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OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (POLICIES)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]

TeleTech Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“TeleTech” or the “Company”) is a leading global provider of technology enabled customer experience services. The Company helps leading brands improve customer experiences and operational effectiveness through a unique combination of technological innovation and operational expertise. The Company’s portfolio of solutions includes consulting, technology, operations and analytics to enable a seamless customer experience across every interaction channel and phase of the customer lifecycle. TeleTech’s 48,000 employees serve clients in the automotive, communication, financial services, government, healthcare, logistics, media and entertainment, retail, technology, transportation and travel industries via operations in the U.S., Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Lebanon, Macedonia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The Consolidated Financial Statements are comprised of the accounts of TeleTech, its wholly owned subsidiaries, its 55% equity owned subsidiary Percepta, LLC, and its 100% interest in iKnowtion, LLC effective January 2016, (see Note 16). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded an additional tax expense of $1.1 million that should have been recorded in prior periods related to operations by an entity outside its country of incorporation. The total amount of $1.1 million should have been recorded as additional expense in the amount of $180 thousand in 2011, $123 thousand in 2012, $137 thousand in 2013, $358 thousand in 2014 and $301 thousand in 2015.

During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded an additional expense of $1.75 million as an additional estimated tax liability that should have been recorded in prior periods related to ongoing discussions with relevant government authorities related to site compliance with tax advantaged status. The total amount of $1.75 million should have been recorded as additional tax expense in the amount of $466 thousand in 2012, $406 thousand in 2013, $645 thousand in 2014 and $234 thousand in the first quarter of 2015.

During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded an additional $3.2 million loss related to foreign currency translation within Other comprehensive income (loss) that should have been recorded in 2014 and the three months ended March 31, 2015 to correct for an error in translating the financial results of Sofica Group AD, which the Company acquired on February 28, 2014. Of the $3.2 million recorded, approximately $1.7 million and $1.5 million should have been recorded in the year ended December 31, 2014, and the three months ended March 31, 2015, respectively. The Company also recorded an additional $2.7 million loss to Other, net of tax within Other comprehensive income (loss) in the three months ended March 31, 2015 related to the annual actuarial analysis for the Company’s Philippines pension liability that should have been recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

During the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded an additional $2.9 million impairment to correct for an error in the goodwill impairment annual assessment and quarterly assessment for the WebMetro reporting unit. The Company should have recorded a $2.3 million impairment in the three months ended December 31, 2014 and an additional $0.6 million impairment in the three months ended September 30, 2015.

The Company has evaluated the aggregate impact of these adjustments and concluded that these adjustments were not material to the previously issued or current period Consolidated Financial Statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates including those related to derivatives and hedging activities, income taxes including the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, self-insurance reserves, litigation reserves, restructuring reserves, allowance for doubtful accounts, contingent consideration, and valuation of goodwill, long-lived and intangible assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the normal course of business, primarily related to accounts receivable and derivative instruments. Historically, the losses related to credit risk have been immaterial. The Company regularly monitors its credit risk to mitigate the possibility of current and future exposures resulting in a loss. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of its clients prior to entering into an agreement to provide services and as necessary through the life of the client relationship. The Company does not believe it is exposed to more than a nominal amount of credit risk in its derivative hedging activities, as the Company diversifies its activities across six well-capitalized, investment-grade financial institutions.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and payable and debt approximate the carrying amounts because of their short-term nature.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all cash and highly liquid short-term investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. The Company manages a centralized global treasury function in the United States with a focus on concentrating and safeguarding its global cash and cash equivalents. While the majority of the Company’s cash is held outside the U.S., the Company prefers to hold U.S. Dollars in addition to the local currencies of the foreign subsidiaries. The Company believes that it has effectively mitigated and managed its risk relating to its global cash through its cash management practices, banking partners, and utilization of diversified, high quality investments. However, the Company can provide no assurances that it will not sustain losses.

Accounts Receivable

An allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on the aging of the Company’s accounts receivable, historical experience, client financial condition, and management judgment. The Company writes off accounts receivable against the allowance when the Company determines a balance is uncollectible.

Derivatives.

Derivatives

The Company enters into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to reduce its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that are associated with forecasted revenue earned in foreign locations. The Company also enters into interest rate derivatives which consist of interest rate swaps to reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations associated with its variable rate debt. Upon proper qualification, these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. The Company formally documents at the inception of the hedge all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedging activities.

All derivative financial instruments are reported at fair value and recorded in Prepaids and other current assets, Other assets, Other current liabilities, and Other liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as applicable for each period end. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a component of Stockholders’ Equity, to the extent they are deemed effective. Ineffectiveness is measured based on the change in fair value of the forward contracts and the fair value of the hypothetical derivatives with terms that match the critical terms of the risk being hedged. Based on the criteria established by current accounting standards, the Company’s cash flow hedge contracts are deemed to be highly effective. Any realized gains or losses resulting from the foreign currency cash flow hedges are recognized together with the hedged transaction within Revenue. Any realized gains or losses from the interest rate swaps are recognized in Interest expense. Gains and losses from the settlements of the Company’s net investment hedges remain in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until partial or complete liquidation of the applicable net investment.

