Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies (a) Description of Business Veeco Instruments Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Veeco,” or the “Company”) operates in a single segment: the design, development, manufacture, and support of thin film process equipment primarily sold to make electronic devices including light emitting diodes (“LED”s), power electronics, wireless devices, hard disk drives, and semiconductors. (b) Basis of Presentation The accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company reports interim quarters on a 13-week basis ending on the last Sunday of each period, which is determined at the start of each year. The Company’s fourth quarter always ends on the last day of the calendar year, December 31. During 2014 the interim quarters ended on March 30, June 29 and September 28, and during 2013 the interim quarters ended on March 31, June 30 and September 29. The Company reports these interim quarters as March 31, June 30 and September 30 in its interim consolidated financial statements. (c) Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, these estimates may ultimately differ from actual results. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: (i) the best estimate of selling price for the Company’s products and services; (ii) allowances for doubtful accounts and inventory obsolescence; (iii) the useful lives and expected future cash flows of property, plant, and equipment and identifiable intangible assets; (iv) the fair value of the Company’s reporting units and related goodwill; (v) the fair value, less cost to sell, of assets held for sale; (vi) investment valuations and the valuation of derivatives, deferred tax assets, and assets acquired in business combinations; (vii) the recoverability of long lived assets; (viii) liabilities for product warranty and legal contingencies; (ix) share-based compensation; and (x) income tax uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (d) Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Companies acquired during each reporting period are reflected in the results of the Company effective from their respective dates of acquisition through the end of the reporting period. (e) Foreign Currencies Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries that operate using local functional currencies are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using monthly average exchange rates. Adjustments arising from the translation of the foreign currency financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries into U.S. dollars, including intercompany transactions of a long-term nature, are reported as currency translation adjustments in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in “Other, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. (f) Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists with a customer; delivery of the specified products has occurred or services have been rendered; prices are contractually fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recorded including shipping and handling costs and excluding applicable taxes related to sales. A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from contractual arrangements with customers that have multiple elements, such as systems, upgrades, components, spare parts, maintenance, and service plans. For sales arrangements that contain multiple elements, the arrangement is split into separate units of accounting if the individually delivered elements have value to the customer on a standalone basis. The Company also evaluates whether multiple transactions with the same customer or related parties should be considered part of a multiple element arrangement, based on an assessment of whether the contracts or agreements are negotiated or executed within a short time frame of each other or if there are indicators that the contracts are negotiated in contemplation of one another. When there are separate units of accounting, the Company allocates revenue to each element based on the following selling price hierarchy: vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if available; third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available; or the best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. The Company uses BESP for the majority of the elements in its arrangements. The Company considers many facts when evaluating each of its sales arrangements to determine the timing of revenue recognition including its contractual obligations, the customer’s creditworthiness, and the nature of the customer’s post-delivery acceptance provisions. The Company’s system sales arrangements, including certain upgrades, generally include field acceptance provisions that may include functional or mechanical test procedures. For the majority of the arrangements, a customer source inspection of the system is performed in the Company’s facility or test data is sent to the customer documenting that the system is functioning to the agreed upon specifications prior to delivery. Historically, such source inspection or test data replicates the field acceptance provisions that are performed at the customer’s site prior to final acceptance of the system. As such, the Company objectively demonstrates that the criteria specified in the contractual acceptance provisions are achieved prior to delivery and, therefore, revenue is recognized upon system delivery since there is no substantive contingency remaining related to the acceptance provisions at that date, subject to the retention amount constraint described below. For new products, new applications of existing products or for products with substantive customer acceptance provisions where the Company cannot objectively demonstrate that the criteria specified in the contractual acceptance provisions have been achieved prior to delivery, revenue and the associated costs are deferred and fully recognized upon the receipt of final customer acceptance, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. The Company’s system sales arrangements, including certain upgrades, generally do not contain provisions for right of return, forfeiture, refund, or other purchase price concession. In the rare instances where such provisions are included, all revenue is deferred until such rights expire. The sales arrangements generally include installation. The installation process is not deemed essential to the functionality of the equipment since it is not complex; that is, it does not require significant changes to the features or capabilities of the equipment or involve building elaborate interfaces or connections subsequent to factory acceptance. The Company has a demonstrated history of consistently completing installations in a timely manner and can reliably estimate the costs of such activities. Most customers engage the Company to perform the installation services, although there are other third-party providers with sufficient knowledge who could complete these services. Based on these factors, installation is deemed to be inconsequential or perfunctory relative to the system sale as a whole, and as a result, installation service is not considered a separate element of the arrangement. As such, the Company accrues the cost of the installation at the time of revenue recognition for the system. In many cases the Company’s products are sold with a billing retention, typically 10% of the sales price (the “retention amount”), which is typically payable by the customer when field acceptance provisions are completed. The amount of revenue recognized upon delivery of a system or upgrade, if any, is limited to the lower of i) the amount billed that is not contingent upon acceptance provisions or ii) the value of the arrangement consideration allocated to the delivered elements, if such sale is part of a multiple-element arrangement. The Company’s contractual terms with customers in Japan generally specify that title and risk and rewards of ownership transfer upon customer acceptance. As a result, for customers in Japan, revenue is recognized upon the receipt of written customer acceptance. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company began using a distributor for almost all of its product and service sales to customers in Japan. Title passes to the distributor upon shipment, however, due to customary local business practices, the risk and rewards of ownership of the system transfers to the end-customers upon their acceptance. As such, the Company recognizes revenue upon receipt of written acceptance from the end customer. The Company recognizes revenue related to maintenance and service contracts ratably over the applicable contract term. The Company recognizes revenue from the sales of components, spare parts, and specified service engagements at the time of delivery in accordance with the terms of the applicable sales arrangement. Incremental direct costs incurred related to the acquisition of a customer contract, such as sales commissions, are expensed as incurred, even if the related revenue is deferred in accordance with the above policy. (g) Warranty Costs The Company typically provides standard warranty coverage on its systems for one year from the date of final acceptance by providing labor and parts necessary to repair the systems during the warranty period. The Company accounts for the estimated warranty cost when revenue is recognized on the related system. Warranty cost is included in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated warranty cost is based on the Company’s historical experience with its systems and regional labor costs. The Company calculates the average service hours by region and parts expense per system utilizing actual service records to determine the estimated warranty charge. The Company updates its warranty estimates on a semiannual basis when the actual product performance and/or field expense differs from original estimates. (h) Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs are expenses incurred to move, package and prepare the Company’s products for shipment and to move the products to a customer’s designated location. These costs are generally comprised of payments to third-party shippers. Shipping and handling costs are included in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. (i) Research and Development Costs Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include charges for the development of new technology and the transition of existing technology into new products or services. (j) Advertising Expense The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred and totaled $0.6 million, $0.5 million, and $0.8 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. (k) Accounting for Share-Based Compensation Share-based awards exchanged for employee services are accounted for under the fair value method. Accordingly, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The expense for awards expected to vest is recognized over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the award). Awards expected to vest are estimated based on a combination of historical experience and future expectations. The Company has elected to treat awards with only service conditions and with graded vesting as one award. Consequently, the total compensation expense is recognized straight-line over the entire vesting period, so long as the compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant date fair value of the award that is vested at that date. