DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2017

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Argan, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, its majority-controlled joint ventures and any variable interest entity for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary (see Note 4). All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in the balance sheets and statements of cash flows for prior years were reclassified to conform to the current year presentations. In Note 18, the Company has provided certain financial information relating to the operating results and assets of its reportable segments based on the manner in which management disaggregates the Company’s financial reporting for purposes of making internal operating decisions. The Company’s fiscal year ends on January 31 of each year.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues, expenses, and certain financial statement disclosures. Management believes that the estimates, judgments and assumptions upon which it relies are reasonable based upon information available to it at the time that these estimates, judgments and assumptions are made. Estimates are used for, but are not limited to, the Company’s accounting for revenue recognition, the valuation of assets with long and indefinite lives including goodwill, the valuation of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, the evaluation of contingent obligations, the valuation of deferred taxes, and the determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Such assets acquired in a business combination are initially included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at fair values. Depreciation amounts are determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, other than land, which are generally from five to thirty-nine years. Building and leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the related asset or the lease term, as applicable. The costs of maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred and major improvements are capitalized. When assets are sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in earnings.

Goodwill

Goodwill — At least annually, the Company reviews the carrying value of goodwill amounts for impairment. The goodwill impairment test is performed using the two-step process unless the consideration of a possible goodwill impairment conducted pursuant to the permitted simplified approach results in a conclusion that no such impairment has occurred.

The first step of the impairment test is to identify a potential impairment by comparing the fair value of the business unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The weighted average estimate of fair value of the business unit, generally an operating segment, is determined using various market-based and income-based valuation techniques as applicable in the particular circumstances. If the fair value of the business unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the business unit is not deemed impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not performed. If the carrying amount of the business unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the impairment test compares the implied fair value of the business unit’s goodwill with the corresponding carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the business unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. Accordingly, the fair value of the business unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that business unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the business unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the business unit was the purchase price paid to acquire it. Nonetheless, the Company would evaluate any of these assets for impairment more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset value might be impaired.

The simplified approach allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a business unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The guidance includes discussions of the types of factors which should be considered in conducting the qualitative assessment including macroeconomic, industry, market and entity-specific factors.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets — Long-lived assets, consisting primarily of purchased intangible assets with definite lives, property and equipment, are subject to review for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a carrying amount should be assessed. In such circumstances, the Company would compare the carrying value of the long-lived asset to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. In the event that the Company would determine that the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, a loss would be recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. Fair value would be determined by using quoted market prices or valuation techniques such as the present value of expected future cash flows, appraisals, or other pricing models as appropriate. The useful lives and amortization of purchased intangible assets are described in Note 8.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — Revenues are recognized primarily under various construction contracts, including contracts for which revenues are based on either a fixed price, cost-plus-fee or time and materials basis, with typical durations of three months to three years. Revenues from fixed price construction contracts, including a portion of estimated profit, are recognized as services are provided, based on costs incurred and estimated total contract costs using the percentage of completion method. Revenues from cost-plus-fee construction contracts are recognized on the basis of costs incurred during the period plus the fee earned, measured using the cost-to-cost method. Revenues from time and materials contracts are recognized when the related services are provided to the customer. Changes to total estimated contract costs or losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined.

Unapproved change orders, which represent contract variations for which the Company has project owner directive for additional work or authorization for scope changes but not for the price associated with the corresponding change, are reflected in revenues when it is probable that the applicable costs will be recovered through a change in the contract price. The total amount of unapproved change orders included in the total contract value amounts used to determine revenues as of January 31, 2017 was $2.7 million. In general, claims that are unapproved in regard to both scope and price are reflected in revenues only when an agreement on the amount has been reached with the project owner.

The Company’s long-term contracts typically have schedule dates and other performance obligations that if not achieved could subject the Company to liquidated damages. These contract requirements generally relate to specified activities that must be completed by an established date or by achievement of a specified level of output or efficiency. Each contract defines the conditions under which a project owner may make a claim for liquidated damages. However, in some instances, potential liquidated damages are not asserted by a project owner, but may be considered during the negotiation or settlement of claims and the close-out of a contract. In June 2016, the Company negotiated the general close-out of a contract including the $12.9 million in potential liquidated damages related to it. In general, the Company considers potential liquidated damages, the costs of other related items and potential mitigating factors in determining the adequacy of its estimates of completed contract costs.

The following schedule presents the two categories of revenues earned by the power industry services business during the years ended January 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Core services represent primarily the revenues from ongoing activities conducted pursuant to engineering, construction and procurement contracts for energy plant project owners. Project development fees represent amounts realized upon the success of cooperative activities performed by project developers and the Company including the permanent financing and sale of the associated project (see Note 4).

Category of Service	2017		2016		2015
Core services	$	586,628	$	383,378	$	376,676
Project development success fees	—		4,258		—

Revenues	$	586,628	$	387,636	$	376,676

Income Taxes

Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized using enacted tax rates for the effects of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. If management believes that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, the carrying value will be reduced by a valuation allowance.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with current accounting guidance which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on our consolidated tax return. We evaluate and record the effect of any uncertain tax position based on the amount that management deems is more likely than not (i.e., greater than a 50% probability) to be sustained upon examination and ultimate settlement with the tax authorities in the applicable tax jurisdictions.

Interest incurred related to overdue income taxes is included in income tax expense; income tax penalties are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based upon fair value at the date of award using a fair value based option pricing model. The compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

Fair Values

Fair Values — Current professional accounting guidance applies to all assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. The requirements prescribe a fair value hierarchy that has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable, with use of the lowest possible level of input to determine fair value. A Level 1 input includes a quoted market price in an active market or the price of an identical asset or liability. Level 2 inputs are market data other than Level 1 inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly including quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in an inactive market, and other observable information that can be corroborated by market data. Level 3 inputs are unobservable and corroborated by little or no market data.

The carrying value amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets for the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, notes receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value amounts of business segments (as needed for purposes of identifying indications of impairment to goodwill) are determined by averaging valuations that are calculated using several market-based and income-based approaches deemed appropriate in the circumstances (see Note 8).

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in US Dollars. The effects of translating the financial statements of APC from its functional currency (Euros) into the Company’s reporting currency (US Dollars) are recognized as translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) which is net of tax, where applicable. The translation of assets and liabilities to US Dollars is made at the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date, while equity accounts are translated at historical rates. The translation of the statement of earnings amounts is made monthly at the average currency exchange rate for the month. Net foreign currency transaction gains and losses were included in the other income section of the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016; such amounts were not material for the years ended January 31, 2017 and 2016.