DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2019

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Argan, Inc. (“Argan”) conducts operations through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Gemma Power Systems, LLC and affiliates (“GPS”), which provided 53%, 88% and 85% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2019 (“Fiscal 2019”), 2018 (“Fiscal 2018”) and 2017 (“Fiscal 2017”), respectively; The Roberts Company, Inc. (“TRC”); Atlantic Projects Company Limited and affiliates (“APC”) and Southern Maryland Cable, Inc. (“SMC”). Argan and these consolidated subsidiaries are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Company.”

Through GPS and APC, the Company provides a full range of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations management, maintenance, project development, technical and consulting services to the power generation and renewable energy markets. The wide range of customers includes independent power producers, public utilities, power plant equipment suppliers and global energy plant construction firms. Including consolidated joint ventures and variable interest entities (“VIEs”), GPS and APC represent the Company’s power industry services reportable segment. Through TRC, the industrial fabrication and field services reportable segment provides on-site services that support maintenance turnarounds, shutdowns and emergency mobilizations for industrial plants primarily located in the southern United States (the “US”) and that are based on its expertise in producing, delivering and installing fabricated steel components such as piping systems, pressure vessels and heat exchangers. Through SMC, which conducts business as SMC Infrastructure Solutions, the telecommunications infrastructure services segment provides project management, construction, installation and maintenance services to commercial, local government and federal government customers primarily in the mid-Atlantic region of the US.

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Argan, its wholly owned subsidiaries, its financially-controlled joint ventures and any variable interest entities for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary (see Note 3). All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain comparative amounts in the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statements of cash flows were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. In Note 17, 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 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 and uncertain income tax return positions, 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 less accumulated depreciation. Such assets acquired in a business combination are initially included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at fair values. The Company capitalizes the power plant project development costs incurred by its consolidated variable interest entities. Should these construction preparation efforts be unsuccessful, the costs would be written-off at that time. 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 an asset is sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation amounts 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 prescribed business valuation process unless the consideration of a possible goodwill impairment conducted pursuant to the permitted, simplified qualitative approach results in a conclusion that it is unlikely that an impairment has occurred.

A reporting entity identifies a potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined using various market-based and income-based valuation techniques as applicable in the particular circumstances. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not deemed impaired. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a goodwill impairment loss is recorded in an amount equal to the excess of the unit’s carrying value over its fair value, not to exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Nonetheless, the Company evaluates any amounts of goodwill for impairment more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill value may be impaired.

The simplified method allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the more complex quantitative goodwill impairment test. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting 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 the Company considers 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, plant 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 7.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition – Effective February 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” and a series of amendments which together hereinafter are referred to as “ASC Topic 606”, using the permitted modified retrospective method. Accordingly, the new guidance was applied retrospectively to contracts that were not completed as of the adoption date. Financial results for the year ended January 31, 2019 have been presented under ASC Topic 606, while prior period operating result amounts have not been adjusted and are reported in accordance with previous guidance. See Note 4 for additional discussion about the adoption of ASC Topic 606 and its impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The new standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenues arising from contracts with customers. Central to the new revenue recognition framework is a five-step revenue recognition model that requires reporting entities to:

Identify the contract,

Identify the performance obligations of the contract,

Determine the transaction price of the contract,

Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and

Recognize revenue.

The Company focuses on the transfer of the contractor’s control of the goods and/or services to the customer, as opposed to the transfer of risk and rewards. Major provisions of the new standard cover the determination of which goods and services are distinct and represent separate performance obligations, the appropriate treatments for variable consideration, and the evaluation of whether revenues should be recognized at a point in time or over time. Where a performance obligation is satisfied over time, the related revenues are also recognized over time.

The transaction price for a contract represents the value of the contract awarded to the Company that is used to determine the amount of revenues recognized as of the balance sheet date. It may reflect amounts of variable consideration, which could be either increases or decreases to the transaction price. These adjustments can be made from time-to-time during the period of contract performance as circumstances evolve related to such items as variations in the scope and price of contracts, claims, incentives and liquidated damages.