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to compute the estimated fair value of option awards. The Black-Scholes model includes assumptions regarding dividend yields, expected volatility, expected option term, and risk-free interest rates. See Note 16, “Stock Plans,” for additional information. In addition to stock options, restricted share awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with time-based vesting, the Company issues performance share units and awards (“PSUs” and “PSAs”). Compensation cost for PSUs and PSAs is recognized over the requisite service period based on the timing and expected level of achievement of the performance targets. A change in the assessment of the probability of a performance condition being met is recognized in the period of the change in estimate. At the conclusion of the performance period, the applicable number of shares of RSAs, RSUs, or unrestricted shares granted may vary based on the level of achievement of the performance targets. (l) Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for 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 and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 from a change in tax rate is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. See Note 18, “Income Taxes,” for additional information. (m) Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, derivative financial instruments used in hedging activities, and accounts receivable. The Company invests in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution or commercial issuer. The Company has not experienced any material credit losses on its investments. The Company maintains an allowance reserve for potentially uncollectible accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company evaluates its allowance for doubtful accounts based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where specific invoices are deemed to be uncollectible, the Company provides a specific allowance for bad debt against the amount due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably expected to be collected. The Company also provides allowances based on its write-off history. The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $0.7 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. To further mitigate the Company’s exposure to uncollectable accounts, the Company may request certain customers provide a negotiable irrevocable letter of credit drawn on a reputable financial institution. These irrevocable letters of credit are typically issued to mature between zero and 90 days from the date the documentation requirements are met, typically when a system ships or upon receipt of final acceptance from the customer. The Company, at its discretion, may monetize these letters of credit on a non-recourse basis after they become negotiable, but before maturity. The fees associates with the monetization are included in “Selling, general, and administrative” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and were insignificant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. (n) Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses reflected in the consolidated financial statements approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of debt for footnote disclosure purposes, including current maturities, is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the estimated current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of securities. (o) Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments All financial instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are considered cash equivalents. Such items may include liquid money market accounts, U.S. treasuries, government agency securities, and corporate debt. Investments that are classified as cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. A portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents is held by its subsidiaries throughout the world, frequently in each subsidiary’s respective functional currency, which may not be the U.S. dollar. Approximately 81% and 71% of cash and cash equivalents were maintained outside the United States at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Marketable securities are generally classified as available-for-sale for use in current operations, if required, and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, presented as a separate component of stockholders’ equity under the caption “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” These securities can include U.S. treasuries, government agency securities, corporate debt, and commercial paper, all with maturities of greater than three months when purchased. All realized gains and losses and unrealized losses resulting from declines in fair value that are other than temporary are included in “Other, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The specific identification method is used to determine the realized gains and losses on investments. (p) Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company reviews and sets standard costs on a periodic basis at current manufacturing costs in order to approximate actual costs. The Company assesses the valuation of all inventories, including manufacturing raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and spare parts, each quarter. Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of management’s estimated usage requirement is written down to its estimated market value if less than cost. Estimates of market value include, but are not limited to, management’s forecasts related to the Company’s future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, technological and/or market obsolescence, general market conditions, possible alternative uses, and ultimate realization of excess inventory. If future customer demand or market conditions are less favorable than the Company’s projections, additional inventory write-downs may be required and would be reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made. Inventory acquired as part of a business combination is recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition. See Note 5, “Business Combinations,” for additional information. (q) Business Combinations The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase consideration of the Company’s acquisitions to the tangible assets, intangible assets, including in-process research and development (“IPR&D”), if any, and liabilities assumed, based on estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. IPR&D is initially capitalized at fair value as an intangible asset with an indefinite life and assessed for impairment thereafter. When a project underlying reported IPR&D is completed, the corresponding amount of IPR&D is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred in “Selling, General, and Administrative” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 5, “Business Combinations,” for additional information. (r) Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are measured at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. Intangible assets related to IPR&D projects are considered to be indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated R&D efforts. If and when development is complete, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that point in time. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized into results of operations but instead are evaluated for impairment. The Company performs the evaluation in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, and, if so, the Company then applies the two-step impairment test. The two-step impairment test first compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not impaired, and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company determines the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company records an impairment loss equal to the difference. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units based on income and/or market approaches. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenues and expenses, working capital requirements, residual growth rates, discount rates, and future economic and market conditions. The Company considers historical data, current internal estimates, and market growth trends when developing financial projections. Market participant assumption estimates consider the information being used internally for business planning purposes, however, actual future results may differ from those estimates. Changes in judgments on any of these factors could materially affect the estimated value of the reporting unit. (s) Long-Lived Assets and Cost Method Investment Definite-lived intangible assets consist of purchased technology, customer-related intangible assets, patents, trademarks, covenants not-to-compete, and software licenses, and are initially recorded at fair value. Definite-lived intangibles are amortized over their estimated useful lives for periods up to 17 years, in a method reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed, or straight-lined if such pattern cannot be reliably determined. Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is calculated based on the estimated useful lives of the assets by using the straight-line method. Amortization of leasehold improvements is recognized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Long-lived assets and cost method investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, a recoverability test is performed utilizing undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset or asset group compared to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models or, when available, quoted market values and third-party appraisals. (t) Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU require that an entity 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. The standard outlines a five-step model to be used to make the revenue recognition determination and requires new financial statement disclosures. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and allows entities to choose among different transition alternatives. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements and related financial statement disclosures, and has not yet determined which method of adoption will be selected. The Company has evaluated other pronouncements recently issued but not yet adopted and does not believe the adoption of these pronouncements will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Note 1 — Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Description of Business

