Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of Estimates, Policy

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Real Estate Assets, Policy

Real Estate Assets

Real estate assets are stated at cost, as adjusted for any impairment, less accumulated depreciation. Amounts capitalized to real estate assets consist of the cost of acquisition or construction, any tenant improvements or major improvements, and betterments that extend the useful life of the related asset. All repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Additionally, Piedmont capitalizes interest while the development of a real estate asset is in progress; however, no such interest was capitalized during the three years ended December 31, 2012.

Piedmont’s real estate assets are depreciated or amortized using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:

Buildings	40 years
Building improvements	5-25 years
Land improvements	20-25 years
Tenant improvements	Shorter of economic life or lease term
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	3-5 years
Intangible lease assets	Lease term

Piedmont continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of the real estate and related intangible assets of both operating properties and properties under construction in which Piedmont has an ownership interest, either directly or through investments in joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present for wholly-owned properties, management assesses whether the respective carrying values will be recovered from the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition for assets held for use, or with the estimated fair values, less costs to sell, for assets held for sale. Piedmont generally considers assets to be held for sale at the point at which a sale contract is executed and earnest money has become non-refundable. In the event that the expected undiscounted future cash flows for assets held for use or the estimated fair value, less costs to sell, for assets held for sale do not exceed the respective asset carrying value, management adjusts such assets to the respective estimated fair values and recognizes an impairment loss. Estimated fair values are calculated based on the following information, depending upon availability, in order of preference: (i) recently quoted market prices, (ii) market prices for comparable properties, or (iii) the present value of undiscounted cash flows, including estimated sales value (which is based on key assumptions such as estimated market rents, lease-up periods, estimated lease terms, and capitalization and discount rates).

For properties owned as part of an investment in unconsolidated joint ventures, Piedmont assesses the fair value of its investment as compared to its carrying amount. If Piedmont determines that the carrying value is greater than the fair value at any measurement date, Piedmont must also determine if such a difference is temporary in nature. Value fluctuations which are “other than temporary” in nature are then recorded to adjust the carrying value to the fair value amount.

Business Combinations Policy

Allocation of Purchase Price of Acquired Assets

Upon the acquisition of real properties, Piedmont allocates the purchase price of properties to acquired tangible assets, consisting of land and building, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases and the value of in-place leases, based in each case on their estimated fair values.

The fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land and building) are determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land and building based on management’s determination of the relative fair value of these assets. Management determines the as-if-vacant fair value of a property using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers. Factors considered by management in performing these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases, including leasing commissions and other related costs. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses during the expected lease-up periods based on current market conditions.

The fair values of above-market and below-market in-place leases are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of market rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining terms of the leases, taking into consideration the probability of renewals for any below-market leases. The capitalized above-market and below-market lease values are recorded as intangible lease assets or liabilities and amortized as an adjustment to rental revenues over the remaining terms of the respective leases.

The fair values of in-place leases include direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant, opportunity costs associated with lost rentals that are avoided by acquiring an in-place lease, and tenant relationships. Direct costs associated with obtaining a new tenant include commissions, tenant improvements, and other direct costs and are estimated based on management’s consideration of current market costs to execute a similar lease. These direct lease origination costs are included in deferred lease costs in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The value of opportunity costs is calculated using the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases over a market absorption period for a similar lease. These lease intangibles are included in intangible lease assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases.

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, Policy

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

Although Piedmont is the majority equity participant in certain unconsolidated joint ventures, Piedmont does not have a controlling voting interest in any of the unconsolidated joint ventures. Piedmont does, however, exercise significant influence over those joint ventures. Accordingly, Piedmont’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are recorded using the equity method of accounting, whereby original investments are recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for contributions, distributions, and net income/(loss) attributable to such joint ventures. Pursuant to the terms of the unconsolidated joint venture agreements, all income and distributions are allocated to the joint venture partners in accordance with their respective ownership interests. Distributions of net cash from operations are generally distributed to the joint venture partners on a quarterly basis, and are classified as cash inflows from operating activities, as they are presumed to be returns on Piedmont’s investment in the respective joint venture. Proceeds received as the result of a sale of an asset from an unconsolidated joint venture are considered a return of Piedmont’s investment in the joint venture and classified as cash inflows from investing activities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Piedmont considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments. Short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, and consist of investments in money market accounts.

