Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The significant accounting policies of Willis Lease Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) were described in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2017 Form 10-K”). There have been no significant changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies for the six months ended June 30, 2018. (a) Basis of Presentation The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, they do not include all information and footnotes normally included in annual consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2017 Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting principally of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of income, statements of comprehensive income and statements of cash flows for such interim periods presented. Additionally, operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year. In accordance with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. These estimates and judgments are based on historical experience and other assumptions that management believes are reasonable. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. The significant estimates made in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include certain assumptions related to goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, assets held for sale, estimated income taxes and stock-based compensation. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. (b) Reclassifications In conjunction with our review of the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company reclassified scrap inventory write-offs and inventory lower of cost or market write-downs that were previously presented within Write-down of equipment to the Cost of spare parts and equipment sales line item. The first half of 2017 was impacted by an adjustment of $1.8 million and is reflected as an increase to Cost of spare parts and equipment sales and a decrease to Write-down of equipment. These reclassified items had no effect on the reported results of operations, financial condition or statements of cash flows. (c) Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is the primary beneficiary in accordance with consolidation guidance. The Company evaluates all entities in which it has an economic interest firstly to determine whether for accounting purposes the entity is a variable interest entity or voting interest entity. If the entity is a VIE the Company consolidates the financial statements of that entity if it is the primary beneficiary of the entities’ activities. If the entity is a voting interest entity the Company consolidates the entity when it has a majority of voting interests. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. (d) Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted by the Company In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amendments in this accounting standard update are intended to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices, and improve disclosure requirements. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The principles in the standard should be applied using a five-step model that includes 1) identifying the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. The standard also requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In addition, the standard amends the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (for example, sales of real estate) to be consistent with the standard’s guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue). The FASB also subsequently issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on principal versus agent guidance, identifying performance obligations, and immaterial goods and services in a contract. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments (collectively known as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606) effective on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach applied only to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption. Please see Note 2 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for the required disclosures related to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of the Company's updated policies related to revenue recognition and accounting for costs to obtain and fulfill a customer contract. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” that eliminates “Step 2” from the goodwill impairment test. The Company has made the election to early adopt ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2018 and the standard was applied on a prospective basis, as required. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements or the related disclosures. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting,” that provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The new guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied on a prospective basis, as required. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements or the related disclosures. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” to address stakeholder concerns about the guidance in current GAAP that requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be adjusted for the effect of a change in tax laws or rates with the effect included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. The amendments in this update allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The ASU must be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Act is recognized. The Company has made the election to early adopt ASU 2018-02 as of January 1, 2018 (the period of adoption) and recorded a reclassification of $59 thousand between Other comprehensive income and Retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. Recent Accounting Pronouncements To Be Adopted by the Company In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The FASB issued ASU 2016-02 to increase transparency and comparability among organizations recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Under ASU 2016-02, lessors will account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing GAAP for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. Unlike current guidance, however, a lease with collectability uncertainties may be classified as a sales-type lease. If collectability of lease payments, plus any amount necessary to satisfy a lessee residual value guarantee, is not probable, lease payments received will be recognized as a deposit liability and the underlying assets will not be derecognized until collectability of the remaining amounts becomes probable. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition. The Company plans to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2019 and is currently evaluating the potential impact adoption will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies of Willis Lease Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) were described in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K (“2017 Form 10-K”). There have been no significant changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies for the six months ended June 30, 2018.

(a) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, they do not include all information and footnotes normally included in annual consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2017 Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting principally of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of income, statements of comprehensive income and statements of cash flows for such interim periods presented. Additionally, operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year.

In accordance with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. These estimates and judgments are based on historical experience and other assumptions that management believes are reasonable. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. The significant estimates made in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include certain assumptions related to goodwill, intangible assets, long-lived assets, assets held for sale, estimated income taxes and stock-based compensation. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

(b) Reclassifications

In conjunction with our review of the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company reclassified scrap inventory write-offs and inventory lower of cost or market write-downs that were previously presented within Write-down of equipment to the Cost of spare parts and equipment sales line item. The first half of 2017 was impacted by an adjustment of $1.8 million and is reflected as an increase to Cost of spare parts and equipment sales and a decrease to Write-down of equipment. These reclassified items had no effect on the reported results of operations, financial condition or statements of cash flows.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) where the Company is the primary beneficiary in accordance with consolidation guidance. The Company evaluates all entities in which it has an economic interest firstly to determine whether for accounting purposes the entity is a variable interest entity or voting interest entity. If the entity is a VIE the Company consolidates the financial statements of that entity if it is the primary beneficiary of the entities’ activities. If the entity is a voting interest entity the Company consolidates the entity when it has a majority of voting interests. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

(d) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted by the Company

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amendments in this accounting standard update are intended to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices, and improve disclosure requirements. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The principles in the standard should be applied using a five-step model that includes 1) identifying the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognizing revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. The standard also requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In addition, the standard amends the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (for example, sales of real estate) to be consistent with the standard’s guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue). The FASB also subsequently issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on principal versus agent guidance, identifying performance obligations, and immaterial goods and services in a contract.

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments (collectively known as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606) effective on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach applied only to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption. Please see Note 2 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for the required disclosures related to the impact of adopting this standard and a discussion of the Company's updated policies related to revenue recognition and accounting for costs to obtain and fulfill a customer contract.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” that eliminates “Step 2” from the goodwill impairment test. The Company has made the election to early adopt ASU 2017-04 as of January 1, 2018 and the standard was applied on a prospective basis, as required. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements or the related disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting,” that provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The new guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied on a prospective basis, as required. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements or the related disclosures.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” to address stakeholder concerns about the guidance in current GAAP that requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be adjusted for the effect of a change in tax laws or rates with the effect included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. The amendments in this update allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The ASU must be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Act is recognized. The Company has made the election to early adopt ASU 2018-02 as of January 1, 2018 (the period of adoption) and recorded a reclassification of $59 thousand between Other comprehensive income and Retained earnings as of January 1, 2018.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements To Be Adopted by the Company

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The FASB issued ASU 2016-02 to increase transparency and comparability among organizations recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Under ASU 2016-02, lessors will account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing GAAP for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. Unlike current guidance, however, a lease with collectability uncertainties may be classified as a sales-type lease. If collectability of lease payments, plus any amount necessary to satisfy a lessee residual value guarantee, is not probable, lease payments received will be recognized as a deposit liability and the underlying assets will not be derecognized until collectability of the remaining amounts becomes probable. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition. The Company plans to adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2019 and is currently evaluating the potential impact adoption will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.