The Company also enters into fair value derivative contracts that hedge against foreign currency exchange gains and losses primarily associated with short-term payables and receivables. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges affect the carrying value of the asset or liability hedged, with changes in both the derivative instrument and the hedged asset or liability being recognized in Other income (expense), net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation and amortization are computed on the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:


Building		25 years
Computer equipment and software		3 to 7 years
Telephone equipment		4 to 7 years
Furniture and fixtures		5 years
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of economic useful life (typically 10 years) or original lease term
Other		3 to 7 years

The Company evaluates the carrying value of property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An asset is considered to be impaired when the forecasted undiscounted cash flows of an asset group are estimated to be less than its carrying value. The amount of impairment recognized is the difference between the carrying value of the asset group and its fair value. Fair value estimates are based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of forecasted future cash flows.

Software Development Costs

The Company capitalizes costs incurred to acquire or develop software for internal use. Capitalized software development costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life equal to the lesser of the license term or 4 years. The amortization expense is recorded in Depreciation and amortization in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Goodwill Policy

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for possible impairment at least annually on December 1, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company uses a three step process to assess the realizability of goodwill. The first step, Step 0, is a qualitative assessment that analyzes current economic indicators associated with a particular reporting unit. For example, the Company analyzes changes in economic, market and industry conditions, business strategy, cost factors, and financial performance, among others, to determine if there would be a significant decline to the fair value of a particular reporting unit. A qualitative assessment also includes analyzing the excess fair value of a reporting unit over its carrying value from impairment assessments performed in previous years. If the qualitative assessment indicates a stable or improved fair value, no further testing is required.

If a qualitative assessment indicates that a significant decline to fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not, or if a reporting unit’s fair value has historically been closer to its carrying value, the Company will proceed to Step 1 testing where the Company calculates the fair value of a reporting unit. If Step 1 indicates that the carrying value of a reporting unit is in excess of its fair value, the Company will proceed to Step 2 where the fair value of the reporting unit will be allocated to assets and liabilities as they would in a business combination. Impairment occurs when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value calculated in Step 2.

Other Intangible Assets

The Company has other intangible assets that include customer relationships (definite-lived) and trade names (indefinite-lived and definite-lived) and non-compete agreements (definite-lived). Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from three to 12 years. The Company evaluates the carrying value of its definite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. A definite-lived intangible asset is considered to be impaired when the forecasted undiscounted cash flows of its asset group are estimated to be less than its carrying value.

The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets for possible impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Similar to goodwill, the Company may first use a qualitative analysis to assess the realizability of its indefinite-lived intangible assets. The qualitative analysis will include a review of changes in economic, market and industry conditions, business strategy, cost factors, and financial performance, among others, to determine if there would be a significant decline to the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset. If a quantitative analysis is completed, an indefinite-lived intangible asset (i.e. trade name) is evaluated for possible impairment by comparing the fair value of the asset with its carrying value. Fair value is estimated as the discounted value of future revenues arising from a trade name using a royalty rate that a market participant would pay for use of that trade name. An impairment charge is recorded if the trade name’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.

Self Insurance Liabilities [Policy Text Block]

Self Insurance Liabilities

The Company self-insures for certain levels of workers’ compensation, employee health, property, errors and omissions, cyber risks, and general liability insurance. The Company records estimated liabilities for these insurance lines based upon analyses of historical claims experience. The most significant assumption the Company makes in estimating these liabilities is that future claims experience will emerge in a similar pattern with historical claims experience. The liabilities related to workers’ compensation and employee health insurance are included in Accrued employee compensation and benefits in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liability for other general liability insurance is included in Other accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Restructuring Liabilities

The Company routinely assesses the profitability and utilization of its customer engagement centers and existing markets. In some cases, the Company has chosen to close under-performing customer engagement centers and complete reductions in workforce to enhance future profitability. Severance payments that occur from reductions in workforce are in accordance with the Company’s postemployment plans and/or statutory requirements that are communicated to all employees upon hire date; therefore, severance liabilities are recognized when they are determined to be probable and reasonably estimable. Other liabilities for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity are recognized when the liability is incurred, rather than upon commitment to a plan.

Income Taxes.

Income Taxes

Accounting for income taxes requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future income tax consequences of transactions that have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Gross deferred tax assets may then be reduced by a valuation allowance for amounts that do not satisfy the realization criteria established by current accounting standards.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on audit. The second step is to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority. The Company evaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on the consideration of several factors including changes in facts or circumstances, changes in applicable tax law, and settlement of issues under audit. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a part of the Provision for income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The Company provides for U.S. income tax expense on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless the subsidiaries’ earnings are considered permanently reinvested outside the U.S.

Equity-Based Compensation Expense

Equity-based compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted is determined based on the grant-date fair value net of an estimated forfeiture rate on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is typically the vesting term of the share-based payment award. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate annually based on its historical experience of forfeited awards.

