Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of KVH Industries, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, KVH Industries AS, KVH Industries Pte. Ltd., KVH Industries Brasil Comunicacao Por Satelite Ltda., KVH Industries Japan Co. Ltd., KVH Industries Norway AS, KVH Industries UK Ltd., and KVH Media Group Ltd. (collectively, KVH or the Company), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. KVH Media Group Ltd. is comprised of wholly-owned subsidiaries, KVH Media Group Services Ltd., KVH Media Group Entertainment Ltd., KVH Media Group Communication Ltd., KVH Media Group International Ltd., KVH Media Group Ltd., Good Morning News Sprl., KVH Media Group ApS, KVH Media Group Communication, Inc., KVH Media Group, Inc., Rigstream B.V., and Bamboo Option Ltd. (collectively, KVH Media Group). The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date of this filing. Given that KVH Industries AS, KVH Industries Pte. Ltd., KVH Industries Japan Co. Ltd., and KVH Industries Brasil Comunicacao Por Satelite Ltda. operate as the Company’s European, Singaporean, Japanese and Brazilian international distributors, all of their operating expenses are reflected within sales, marketing and support within the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. KVH Industries Norway AS, a subsidiary of KVH Industries AS develops and distributes middleware software solutions known as CommBox technology, and the KVH Media Group distributes premium licensed news, sports, movies and music content for commercial and leisure customers in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets. Both KVH Industries Norway AS and the KVH Media Group are included in the Company’s mobile communications products and services. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Significant Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect the Company’s revenue recognition, valuation of accounts receivable, valuation of inventory, assumptions used to determine fair value of goodwill and intangible assets, deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance, stock-based compensation, warranty and accounting for contingencies.

Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Single Source Suppliers

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. The Company is potentially subject to financial instrument concentration of credit risk through its cash, cash equivalent and marketable securities investments. To mitigate these risks the Company maintains cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities with reputable and nationally recognized financial institutions. As of December 31, 2013, $46,386 classified as marketable securities was held by Wells Fargo and substantially all of the cash and cash equivalents were held by Bank of America, N.A. See note 2 for a description of marketable securities.

Trade accounts receivable. Concentrations of risk (see note 12) with respect to trade accounts receivable are generally limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across several geographic areas. Although the Company does not foresee credit risk associated with these receivables to deviate from historical experience, repayment is dependent upon the financial stability of those individual customers. The Company establishes allowances for potential bad debts and evaluates, on a monthly basis, the adequacy of those reserves based upon historical experience and its expectations for future collectability concerns. Activity within the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the periods presented is as follows:



	2013			2012			2011
Beginning balance	$	929		$	623		$	592
Additions to sales allowance and bad debt expense	1,305			536			276
Deductions (write-offs/recoveries) from reserve	(529		)	(230		)	(245		)
Ending balance	$	1,705		$	929		$	623

Certain components from third parties used in the Company’s products are procured from single sources of supply. The failure of a supplier, including a subcontractor, to deliver on schedule could delay or interrupt the Company’s delivery of products and thereby materially adversely affect the Company’s revenues and operating results.

Revenue Recognition

Product sales. Product sales are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, goods are shipped, title has passed and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company’s standard sales terms require that:


•	All sales are final;


•	Terms are generally Net 30;


•	Shipments are tendered and shipped FOB (or as may be applicable, FCA, or EXW) the Company’s plant or warehouse; and


•	Title and risk of loss or damage passes to the dealer or distributor at the point of shipment when delivery is made to the possession of the carrier.

For certain guidance and stabilization product sales, customer acceptance or inspection may be required before title and risk of loss transfers. For those sales, revenue is recognized after transfer of title and risk of loss and after notification of customer acceptance.

Under certain limited conditions, the Company, at its sole discretion, provides for the return of goods. No product is accepted for return and no credit is allowed on any returned product unless the Company has granted and confirmed prior written permission by means of appropriate authorization. The Company establishes reserves for potential sales returns, credits, and allowances, and evaluates, on a monthly basis, the adequacy of those reserves based upon historical experience and expectations for the future.

Multiple-element revenue arrangements. Some of our sales involve multiple-element arrangements that include both hardware-related products and contracted service, or satellite connectivity that are accounted under ASC 605-25, Multiple-Element Arrangements.

Multiple elements, arrangement consideration is allocated to each element based on the relative selling prices of all of the elements in the arrangement using the fair value hierarchy as required by “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” (Accounting Standards Update “ASU” 2009-13). The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2009-13 as of January 1, 2010. ASU 2009-13 requires the Company establish VSOE of fair value based upon the price charged when the same element is sold separately or established by management having the relevant pricing authority. When VSOE exists it is used to determine the selling price of a deliverable. When VSOE is not established, the Company attempts to establish the selling price of each element based on TPE. When the Company is unable to establish selling price using VSOE or TPE, the Company uses BESP in the allocation of arrangement consideration for the relevant deliverables. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if a product or service was sold on a stand-alone basis. The Company determines BESP for our products and certain services by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, overall market conditions, including geographic or regional-specific market factors and profit objectives for such deliverables.

