SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

(a) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

The principal business of PRGX Global, Inc. and subsidiaries is providing recovery audit services to large businesses and government agencies having numerous payment transactions. PRGX also provides services adjacent to recovery audit services, including supplier information management ("SIM"), data transformation, spend analytics and associated advisory services, to a similar client base. These businesses include, but are not limited to:


•	retailers such as discount, department, specialty, grocery and drug stores, and wholesalers who sell to these retailers;


•	business enterprises other than retailers such as manufacturers, financial services firms, pharmaceutical companies, and resource companies such as oil and gas companies; and


•	federal and state government agencies.

Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, “PRGX,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to PRGX Global, Inc. and its subsidiaries. PRGX currently provides services to clients in over 30 countries across a multitude of industries.

Basis of Presentation

During the fourth quarter of 2015 we discontinued the Healthcare Claims Recovery Audit ("HCRA") business. The results of our continuing and discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are presented in accordance with ASC 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statements - Discontinued Operations.

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(b) Revenue Recognition, Billed and Unbilled Receivables, and Refund Liabilities

We base our revenue on specific contracts with our clients. These contracts generally specify: (a) time periods covered by the audit; (b) nature and extent of audit services we are to provide; (c) the client’s duties in assisting and cooperating with us; and (d) fees payable to us, generally expressed as a specified percentage of the amounts recovered by the client resulting from overpayment claims identified. Clients generally recover claims either by taking credits against outstanding payables or future purchases from the involved vendors, or receiving refund checks directly from those vendors. The manner in which a claim is recovered by a client often is dictated by industry practice. In addition, many clients establish specific procedural guidelines that we must satisfy prior to submitting claims for client approval, and these guidelines are unique to each client. For some services we provide, we earn our compensation in the form of a fixed fee, a fee per hour, or a fee per other unit of service.

We generally recognize revenue for a contractually specified percentage of amounts recovered when we have determined that our clients have received economic value (generally through credits taken against existing accounts payable due to the involved vendors or refund checks received from those vendors) and when we have met the following criteria: (a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (b) services have been rendered; (c) the fee billed to the client is fixed or determinable; and (d) collectability is reasonably assured. In certain limited circumstances, we will invoice a client prior to meeting all four of these criteria; in such cases, we defer the revenue until we meet all of the criteria. Additionally, for purposes of determining appropriate timing of recognition and for internal control purposes, we rely on customary business practices and processes for documenting that we have met the criteria described in (a) through (d) above. Such customary business practices and processes may vary significantly by client. On occasion, it is possible that a transaction has met all of the revenue recognition criteria described above but we do not recognize revenue, unless we can otherwise determine that criteria (a) through (d) above have been met, because our customary business practices and processes specific to that client have not been completed.

Historically, there has been a certain amount of revenue with respect to which, even though we had met the requirements of our revenue recognition policy, our clients’ vendors ultimately have rejected the claims underlying the revenue. In that case, our clients may request a refund or offset of such amount even though we may have collected fees. We record any such refunds as a reduction of revenue. We provide refund liabilities for these reductions in the economic value previously received by our clients with respect to vendor claims we identified and for which we previously have recognized revenue. We compute an estimate of our refund liabilities at any given time based on actual historical refund data.

Billed receivables are stated at the amount we plan to collect and do not bear interest. We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of our billed receivables and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our clients to meet their financial obligations to us. This reserve is primarily based on the level of past-due accounts based on the contractual terms of the receivables, our history of write-offs, and our relationships with, and the economic status of, our clients.

Unbilled receivables relate to claims for which clients have received economic value but for which we contractually have agreed not to submit an invoice to the clients at such time. Unbilled receivables arise when a portion of our fee is deferred at the time of the initial invoice. At a later date (which can be up to a year after original invoice, and at other times a year after completion of the audit period), we invoice the unbilled receivable amount. Notwithstanding the deferred due date, our clients acknowledge that we have earned this unbilled receivable at the time of the original invoice, but have agreed to defer billing the client for the related services.

We record periodic changes in unbilled receivables and refund liabilities as adjustments to revenue.

We derive a relatively small portion of revenue on a “fee-for-service” basis whereby billing is based upon a fixed fee, a fee per hour, or a fee per other unit of service. We recognize revenue for these types of services as we provide and invoice for them, and when criteria (a) through (d) as set forth above are met.

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less from date of purchase. We place our temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions. At times, certain investments may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit or otherwise may not be covered by FDIC insurance. Some of our cash and cash equivalents are held at banks in jurisdictions outside the U.S. that have restrictions on transferring such assets outside of these countries on a temporary or permanent basis. Such restricted net assets are not significant in comparison to our consolidated net assets.

The $15.7 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016 includes $4.1 million held in the U.S., $1.9 million held in Canada, and $9.7 million held in other foreign jurisdictions, primarily in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Brazil. Our cash and cash equivalents included short-term investments of approximately $2.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and $4.5 million as of December 31, 2015, of which approximately $2.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively, were held at banks outside of the United States, primarily in Brazil and Canada.