Veeco Instruments Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Veeco,” or the “Company”) operates in a single segment: the design, development, manufacture, and support of thin film process equipment primarily sold to make electronic devices including light emitting diodes (“LED”s), power electronics, wireless devices, hard disk drives, and semiconductors.

(b) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company reports interim quarters on a 13-week basis ending on the last Sunday of each period, which is determined at the start of each year. The Company’s fourth quarter always ends on the last day of the calendar year, December 31. During 2014 the interim quarters ended on March 30, June 29 and September 28, and during 2013 the interim quarters ended on March 31, June 30 and September 29. The Company reports these interim quarters as March 31, June 30 and September 30 in its interim consolidated financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, these estimates may ultimately differ from actual results. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: (i) the best estimate of selling price for the Company’s products and services; (ii) allowances for doubtful accounts and inventory obsolescence; (iii) the useful lives and expected future cash flows of property, plant, and equipment and identifiable intangible assets; (iv) the fair value of the Company’s reporting units and related goodwill; (v) the fair value, less cost to sell, of assets held for sale; (vi) investment valuations and the valuation of derivatives, deferred tax assets, and assets acquired in business combinations; (vii) the recoverability of long lived assets; (viii) liabilities for product warranty and legal contingencies; (ix) share-based compensation; and (x) income tax uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(d) Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Companies acquired during each reporting period are reflected in the results of the Company effective from their respective dates of acquisition through the end of the reporting period.