Tenant Receivables Net, Policy

Tenant Receivables, net

Tenant receivables are comprised of rental and reimbursement billings due from tenants and the cumulative amount of future adjustments necessary to present rental income on a straight-line basis. Tenant receivables are recorded at the original amount earned, less an allowance for any doubtful accounts, which approximates fair value. Management assesses the collectibility of tenant receivables on an ongoing basis and provides for allowances as such balances, or portions thereof, become uncollectible. Piedmont adjusted the allowance for doubtful accounts by recording (recoveries of)/provisions for bad debts of approximately $0, ($0.4) million, and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Due from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures, Policy

Due from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

Due from unconsolidated joint ventures represents operating distributions due to Piedmont from its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures which have been declared but not received as of period end.

Restricted Cash and Escrows, Policy

Restricted Cash and Escrows

Restricted cash and escrows principally relate to the following types of items:

• escrow accounts held by lenders to pay future real estate taxes, insurance, debt service, and tenant improvements;

• net sales proceeds from property sales held by qualified intermediary for potential Section 1031 exchange;

• earnest money paid in connection with future acquisitions; and

• security and utility deposits paid by tenants per the terms of their respective leases.

Restricted cash and escrows are generally reclassified to other asset or liability accounts upon being used to purchase assets, satisfy obligations, or settle tenant obligations.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, Policy

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets are primarily comprised of the following items:

• prepaid property taxes, insurance and operating costs;

• receivables which are unrelated to tenants, for example, insurance proceeds receivable from insurers related to casualty losses; and

• equipment, furniture and fixtures, and tenant improvements for Piedmont’s corporate office space, net of accumulated depreciation.

Prepaid expenses and other assets will be expensed as utilized or reclassified to other asset or equity accounts upon being put into service in future periods. Balances without a future economic benefit are expensed as they are identified.

Goodwill, Policy

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts specifically assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in purchase accounting for business combinations. Piedmont tests the carrying value of its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Such interim circumstances may include, but are not limited to, significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the general business climate, adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, the loss of key personnel, or persistent declines in an entity’s stock price below carrying value of the entity. In accordance with GAAP, Piedmont has the option, should it choose to do so, to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, Piedmont concludes that the estimated fair value is greater than the carrying amount, then performing a further two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if Piedmont chooses to forgo the availability of the qualitative analysis, the test prescribed by authoritative accounting guidance is a two-step test. The first step involves comparing the estimated fair value of the entity to its carrying value, including goodwill. Fair value is determined by adjusting the trading price of the stock for various factors including, but not limited to: (i) liquidity or transferability considerations, (ii) control premiums, and/or (iii) fully distributed premiums, if necessary, multiplied by the common shares outstanding. If such calculated fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further procedures or analysis is required. However, if the carrying value exceeds the calculated fair value, goodwill is potentially impaired and step two of the analysis would be required. Step two of the test involves calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the entity from the entity’s fair value calculated in step one of the test. If the implied value of the goodwill (the remainder left after deducting the fair values of the entity from its calculated overall fair value in step one of the test) is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized.

Interest Rate Derivatives, Policy

Interest Rate Derivatives

Piedmont periodically enters into interest rate derivative agreements to hedge its exposure to changing interest rates. As required by GAAP, Piedmont records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Piedmont reassesses the effectiveness of its derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on a regular basis to determine if they continue to be highly effective and also to determine if the forecasted transactions remain highly probable. Currently, Piedmont does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

The changes in fair value of interest rate swap agreements designated as effective cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transactions occur. Changes in the fair values of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, if any, would be recorded as gain/(loss) on interest rate swap in the consolidated statements of income. The fair value of the interest rate derivative agreement is recorded as interest rate derivative asset or as interest rate derivative liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received or paid under interest rate derivative agreements are recorded as interest expense in the consolidated income statements as incurred. All of Piedmont's interest rate derivative agreements as of December 31, 2012 are designated as cash flow hedges.

Deferred Costs, Policy

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs are comprised of costs incurred in connection with securing financing from third-party lenders and are capitalized and amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis (which approximates the effective interest rate method) over the terms of the related financing arrangements. Piedmont recognized amortization of deferred financing costs for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 of approximately $2.6 million, $3.2 million, and $2.6 million, respectively, which is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Deferred Lease Costs

Deferred lease costs are comprised of costs and incentives incurred to acquire operating leases, including intangible lease origination costs and direct payroll costs incurred related to negotiating and executing specific leases, and are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related underlying leases. No such internal leasing costs were capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, or 2010. Amortization of deferred leasing costs is reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as follows.