(d) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We state cash equivalents at cost, which approximates fair market value. The carrying values for receivables from clients, unbilled receivables, accounts payable, deferred revenue and other accrued liabilities reasonably approximate fair market value due to the nature of the financial instrument and the short term maturity of these items.

We record bank debt, if any, as of the period end date based on the effective borrowing rate and repayment terms when originated. As of December 31, 2016, we had $3.6 million in bank debt outstanding, and we had no bank debt outstanding as of December 31, 2015. We believe the carrying value of the bank debt approximates its fair value. We considered the factors used in determining the fair value of this debt to be Level 3 inputs (significant unobservable inputs).

We had $4.0 million of business acquisition obligations as of December 31, 2016, and no such obligation as of December 31, 2015. Our business acquisition obligations represent the fair value of deferred consideration and earn-out payments estimated to be due as of the date for which we recorded these amounts. We determine the preliminary estimated fair values based on our projections of future revenue and profits or other factors used in the calculation of the ultimate payment to be made. The discount rate that we use to value the liability is based on specific business risk, cost of capital, and other factors. We consider these factors to be Level 3 inputs (significant unobservable inputs).

We state certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Generally, these assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges.

(e) Property and Equipment

We report property and equipment at cost or estimated fair value at acquisition date and depreciate them over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Our useful lives for fixed assets are three years for computer laptops, four years for desktops, five years for IT server, storage and network equipment, five years for furniture and fixtures and three years for purchased software. We amortize leasehold improvements using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or ten years. Depreciation expense from continuing operations was $5.0 million in 2016, $5.3 million in 2015 and $6.0 million in 2014.

We review the carrying value of property and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, we will recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset. No impairment charges were necessary in the three years ended December 31, 2016.

(f) Software Development Costs

We capitalize a portion of the costs we incur related to our internal development of software that we use in our operations and amortize these costs using the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of three to seven years.

We also capitalize a portion of the costs we incur related to our internal development of software that we intend to market to others. We amortize these costs over the products’ estimated economic lives, which typically are three years, beginning when the underlying products are available for general release to clients. We review the carrying value of capitalized software development costs for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, we will recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset.

We consider software development activities to be research and development costs and expense them as incurred. However, we capitalize the costs incurred for the development of computer software that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed or that will be used in our operations beginning when technological feasibility has been established. Research and development costs from continuing operations, including the amortization of amounts previously capitalized, were $3.5 million in 2016, $3.0 million in 2015 and $3.1 million in 2014.

(g) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair market value of net identifiable assets of acquired businesses. We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, in the fourth quarter of each year or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may exceed its fair value. This evaluation includes a preliminary assessment of qualitative factors to determine if it is necessary to perform a two-step impairment testing process. The first step identifies potential impairments by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the calculated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired, and the second step is not necessary. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the second step calculates the possible impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying value. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, we would record an impairment charge.

We are not required to calculate the fair value of our reporting units that hold goodwill unless we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of these reporting units is less than their carrying values. In this analysis, we consider a number of factors, including changes in our legal, business and regulatory climates, changes in competition or key personnel, macroeconomic factors impacting our company or our clients, our recent financial performance and expectations of future performance and other pertinent factors. Based on these analyses, we determined that it was not necessary for us to perform the two-step process. We last used independent business valuation professionals to estimate fair value in the fourth quarter of 2010 and determined that fair value exceeded carrying value for all relevant reporting units. No impairment charges were necessary based on our internal assessments in the three years ended December 31, 2016.

(h) Direct Expenses and Deferred Costs

We typically expense direct expenses that we incur during the course of recovery audit and delivery of Adjacent Services offerings as incurred. For certain implementation and set-up costs associated with our “fee for service” revenue that we earn over an extended period of time, we defer the related direct and incremental costs and recognize them as expenses over the life of the underlying contract.

(i) Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates we expect to apply to taxable income in the years in which we expect to recover or settle those temporary differences. We recognize the effect on the deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We reduce our deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. In determining the amount of valuation allowance to record, we consider all available positive and negative evidence affecting specific deferred tax assets, including our past and anticipated future performance, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the length of carry-back and carry-forward periods and the implementation of tax planning strategies. Objective positive evidence is necessary to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed for all or a portion of deferred tax assets when significant negative evidence exists. Cumulative losses in recent years are the most compelling form of negative evidence we considered in this determination.

We apply a “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We refer to GAAP for guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. In accordance with FASB ASC 740, our policy for recording interest and penalties associated with tax positions is to record such items as a component of income before income taxes. A number of years may elapse before a particular tax position is audited and finally resolved or when a tax assessment is raised. The number of years subject to tax assessments also varies by tax jurisdictions.