Each deliverable within the Company's multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements is accounted for as a separate unit of accounting under the guidance of ASU 2009-13 if both of the following criteria are met: the delivered item or items have value to the customer on a standalone basis; and for an arrangement that includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the Company. The Company considers a deliverable to have standalone value if the item is sold separately by the Company or another vendor or if the item could be resold by the customer. Further, the Company's revenue arrangements generally do not include a general right of return relative to delivered products.

Deliverables not meeting the criteria for being a separate unit of accounting are combined with a deliverable that does meet that criterion. The appropriate allocation of arrangement consideration and recognition of revenue is then determined for the combined unit of accounting.

Satellite connectivity and media content sales. Directly sold and re-sold satellite connectivity service for voice, data and Internet is recognized monthly based upon minutes or megabytes of traffic processed or contracted fixed fee schedules. Typically, all subscribers enter into a contracted one-year minimum service agreement. The Company records all satellite connectivity service sales to subscribers as gross sales, as the Company is the the primary obligor in the contracted service arrangement. All associated regulatory service fees and costs are recorded net in the consolidated financial statements. Media content sales include the Company's distribution of premium licensed news, sports, movies and music content for commercial and leisure customers in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets as well as training videos to the merchant marine market that are typically based on a contracted fixed fee schedule. The Company typically recognizes revenue from media content sales ratably over the period of the service contract. The accounting estimates related to the recognition of satellite connectivity and media content service sales in results of operations requires the Company to make assumptions about future billing adjustments for disputes with subscribers as well as unauthorized usage.

Lease financing. Lease financing consists of sales-type leases primarily of the TracPhone V7. The Company records the leases at a price typically equivalent to normal selling price and in excess of the cost or carrying amount. Upon delivery, the Company records the present value of all payments under these leases as revenues, and the related costs of the product are charged to cost of sales. Interest income is recognized throughout the lease term (typically 3 years) using an implicit interest rate. Through December 31, 2013, lease sales have not been a significant portion of the Company’s total sales.

Contracted service sales. The Company engages in contracts for development, production and services activities which it accounts for consistent with FASB ASC 605-35, Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts, and other relevant revenue recognition accounting literature. The Company considers the nature of these contracts and the types of products and services provided when determining the proper accounting for a particular contract. Customer and government-agency contracted engineering service and grant sales under development contracts are recognized primarily under the percentage of completion method during the period in which the Company performs the service or development efforts in accordance with the agreement. Services performed under these types of contracts include engineering studies, surveys, building construction, prototype development and program management. Performance is determined principally by comparing the accumulated costs incurred to date with management’s estimate of the total cost to complete the contracted work. The Company establishes billing terms at the time project deliverables and milestones are agreed. Unbilled revenue recognized in excess of the amounts invoiced to clients are classified within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in the caption “prepaid expenses and other assets.”

Sales related to customer contracts that call for standard product modification or enhancement are recognized upon the complete delivery and title transfer of all customer-approved products. Costs of contracts in progress are accumulated within the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in the caption “prepaid expenses and other assets” and relieved upon product delivery or when billed.

The use of contract accounting requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract revenues and costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the contract, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, and prices for subcontractor services and materials. The risk to the Company on a fixed-price contract is that if estimates to complete the contract change from one period to the next, profit levels will vary from period to period. The Company's estimates are based upon the professional knowledge and experience of its engineers, program managers and other personnel, who review each long-term contract monthly to assess the contract's schedule, performance, technical matters and estimated cost at completion. Changes in estimates are applied when adjustments in estimated contract costs are identified, such revisions may result in current period adjustments to earnings applicable to performance in prior periods. Any advance payments arising from such extended-term development contracts are recorded as deposits. If, in any period, estimated total costs under a contract indicate an expected loss, then such loss is provided for in that period. Through December 31, 2013, contracted service revenue has not been a significant portion of the Company’s total sales.

Product service sales. Product service sales other than under development contracts are recognized when completed services are provided to the customer and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company establishes reserves for potential sales returns, credit and allowances, and evaluates, on a monthly basis, the adequacy of those reserves based upon historical experience and its expectations for the future. Through December 31, 2013, product service sales have not been a significant portion of the Company’s total sales.