The Company includes the estimated amount of variable consideration in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenues recognized on the particular contract will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The Company’s determination of the amount of variable consideration to be included in the transaction price of a particular contract is based largely on an assessment of the Company’s anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available. The effect of any revisions to the transaction price on the amount of previously recognized revenues that is due to the addition or reduction of variable consideration is recorded currently as an adjustment to revenues on a cumulative catch-up basis. In the event that any amounts of variable consideration that are reflected in the transaction price of a contract are not resolved in the Company’s favor, there could be reductions in, or reversals of, previously recognized revenues.

Most of the Company’s long-term contracts are considered to have a single performance obligation. Although multiple promises to transfer individual goods or services may exist, they are not typically distinct within the context of our contracts because our contract promises are interrelated or they require the Company to perform critical integration so that the customer receives a completed project. Warranties provided under the Company’s contracts with customers are assurance-type and are included as elements of the single performance obligations. Under previous revenue recognition guidance, the Company also generally accounted for its long-term contracts as single units of account (i.e., a single performance obligation).

Most of the Company’s revenues are recognized primarily under various types of long-term construction contracts, including those for which revenues are based on either a fixed price, time and materials or cost-plus-fee basis, and primarily over time as performance obligations are satisfied due to the continuous transfer of control to the project owner or other customer. Significant contracts typically have durations of three months to three years. Revenues from fixed price 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. However, costs incurred on a particular contract that are related to materials or equipment items over which the corresponding project owner has yet to obtain control shall be excluded from the measurement of progress toward the satisfaction of the corresponding performance obligation determined as of the report date. If at any time, the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on a contract, the Company will recognize the total loss in the the reporting period that it is identified and an amount is estimable. Revenues from time and materials contracts are recognized when the related services are provided to the customer. 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.

The timing of when the Company bills its customers is generally dependent upon negotiated billing terms, the achievement of certain contract milestones, the completion of certain other phases of the work, or when services are provided or products are shipped. Projects with performance obligations satisfied over time will typically have revenues recognized to date in amounts different from the amounts of cumulative billings. As the rights and obligations in contracts are interdependent, the differences for each contract are combined with certain other asset and liability amounts related to the corresponding contracts in order to determine the net asset or net liability amounts, on a contract-by-contract basis. The amounts for each contract in a net asset position are totaled at the report date and presented in the corresponding consolidated balance sheet as contract assets. Likewise, the amounts for each contract in a net liability position are totaled at the report date and presented in the corresponding consolidated balance sheet as contract liabilities.

Contract assets are defined in the new standard to include amounts that represent the rights to receive payment for goods or services that have been transferred to the project owner, with the rights conditional upon something other than the passage of time. Contract liabilities are defined in the new standard to include the amounts that reflect obligations to provide goods or services for which payment has been received. Accordingly, the amounts presented in prior consolidated balance sheets that were identified as “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings” and “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings” are now reflected in the line items entitled “contract assets” and “contract liabilities.”

In addition, accounts receivable has been redefined to represent unconditional rights to receive payments which only require the passage of time. Billed amounts retained by project owners until a defined phase of a contract or project has been completed and accepted, which were historically included in accounts receivable, are now reflected in contract assets or contract liabilities depending on the net contract position of the particular contract. Retention amounts and the length of retention periods may vary. Retainage amounts related to active contracts are considered current regardless of the term of the applicable contract; such amounts are generally collected by the completion of the applicable contract.

The proper accounting for certain costs that may be incurred to obtain contracts or costs that may be incurred to fulfill contracts but do not represent actual progress, has been altered by the new guidance. Such costs, when material, are capitalized, are treated as contract assets, and generally are amortized to contract costs over the corresponding contract performance period.

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 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. Management evaluates and the Company records 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 jurisdiction (see Note 13).

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

Share-Based Payments

Share-Based Payments – 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 primarily. The compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

For each exercise of a stock option, the Company determines whether the difference between the deduction for income tax reporting purposes created at that time and the related compensation expense previously recorded for financial reporting purposes results in either an excess income tax benefit or an income tax deficiency which is recognized, accordingly, as income tax benefit or expense in the corresponding consolidated statement of earnings.

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 carrying value amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets for the Company’s current assets, which primarily include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable and contract assets, and its current liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these items. The fair value amounts of reporting units (as needed for purposes of identifying goodwill impairment losses) are determined by averaging valuations that are calculated using market-based and income-based approaches deemed appropriate in the circumstances (see Note 7).

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). There are no applicable income taxes. 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, 2019, 2018 and 2017; such amounts were not material.