(j) Foreign Currency

We use the local currency as the functional currency in the majority of the countries in which we conduct business outside of the United States. We translate the assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at the current rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. We include the translation gains and losses as a separate component of shareholders’ equity and in the determination of comprehensive income (loss). We translate revenue and expenses in foreign currencies at the weighted average exchange rates for the period. We separately state the foreign currency transaction gains and losses on short-term intercompany balances in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We include all other realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains (losses) in “Selling, general and administrative expenses.”

(k) Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

We compute basic earnings (loss) per common share by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. We compute diluted earnings (loss) per common share by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the sum of (1) the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, (2) the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method, and (3) the dilutive effect of other potentially dilutive securities. We exclude the potential dilutive effect of stock options and convertible instruments from the determination of diluted earnings (loss) per common share if the effect of including them would be antidilutive.

(l) Stock-Based Compensation

We account for awards of equity instruments issued to employees and directors under the fair value method of accounting and recognize such amounts in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We measure compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations using the straight-line method over the service period over which we expect the awards to vest. We recognize compensation costs for awards with performance conditions based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions. We accrue compensation cost if we believe it is probable that the performance condition(s) will be achieved and do not accrue compensation cost if we believe it is not probable that the performance condition(s) will be achieved. In the event that it becomes probable that performance condition(s) will no longer be achieved, we reverse all of the previously recognized compensation expense in the period such a determination is made.

We estimate the fair value of all time-vested options as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, which was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, which we calculate based on the historical volatility of our common stock. We use a risk-free interest rate, based on the U.S. Treasury instruments in effect at the time of the grant, for the period comparable to the expected term of the option. We use the “simplified” method in estimating the expected term of options as we have concluded that our historical share option exercise experience is a less than reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term for our grants.

We estimate the fair value of nonvested stock awards (restricted stock and restricted stock units) as being equal to the market value of the common stock on the date of the award. We classify our share-based payments as either liability-classified awards or as equity-classified awards. We remeasure liability-classified awards to fair value at each balance sheet date until the award is settled. We measure equity-classified awards at their grant date fair value and do not subsequently remeasure them. We have classified our share-based payments which are settled in our common stock as equity-classified awards and our share-based payments that are settled in cash as liability-classified awards. Compensation costs related to equity-classified awards generally are equal to the fair value of the award at grant-date amortized over the vesting period of the award. The liability for liability-classified awards generally is equal to the fair value of the award as of the balance sheet date multiplied by the percentage vested at the time. We record the change in the liability amount from one balance sheet date to another to compensation expense.

(m) Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Consolidated comprehensive income (loss) consists of consolidated net income (loss) and foreign currency translation adjustments. We present the calculation of consolidated comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). No amounts have been reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income during the periods presented in our consolidated financial statements.

(n) Segment Reporting

We report our operating segment information in three segments: Recovery Audit Services – Americas; Recovery Audit Services – Europe/Asia-Pacific and Adjacent Services. We include the unallocated portion of corporate selling, general and administrative expenses not specifically attributable to our three operating segments in Corporate Support. Our business segments reflect the internal reporting that our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, uses for the purpose of making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, uses what we internally refer to as “Adjusted EBITDA” as the primary measure of profit or loss for purposes of assessing the operating performance of all operating segments. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) as adjusted for unusual and other significant items that management views as distorting the operating results of the various segments from period to period.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures do not measure the profit or loss of the reportable segments in accordance with GAAP. Given that we use Adjusted EBITDA as our primary measure of segment performance, GAAP rules on segment reporting require that we include this non-GAAP measure in our discussion of our operating segments. We also must reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to our operating results presented on a GAAP basis. We provide this reconciliation in Note 2 to these consolidated financial statements along with other information about our reportable segments. We do not intend the reconciling items to be, nor should they be, interpreted as non-recurring or extraordinary, or in any manner be deemed as adjustments made in accordance with GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure determined in accordance with GAAP, it may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

(o) Reclassification of Prior Year Balance Sheet

Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior year in order to conform to the current year presentation.

(p) New Accounting Standards

A summary of the new accounting standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and included in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) that apply to us is set forth below.

FASB ASC Update No. 2016-09 - In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The standard requires the recognition of the income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, thus eliminating additional paid in capital pools. The standard also allows for the employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting. In addition, the standard allows for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than on an estimated basis. The standard became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.

FASB ASC Update No. 2016-05 - In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The standard clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.

FASB ASC Update No. 2016-02 - In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The standard requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. The standard requires lessors to classify leases as either sales-type, finance or operating. A sales-type lease occurs if the lessor transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as a financing lease. If the lessor does not convey risks and rewards or control, an operating lease results. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and financial statement disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with new guidance on recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The standards update outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to utilize to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that will be received in exchange for the goods and services. Additional disclosures will also be required to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In 2016, the FASB issued accounting standards updates to address implementation issues and to clarify the guidance for identifying performance obligations, licenses and determining if a company is the principal or agent in a revenue arrangement. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of this standards update to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted on the original effective date of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. We have substantially completed our evaluation of significant contracts and are currently assessing the impact of adopting the standards update on our consolidated financial statements. We will continue our evaluation of the standards update through the date of adoption.