Extended warranty sales. The Company sells extended warranty contracts on mobile communications and guidance and stabilization products. Sales under these contracts are recognized ratably over the contract term. Through December 31, 2013, warranty sales have not been a significant portion of the Company’s total sales.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s mortgage loan approximates fair value based on currently available quoted rates of similarly structured mortgage facilities. See note 2 for more information on the fair value of the Company’s marketable securities.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, cash in excess of operational needs is invested in money market mutual funds, government agency bonds, United States treasuries, corporate notes, and certificates of deposit, which are reflected within marketable securities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at each balance sheet date. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, all of the Company’s marketable securities have been designated as available-for-sale and are carried at their fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company reviews investments in debt securities for other than temporary impairment whenever the fair value of an investment is less than amortized cost and evidence indicates that an investment’s carrying amount is not recoverable within a reasonable period of time. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers whether it intends to sell the security, whether it expects to recover the credit loss, and if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery. Evidence considered in this assessment includes the reasons for the impairment, compliance with the Company’s investment policy, the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in value subsequent to year-end and forecasted performance of the investee. The Company has reviewed its securities with unrealized losses as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and has concluded that no other-than-temporary impairments exist.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in first-out costing method. The Company provides inventory reserves based on excess and obsolete inventory determined primarily by future demand forecasts. The Company records inventory charges to costs of product sales.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. The principal lives used in determining the depreciation rates of various assets are: buildings and improvements, 5-40 years; machinery, satellite hubs and equipment, 5-10 years; office and computer equipment, 3-7 years; and motor vehicles, 5 years.

Goodwill and Long-lived Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets are associated with the purchase of Virtek Communication (now known as KVH Industries Norway AS) in September 2010 and Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group) in May 2013.

Goodwill is recorded when the consideration for an acquisition exceeds the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment at least annually, or if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow model or other valuation models, such as comparative transactions and market multiples. The impairment test is performed through the application of a two-step process. The first step compares the carrying value of the Company’s reporting units to their estimated fair values as of the test date. If fair value is less than carrying value, a second step is performed to quantify the amount of the impairment, if any. As of August 31, 2013, the Company performed its annual impairment test for goodwill at the reporting unit level and, after conducting the first step, determined that it was not necessary to conduct the second step as it concluded that the fair value of its reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value. Accordingly, the Company determined no adjustment to goodwill was necessary. There were no indicators of potential goodwill impairment noted as of December 31, 2013.

Intangible assets are comprised of the following, which are being amortized on a straight line basis over the following estimated useful lives:



	Estimated Useful Life
Virtek Communication (now KVH Industries Norway AS):
Intellectual property	7
Headland Media Limited (now the KVH Media Group):
Subscriber relationships	10
Distribution rights	15
Internally developed software	3
Proprietary content	2

Intangible assets with estimated lives and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of intangible assets with estimated lives and other long-lived assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If these comparisons indicate that an asset is not recoverable, the Company will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds the related estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is based on either discounted future operating cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the asset. There are no events or changes in circumstances that indicated any of the carrying amounts of the Company’s intangible assets may not be recoverable during 2013. See note 10 for further discussion of goodwill and intangible assets.

Other Non-Current Assets

Other non-current assets are primarily comprised of long-term lease receivables, prepaid expenses, and deposits.

Product Warranty

The Company’s products carry limited warranties that range from one to four years and vary by product. The warranty period begins on the date of retail purchase or lease by the original purchaser. The Company accrues estimated product warranty costs at the time of sale and any additional amounts are recorded when such costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of units sold or leased, historical and anticipated rates of warranty repairs and the cost per repair. Warranty and related costs are reflected within sales, marketing and support in the accompanying statements of operations.

Shipping and Handling Cost

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of sales. Billings for shipping and handling are reflected within net sales in the accompanying statements of operations.

Research and Development

Expenditures for research and development, including customer-funded research and development, are expensed as incurred.

Advertising Costs

Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $3,189, $2,523, and $2,081 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and is included in sales, marketing, and support expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign Currency Translations

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries located in Denmark and Singapore are maintained using the United States dollar as the functional currency. Exchange rates in effect on the date of the transaction are used to record monetary assets and liabilities. Revenue and other expense elements are recorded at rates that approximate the rates in effect on the transaction dates. Realized foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses are recognized within “other income (expense)” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company experienced foreign currency losses of $123, $37 and $79, respectively.

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries located in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Norway, Cyprus, Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan subsidiaries use the foreign subsidiaries’ respective local currencies as the functional currency. The Company translates the assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries at the exchange rates in effect at year-end. Net sales, costs and expenses are translated using average exchange rates in effect during the year. Gains and losses from foreign currency translation are credited or charged to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included in stockholders' equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Income Tax

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records valuation allowances to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination. If it is not more likely than not that a position will be sustained, no amount of the benefit attributable to the position is recognized. The tax benefit to be recognized of any tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon resolution of the contingency. See note 8 for further discussion of income taxes.

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share incorporates the dilutive effect of common stock equivalent options, warrants and other convertible securities, if any, as determined in accordance with the treasury stock accounting method.

Contingent Liabilities

The Company estimates the amount of potential exposure it may have with respect to claims, assessments and litigation in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies. The Company is not party to any lawsuit or proceeding that, in management’s opinion, is likely to materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, as described in note 17. It is not always possible to predict the outcome of litigation, as it is subject to many uncertainties. Additionally, it is not always possible for management to make a meaningful estimate of the potential loss or range of loss associated with such litigation. As of December 31, 2013, no losses have been accrued with respect to pending litigation

Operating Segments

The Company operates in a single segment. Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. To date, the chief operating decision maker has made such decisions and assessed performance at the company level, as one segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

As of December 31, 2013, there were no recently issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements that would have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.