(e) Foreign Currencies

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries that operate using local functional currencies are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Results of operations are translated using monthly average exchange rates. Adjustments arising from the translation of the foreign currency financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries into U.S. dollars, including intercompany transactions of a long-term nature, are reported as currency translation adjustments in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in “Other, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(f) Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists with a customer; delivery of the specified products has occurred or services have been rendered; prices are contractually fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recorded including shipping and handling costs and excluding applicable taxes related to sales. A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from contractual arrangements with customers that have multiple elements, such as systems, upgrades, components, spare parts, maintenance, and service plans. For sales arrangements that contain multiple elements, the arrangement is split into separate units of accounting if the individually delivered elements have value to the customer on a standalone basis. The Company also evaluates whether multiple transactions with the same customer or related parties should be considered part of a multiple element arrangement, based on an assessment of whether the contracts or agreements are negotiated or executed within a short time frame of each other or if there are indicators that the contracts are negotiated in contemplation of one another. When there are separate units of accounting, the Company allocates revenue to each element based on the following selling price hierarchy: vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if available; third party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available; or the best estimate of selling price (“BESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. The Company uses BESP for the majority of the elements in its arrangements.

The Company considers many facts when evaluating each of its sales arrangements to determine the timing of revenue recognition including its contractual obligations, the customer’s creditworthiness, and the nature of the customer’s post-delivery acceptance provisions. The Company’s system sales arrangements, including certain upgrades, generally include field acceptance provisions that may include functional or mechanical test procedures. For the majority of the arrangements, a customer source inspection of the system is performed in the Company’s facility or test data is sent to the customer documenting that the system is functioning to the agreed upon specifications prior to delivery. Historically, such source inspection or test data replicates the field acceptance provisions that are performed at the customer’s site prior to final acceptance of the system. As such, the Company objectively demonstrates that the criteria specified in the contractual acceptance provisions are achieved prior to delivery and, therefore, revenue is recognized upon system delivery since there is no substantive contingency remaining related to the acceptance provisions at that date, subject to the retention amount constraint described below. For new products, new applications of existing products or for products with substantive customer acceptance provisions where the Company cannot objectively demonstrate that the criteria specified in the contractual acceptance provisions have been achieved prior to delivery, revenue and the associated costs are deferred and fully recognized upon the receipt of final customer acceptance, assuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

The Company’s system sales arrangements, including certain upgrades, generally do not contain provisions for right of return, forfeiture, refund, or other purchase price concession. In the rare instances where such provisions are included, all revenue is deferred until such rights expire. The sales arrangements generally include installation. The installation process is not deemed essential to the functionality of the equipment since it is not complex; that is, it does not require significant changes to the features or capabilities of the equipment or involve building elaborate interfaces or connections subsequent to factory acceptance. The Company has a demonstrated history of consistently completing installations in a timely manner and can reliably estimate the costs of such activities. Most customers engage the Company to perform the installation services, although there are other third-party providers with sufficient knowledge who could complete these services. Based on these factors, installation is deemed to be inconsequential or perfunctory relative to the system sale as a whole, and as a result, installation service is not considered a separate element of the arrangement. As such, the Company accrues the cost of the installation at the time of revenue recognition for the system.

