SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simulations Plus, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting policies for us include revenue recognition, accounting for capitalized computer software development costs, valuation of stock options, and accounting for income taxes.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain numbers in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue primarily from the sale of software licenses and by providing consulting services to the pharmaceutical industry for drug development.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (ASC Topic 606), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, we determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

i.	Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer
ii.	Identification of the performance obligations in the contract
iii.	Determination of the transaction price
iv.	Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract
v.	Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation

Deferred Commissions

Sales commissions earned by our sales force and our commissioned sales representatives are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Sales commissions for new contracts are deferred and then amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of benefit. We determined the period of benefit by taking into consideration our customer contracts, our technology, and other factors. Sales commissions for renewal contracts are deferred and then amortized on a straight-line basis over the related contractual renewal period. Amortization expense is included in sales and marketing expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

We apply the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606 to expense costs as incurred for sales commissions when the period of benefit would have been one year or less. Most of our contracts are of a duration of one year or less, while few, if any of the longer-term contracts have commissions associated with them.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

We have elected the following additional practical expedients in applying Topic 606:

· Commission Expense: We apply the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606 to expense costs as incurred for sales commissions when the period of benefit is one year or less. Most of our contracts are of a duration of one year or less; few, if any of the longer term contracts have commissions associated with them.

· Transaction Price Allocated to Future Performance Obligations: ASC 606 requires that we disclose the aggregate amount of transaction price that is allocated to performance obligations that have not yet been satisfied as of February 28, 2021. ASC 606 provides certain practical expedients that limit the requirement to disclose the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations.   We applied the practical expedient to not disclose the amount of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations when the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

We analyze the age of customer balances, historical bad-debt experience, customer creditworthiness, and changes in customer payment terms when making estimates of the collectability of our trade accounts receivable balances. If we determine that the financial conditions of any of our customers have deteriorated, whether due to customer-specific or general economic issues, an increase in the allowance may be made. Accounts receivable are written off when all collection attempts have failed.

Investments

Investments

We may invest excess cash balances in short-term and long-term marketable debt securities. Investments may consist of certificates of deposit, money market accounts, government-sponsored enterprise securities, corporate bonds and/or commercial paper. We account for our investment in marketable securities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities. This statement requires debt securities to be classified into three categories:

Held-to-maturity—Debt securities that the entity has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at amortized cost. Discounts and premiums to par value of the debt securities are amortized to interest income/expense over the term of the security. No gains or losses on investment securities are realized until they are sold or a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary.

Trading Securities—Debt securities that are bought and held primarily for the purpose of selling in the near term are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.

Available-for-Sale—Debt securities not classified as either securities held-to-maturity or trading securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains or losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

We classify our investments in marketable debt securities based on the facts and circumstances present at the time of purchase of the securities. During the quarter ended February 28, 2021, all of our investments were classified as held-to-maturity.

Capitalized Computer Software Development Costs

Capitalized Computer Software Development Costs

Software development costs are capitalized in accordance with ASC 985-20, “Costs of Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Marketed”. Capitalization of software development costs begins upon the establishment of technological feasibility and is discontinued when the product is available for sale.

The establishment of technological feasibility and the ongoing assessment for recoverability of capitalized software development costs require considerable judgment by management with respect to certain external factors including, but not limited to, technological feasibility, anticipated future gross revenues, estimated economic life, and changes in software and hardware technologies. Capitalized software development costs are comprised primarily of salaries and direct payroll-related costs and the purchase of existing software to be used in our software products.

Amortization of capitalized software development costs is calculated on a product-by-product basis on the straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the products (not to exceed five years). Amortization of software development costs amounted to $365 thousand and $314 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively and $690 thousand and $628 thousand for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively. We expect future amortization expense to vary due to increases in capitalized computer software development costs.

We test capitalized computer software development costs for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as follows:

Equipment	5 years
Computer equipment	3 to 7 years
Furniture and fixtures	5 to 7 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of life of asset or lease

Internal-use Software

Internal-use Software

We have a service contract related to the implementation of internally used software. In accordance with ASC 350-40 “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”, we have capitalized certain internal-use software which are included in long-term assets.

The amortization will be classified as selling, general, and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of operations and maintenance and minor upgrades are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses on disposals are included in the results of operations. No amortization has been expensed for the project as it is still in progress.