Foreign Currency Translation

The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar, are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the last day of the period and income and expenses are translated using the monthly average exchange rates in effect for the period in which the items occur. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within Stockholders’ Equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Other income (expense), net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when evidence of an arrangement exists, the delivery of service has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. The BPO inbound and outbound service fees are based on either a per minute, per hour, per FTE, per transaction or per call basis. Certain client programs provide for adjustments to monthly billings based upon whether the Company achieves, exceeds or fails certain performance criteria. Adjustments to monthly billings consist of contractual bonuses/penalties, holdbacks and other performance based contingencies. Revenue recognition is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon delivery of future services or meeting other specified performance conditions.

Revenue also consists of services for agent training, program launch, professional consulting, fully-hosted or managed technology and learning innovation services. These service offerings may contain multiple element arrangements whereby the Company determines if those service offerings represent separate units of accounting. A deliverable constitutes a separate unit of accounting when it has standalone value and delivery or performance of the undelivered item is considered probable and substantially within our control. If those deliverables are determined to be separate units of accounting, revenue is recognized as services are provided. If those deliverables are not determined to be separate units of accounting, revenue for the delivered services are bundled into one unit of accounting and recognized over the life of the arrangement or at the time all services and deliverables have been delivered and satisfied. The Company allocates revenue to each of the deliverables based on a selling price hierarchy of vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), third-party evidence, and then estimated selling price. VSOE is based on the price charged when the deliverable is sold separately. Third-party evidence is based on largely interchangeable competitor services in standalone sales to similarly situated customers. Estimated selling price is based on the Company’s best estimate of what the selling prices of deliverables would be if they were sold regularly on a standalone basis. Estimated selling price is established considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices in different geographies, service offerings, and customer classifications. Once the Company allocates revenue to each deliverable, the Company recognizes revenue when all revenue recognition criteria are met.

Deferred Revenue and Costs

The Company records amounts billed and received, but not earned, as deferred revenue. These amounts are recorded in Deferred revenue or as a component of Other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the period over which the Company expects to render services.

We defer revenue for initial training that occurs upon commencement of a new contract if that training is billed separately because the training is not considered to provide standalone value from other services. Accordingly, the corresponding training costs, consisting primarily of labor and related expenses, are also deferred. In these circumstances, both the training revenue and costs are amortized straight-line over the life of the contract as a component of Revenue and Cost of services, respectively. In situations where these initial training costs are not billed separately, but rather included in the hourly service rates paid by the client over the life of the contract, no deferral is necessary as the revenue is being recognized over the life of the contract and the associated training costs are expensed as incurred.

Rent Expense

The Company has negotiated certain rent holidays, landlord/tenant incentives and escalations in the base price of rent payments over the initial term of its operating leases. The initial term could include the “build-out” period of leases, where no rent payments are typically due. The Company recognizes rent holidays and rent escalations on a straight-line basis to rent expense over the lease term. The landlord/tenant incentives are recorded as an increase to deferred rent liabilities and amortized on a straight line basis to rent expense over the initial lease term.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset retirement obligations relate to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets resulting from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the underlying assets.

The Company records all asset retirement obligations at estimated fair value. The Company’s asset retirement obligations primarily relate to clauses in its customer engagement center operating leases which require the Company to return the leased premises to its original condition. The associated asset retirement obligations are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability, reported within Other long-term liabilities, is accreted through charges to operating expenses. If the asset retirement obligation is settled for an amount other than the carrying amount of the liability, the Company recognizes a gain or loss on settlement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. ASU 2014-09 provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, ASU 2014-09 specifies new accounting for costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling contracts with customers and expands the required disclosures related to revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. While ASU-2014-09 was originally effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Deferral of Effective Date”, deferring the effective date by one year, to be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Earlier adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. ASU 2014-09 can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption, with early application not permitted. The Company has assigned a project manager and team, has selected an external consulting company to assist through the project, has begun the project assessment phase, and is determining its implementation approach. As the Company has not yet completed the assessment, the Company has not made any conclusions regarding the potential impact to the financials.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. ASU 2015-03 requires all costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability. This ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. Beginning in 2016, the Company has applied the new guidance as applicable and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases”, which amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets related to the rights and obligations created by those leases and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. The ASU also requires new disclosures to regarding the amounts, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The new leases standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The Company is currently assessing the impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, evaluating software solutions and other tracking methods, and determining the implementation timeline.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, which amends the existing accounting standards related to stock-based compensation. The ASU simplifies several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has finalized the implementation which will occur effective January 1, 2017, and is currently assessing the impact on its consolidated statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows”. ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice regarding how certain cash transactions are presented and classified in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows by providing guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact on the consolidated statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment”. ASU 2017-04 removes the need to complete Step 2 of any goodwill impairment test that has failed Step 1. The goodwill impairment will now be calculated as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company has determined it will early adopt this standard in 2017