In many cases the Company’s products are sold with a billing retention, typically 10% of the sales price (the “retention amount”), which is typically payable by the customer when field acceptance provisions are completed. The amount of revenue recognized upon delivery of a system or upgrade, if any, is limited to the lower of i) the amount billed that is not contingent upon acceptance provisions or ii) the value of the arrangement consideration allocated to the delivered elements, if such sale is part of a multiple-element arrangement.

The Company’s contractual terms with customers in Japan generally specify that title and risk and rewards of ownership transfer upon customer acceptance. As a result, for customers in Japan, revenue is recognized upon the receipt of written customer acceptance. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company began using a distributor for almost all of its product and service sales to customers in Japan. Title passes to the distributor upon shipment, however, due to customary local business practices, the risk and rewards of ownership of the system transfers to the end-customers upon their acceptance. As such, the Company recognizes revenue upon receipt of written acceptance from the end customer.

The Company recognizes revenue related to maintenance and service contracts ratably over the applicable contract term. The Company recognizes revenue from the sales of components, spare parts, and specified service engagements at the time of delivery in accordance with the terms of the applicable sales arrangement.

Incremental direct costs incurred related to the acquisition of a customer contract, such as sales commissions, are expensed as incurred, even if the related revenue is deferred in accordance with the above policy.

(g) Warranty Costs

The Company typically provides standard warranty coverage on its systems for one year from the date of final acceptance by providing labor and parts necessary to repair the systems during the warranty period. The Company accounts for the estimated warranty cost when revenue is recognized on the related system. Warranty cost is included in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated warranty cost is based on the Company’s historical experience with its systems and regional labor costs. The Company calculates the average service hours by region and parts expense per system utilizing actual service records to determine the estimated warranty charge. The Company updates its warranty estimates on a semiannual basis when the actual product performance and/or field expense differs from original estimates.

(h) Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are expenses incurred to move, package and prepare the Company’s products for shipment and to move the products to a customer’s designated location. These costs are generally comprised of payments to third-party shippers. Shipping and handling costs are included in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(i) Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and include charges for the development of new technology and the transition of existing technology into new products or services.

(j) Advertising Expense

The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred and totaled $0.6 million, $0.5 million, and $0.8 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(k) Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

Share-based awards exchanged for employee services are accounted for under the fair value method. Accordingly, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The expense for awards expected to vest is recognized over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the award). Awards expected to vest are estimated based on a combination of historical experience and future expectations.

The Company has elected to treat awards with only service conditions and with graded vesting as one award. Consequently, the total compensation expense is recognized straight-line over the entire vesting period, so long as the compensation cost recognized at any date at least equals the portion of the grant date fair value of the award that is vested at that date.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to compute the estimated fair value of option awards. The Black-Scholes model includes assumptions regarding dividend yields, expected volatility, expected option term, and risk-free interest rates. See Note 16, “Stock Plans,” for additional information.

In addition to stock options, restricted share awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with time-based vesting, the Company issues performance share units and awards (“PSUs” and “PSAs”). Compensation cost for PSUs and PSAs is recognized over the requisite service period based on the timing and expected level of achievement of the performance targets. A change in the assessment of the probability of a performance condition being met is recognized in the period of the change in estimate. At the conclusion of the performance period, the applicable number of shares of RSAs, RSUs, or unrestricted shares granted may vary based on the level of achievement of the performance targets.

(l) Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for 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 and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 from a change in tax rate is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. See Note 18, “Income Taxes,” for additional information.

(m) Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investments, derivative financial instruments used in hedging activities, and accounts receivable. The Company invests in a variety of financial instruments and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution or commercial issuer. The Company has not experienced any material credit losses on its investments.

The Company maintains an allowance reserve for potentially uncollectible accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company evaluates its allowance for doubtful accounts based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where specific invoices are deemed to be uncollectible, the Company provides a specific allowance for bad debt against the amount due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably expected to be collected. The Company also provides allowances based on its write-off history. The allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $0.7 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

To further mitigate the Company’s exposure to uncollectable accounts, the Company may request certain customers provide a negotiable irrevocable letter of credit drawn on a reputable financial institution. These irrevocable letters of credit are typically issued to mature between zero and 90 days from the date the documentation requirements are met, typically when a system ships or upon receipt of final acceptance from the customer. The Company, at its discretion, may monetize these letters of credit on a non-recourse basis after they become negotiable, but before maturity. The fees associates with the monetization are included in “Selling, general, and administrative” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and were insignificant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

(n) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses reflected in the consolidated financial statements approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of debt for footnote disclosure purposes, including current maturities, is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on the estimated current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of securities.