Leases

Leases

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases was as follows as of February 28, 2021:

(in thousands)
Right of use assets	$	1,532
Lease Liabilities, Current	$	469
Lease Liabilities, Long-term	$	1,064
Operating lease costs	$	314
Weighted Average remaining lease term		3.0 years
Weighted Average Discount rate		3.79%

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

We perform valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on each acquisition accounted for as a business combination and recognizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair value. Acquired intangible assets include customer relationships, software, trade names, and noncompete agreements. We determine the appropriate useful life by performing an analysis of expected cash flows based on historical experience of the acquired businesses. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method, which approximates the pattern in which the majority of the economic benefits are expected to be consumed.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the acquired net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, instead it is tested for impairment annually or when events or circumstances change that would indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Events or circumstances that could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key personnel, significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends, or significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future results of operations.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is one level below or the same as an operating segment. As of February 28, 2021, we determined that we have four reporting units: Simulations Plus, Cognigen, DILIsym and Lixoft. When testing goodwill for impairment, we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform step one of a two-step annual goodwill impairment test for each reporting unit. we are required to perform step one only if it concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying value. Should this be the case, the first step of the two-step process is to identify whether a potential impairment exists by comparing the estimated fair values of our reporting units with their respective book values, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired, and no additional steps are necessary. If, however, the fair value of the reporting unit is less than book value, then the second step is performed to determine if goodwill is impaired and to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The amount of the impairment loss is the excess of the carrying amount of the goodwill over its implied fair value. The estimate of implied fair value of goodwill is primarily based on an estimate of the discounted cash flows expected to result from that reporting unit, but may require valuations of certain internally generated and unrecognized intangible assets such as our software, technology, patents, and trademarks. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

As of February 28, 2021, the entire balance of goodwill was attributed to three of the our reporting units: Cognigen, DILIsym, and Lixoft. Intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. We did not recognize any impairment charges during the three months and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020.

Reconciliation of Goodwill as of February 28, 2021:

(in thousands)	Cognigen		DILIsym		Lixoft		Total
Balance, August 31, 2020	$	4,789	$	5,598	$	2,534	$	12,921
Addition		–		–		–		–
Impairments		–		–		–		–
Balance, February 28, 2021	$	4,789	$	5,598	$	2,534	$	12,921

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Condensed Balance Sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. The categories, as defined by the standard are as follows:

Level Input:	Input Definition:
Level I	Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.
Level II	Inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level I, that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.
Level III	Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

For certain of our financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued payroll and other expenses, accrued bonuses to officers, and accrued warranty and service costs, the amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities.

The following table summarizes fair value measurements at February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis: 

February 28, 2021:
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	42,385	$	–	$	–	$	42,385
Short-term investments	$	75,367	$	–	$	–		75,367
Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations	$	–	$	–	$	4,974	$	4,974

August 31, 2020:

(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	49,207	$	–	$	–	$	49,207
Short-term investments	$	66,804	$	–	$	–	$	66,804
Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations	$	–	$	–	$	4,731	$	4,731

As of February 28, 2021 and August 31, 2020, we had a liability for contingent consideration related to our acquisition of Lixoft. The fair value measurement of the contingent consideration obligations is determined using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of contingent consideration obligations is based on a discounted cash flow model using a probability-weighted income approach. These fair value measurements represent Level 3 measurements as they are based on significant inputs not observable in the market. Significant judgment is employed in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Accordingly, changes in assumptions could have a material impact on the amount of contingent consideration expense we record in any given period. Changes in the value of the contingent consideration obligations are recorded in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The following is a reconciliation of contingent consideration value:

(in thousands)
Value at August 31, 2020	$	4,731
Contingent consideration payments		–
Change in value of contingent consideration		243
Value at February 28, 2021	$	4,974

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. These costs include salaries, laboratory experiments, and purchased software that was developed by other companies and incorporated into, or used in the development of, our final products.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10, “Income Taxes” which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns.

Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The provision for income taxes represents the tax payable for the period and the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Intellectual property

Intellectual property

The following table summarizes intellectual property as of February 28, 2021:
(in thousands)	Amortization Period	Acquisition Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Royalty Agreement buy out-Enslein Research	Straight line 10 years	$	75	$	67	$	8
Termination/nonassertion agreement-TSRL Inc.	Straight line 10 years		6,000		4,075		1,925
Developed technologies–DILIsym acquisition	Straight line 9 years		2,850		1,188		1,662
Intellectual rights of Entelos Holding Corp.	Straight line 10 years		50		12		38
Developed technologies–Lixoft acquisition	Straight line 16 years		8,010		459		7,551
		$	16,985	$	5,801	$	11,184

The following table summarizes intellectual property as of August 31, 2020:

(in thousands)	Amortization Period	Acquisition Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Royalty Agreement buy out-Enslein Research	Straight line 10 years	$	75	$	64	$	11
Termination/nonassertion agreement-TSRL Inc.	Straight line 10 years		6,000		3,775		2,225
Developed technologies–DILIsym acquisition	Straight line 9 years		2,850		1,029		1,821
Intellectual rights of Entelos Holding Corp.	Straight line 10 years		50		10		40
Developed technologies–Lixoft acquisition	Straight line 16 years		8,010		209		7,801
		$	16,985	$	5,087	$	11,898

Total amortization expense for intellectual property agreements for the three months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 was $357 thousand and $232 thousand, respectively, and total amortization expense for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 was $714 thousand and $465 thousand, respectively.

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets

The following table summarizes the Company’s other intangible assets as of February 28, 2021:
(in thousands)	Amortization Period	Acquisition Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Cognigen
Customer relationships	Straight line 8 years	$	1,100	$	894	$	206
Trade name	None		500		–		500
Covenants not to compete	Straight line 5 years		50		50		–
DILIsym
Customer relationships	Straight line 10 years		1,900		713		1,187
Trade name	None		860		–		860
Covenants not to compete	Straight line 4 years		80		75		5
Lixoft
Customer relationships	Straight line 14 years		2,550		167		2,383
Trade name	None		1,550		–		1,550
Covenants not to compete	Straight line 3 years		60		18		42
		$	8,650	$	1,917	$	6,733

The following table summarizes the Company’s other intangible assets as of August 31, 2020:

(in thousands)	Amortization Period	Acquisition Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value
Cognigen
Customer relationships	Straight line 8 years	$	1,100	$	825	$	275
Trade name	None		500		–		500
Covenants not to compete	Straight line 5 years		50		50		–
DILIsym
Customer relationships	Straight line 10 years		1,900		618		1,282
Trade name	None		860		–		860
Covenants not to compete	Straight line 4 years		80		65		15
Lixoft
Customer relationships	Straight line 14 years		2,550		76		2,474
Trade name	None		1,550		–		1,550
Covenants not to compete	Straight line 3 years		60		8		52
		$	8,650	$	1,642	$	7,008

Total amortization expense for other intangible assets for the three months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 was $138 thousand and $87 thousand, respectively, and total amortization expense for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 was $275 thousand and $174 thousand, respectively. According to policy in addition to normal amortization, these assets are tested for impairment as needed.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

We report earnings per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares available. Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. The components of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 were as follows:

(in thousands)	Three Months ended				Six Months Ended
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Numerator:
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	3,211	$	2,150	$	5,690	$	4,208
Denominator:
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period		20,006		17,638		19,968		17,624
Dilutive effect of stock options		836		678		818		682
Common stock and common stock equivalents used for diluted earnings per share		20,842		18,316		20,786		18,306

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation costs related to stock options are determined in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10, “Compensation-Stock Compensation”, using the modified prospective method. Under this method, compensation cost is calculated based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with FASB ASC 718-10, amortized on a straight-line basis over the options’ vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense was $804 thousand and $417 thousand for the three months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively, and $1.3 million and $784 thousand for the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, respectively. This expense is included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as Selling, general, and administration and Research and development expense.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We account for the impairment and disposition of long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” and ASC 360, “Property and Equipment”. Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for events or changes in circumstances that indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the expected future undiscounted net cash flows generated by the asset. If we determine that the asset may not be recoverable, or if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, we recognize an impairment charge to the extent of the difference between the fair value and the asset's carrying amount. No impairment losses were recorded during the six months ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications, hedging relationships and other transactions to ease the potential accounting and financial reporting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This ASU is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The adoption of the new standard has not had and is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes existing guidance on accounting for leases in "Leases (Topic 840)" and generally requires all leases to be recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We adopted this ASU on September 1, 2019.