the error was not material to any of its prior period financial statements. The correction resulted in immaterial changes to deferred costs and formation transaction expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Associates applied the guidance for accounting changes and error corrections and revised our prior period financial statements presented in this prospectus/consent solicitation.

The following tables present the effect this correction had on the combined financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011. Additionally, financial information included in the notes to the financial statements that is impacted by the adjustment have been revised, as applicable.

 

     As of December 31, 2011  
     As reported     Adjustment     As adjusted  

Deferred costs, net

   $ 1,003,519      $ (213,500   $ 790,019   

Owners’ equity (deficit)

     (4,642,480     (213,50     (4,855,980
     For the year ended December 31, 2011  
     As reported     Adjustment     As adjusted  

Formation transaction expenses

   $ —        $ 174,235      $ 174,235   

Net income

     3,461,340        (174,235     3,287,105   

Net cash provided by operating activities

     5,525,900        (174,235     5,351,665   

Net cash used in financing activities

     (73,180     174,235        101,055   

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     811,872        —          811,872   

 

  i. New Accounting Pronouncements

During May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP. This ASU provides guidance setting forth additional requirements relating to disclosures about fair value. The guidance was effective for Associates beginning with the first interim period in 2012. In accordance with the guidance, Associates was required to disclose the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each fair value lies that is disclosed but not used to measure an asset or liability on the balance sheet. The guidance also clarifies that the fair value of a non-financial asset is based on its highest and best use and requires disclosure if a non-financial asset is being used in a manner that is not its highest and best use. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 on January 1, 2012 did not have a material impact on Associates financial condition or results of operations.

 

  J. Reclassification

For purposes of comparison, certain items shown in the 2011 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the presentation used for 2012.