(o) Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments

All financial instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are considered cash equivalents. Such items may include liquid money market accounts, U.S. treasuries, government agency securities, and corporate debt. Investments that are classified as cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

A portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents is held by its subsidiaries throughout the world, frequently in each subsidiary’s respective functional currency, which may not be the U.S. dollar. Approximately 81% and 71% of cash and cash equivalents were maintained outside the United States at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Marketable securities are generally classified as available-for-sale for use in current operations, if required, and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, presented as a separate component of stockholders’ equity under the caption “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” These securities can include U.S. treasuries, government agency securities, corporate debt, and commercial paper, all with maturities of greater than three months when purchased. All realized gains and losses and unrealized losses resulting from declines in fair value that are other than temporary are included in “Other, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The specific identification method is used to determine the realized gains and losses on investments.

(p) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out basis. The Company reviews and sets standard costs on a periodic basis at current manufacturing costs in order to approximate actual costs. The Company assesses the valuation of all inventories, including manufacturing raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods, and spare parts, each quarter. Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of management’s estimated usage requirement is written down to its estimated market value if less than cost. Estimates of market value include, but are not limited to, management’s forecasts related to the Company’s future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, technological and/or market obsolescence, general market conditions, possible alternative uses, and ultimate realization of excess inventory. If future customer demand or market conditions are less favorable than the Company’s projections, additional inventory write-downs may be required and would be reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made. Inventory acquired as part of a business combination is recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition. See Note 5, “Business Combinations,” for additional information.

(q) Business Combinations

The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase consideration of the Company’s acquisitions to the tangible assets, intangible assets, including in-process research and development (“IPR&D”), if any, and liabilities assumed, based on estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. IPR&D is initially capitalized at fair value as an intangible asset with an indefinite life and assessed for impairment thereafter. When a project underlying reported IPR&D is completed, the corresponding amount of IPR&D is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred in “Selling, General, and Administrative” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 5, “Business Combinations,” for additional information.

(r) Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangibles

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are measured at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. Intangible assets related to IPR&D projects are considered to be indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the associated R&D efforts. If and when development is complete, the associated assets would be deemed finite-lived and would then be amortized based on their respective estimated useful lives at that point in time. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized into results of operations but instead are evaluated for impairment. The Company performs the evaluation in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.

The Company first performs a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, and, if so, the Company then applies the two-step impairment test. The two-step impairment test first compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not impaired, and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company determines the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company records an impairment loss equal to the difference.

The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units based on income and/or market approaches. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenues and expenses, working capital requirements, residual growth rates, discount rates, and future economic and market conditions. The Company considers historical data, current internal estimates, and market growth trends when developing financial projections. Market participant assumption estimates consider the information being used internally for business planning purposes, however, actual future results may differ from those estimates. Changes in judgments on any of these factors could materially affect the estimated value of the reporting unit.

(s) Long-Lived Assets and Cost Method Investment

Definite-lived intangible assets consist of purchased technology, customer-related intangible assets, patents, trademarks, covenants not-to-compete, and software licenses, and are initially recorded at fair value. Definite-lived intangibles are amortized over their estimated useful lives for periods up to 17 years, in a method reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed, or straight-lined if such pattern cannot be reliably determined.

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is calculated based on the estimated useful lives of the assets by using the straight-line method. Amortization of leasehold improvements is recognized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

Long-lived assets and cost method investments are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, a recoverability test is performed utilizing undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset or asset group compared to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models or, when available, quoted market values and third-party appraisals.

(t) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU require that an entity 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. The standard outlines a five-step model to be used to make the revenue recognition determination and requires new financial statement disclosures. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and allows entities to choose among different transition alternatives. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting the standard on its consolidated financial statements and related financial statement disclosures, and has not yet determined which method of adoption will be selected.

The Company has evaluated other pronouncements recently issued but not yet adopted and does not believe the adoption of these pronouncements will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.