• Piedmont amortized deferred lease costs of approximately $29.8 million, $30.0 million, and $26.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, of which approximately $1.6 million, $1.3 million, and $0.7 million are related to the amortization of deferred common area maintenance costs which are recorded as property operating costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The remaining amortization of deferred lease costs are recorded as amortization expense.

• Piedmont recognized amortization of lease incentives classified as deferred lease costs of $2.5 million, $3.7 million, and $3.4 million, which was recorded as an adjustment to rental income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Upon receiving notification of a tenant’s intention to terminate a lease, unamortized deferred lease costs are adjusted to net realizable value through the consolidated statement of income.

Line of Credit and Notes Payable, Policy

Line of Credit and Notes Payable

Certain mortgage notes included in line of credit and notes payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets were assumed upon the acquisition of real properties. When debt is assumed, Piedmont adjusts the loan to fair value with a corresponding adjustment to building. The fair value adjustment is amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. Amortization of such fair value adjustments was approximately $0, $1.4 million, and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Deferred Income, Policy

Deferred income

Deferred income is primarily comprised of the following items:

• prepaid rent from tenants; and

• tenant reimbursements related to operating expense or property tax expenses which may be due to tenants as part of an annual operating expense reconciliation.

Deferred income related to prepaid rents from tenants will be recognized as income in the period it is earned. Amounts related to operating expense reconciliations or property tax expense are relieved when the tenant's reconciliation is completed in accordance with the underlying lease, and payment is issued to the tenant.

Stockholders' Equity, Policy

Shares-in-trust

To date, Piedmont has not issued any shares-in-trust; however, under Piedmont’s charter, it has authority to issue a total of 150,000,000 shares-in-trust, which would be issued only in the event that there is a purported transfer of, or other change in or affecting the ownership of, Piedmont’s capital stock that would result in a violation of the ownership limits that are included in Piedmont’s charter to protect its REIT status.

Preferred Stock

To date, Piedmont has not issued any shares of preferred stock; however, Piedmont is authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of one or more classes or series of preferred stock. Piedmont’s board of directors may determine the relative rights, preferences, and privileges of any class or series of preferred stock that may be issued, and can be more beneficial than the rights, preferences, and privileges attributable to Piedmont’s common stock.

Common Stock

Under Piedmont’s charter, it has authority to issue a total of 750,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote and participates in distributions equally. The board of directors of Piedmont authorized the repurchase and retirement of up to $300 million of Piedmont's common stock through November 2013. Piedmont may repurchase the shares from time to time, in accordance with applicable securities laws, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases will depend upon market conditions and other factors, and repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time in Piedmont's discretion, without prior notice. As of December 31, 2012, approximately $208.0 million is available for share repurchases through November 2013.

Dividends

As a REIT, Piedmont is required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to make distributions to stockholders each taxable year equal to at least 90% of its taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains attributable to stockholders (“REIT taxable income”). Piedmont sponsors a dividend reinvestment plan ("DRP") pursuant to which common stockholders may elect (if their brokerage agreements allow) to reinvest an amount equal to the dividends declared on their common shares into additional shares of Piedmont’s common stock in lieu of receiving cash dividends. Under the DRP, Piedmont has the option to either issue shares purchased in the open market or issue shares directly from Piedmont's authorized but unissued shares, in both cases at a 2% discount for the stockholder. Such election takes place at the settlement of each quarterly dividend in which there are participants in the DRP, and may change from quarter to quarter based on management's judgment of the best use of proceeds for Piedmont.

Noncontrolling Interest, Policy

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest represents the equity interests of consolidated entities that are not owned by Piedmont. Noncontrolling interest is adjusted for contributions, distributions, and earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest partners of the consolidated joint ventures. All earnings and distributions are allocated to the partners of the consolidated joint ventures in accordance with their respective partnership agreements. Earnings allocated to such noncontrolling interest partners are recorded as income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

Revenue Recognition

All leases of real estate assets held by Piedmont are classified as operating leases, and the related base rental income is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Tenant reimbursements are recognized as revenue in the period that the related operating cost is incurred. Rents and tenant reimbursements collected in advance are recorded as deferred income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Other rental income, consisting primarily of lease termination fees, is recognized once Piedmont has satisfied all obligations under the related lease or lease termination agreement.

Gains on the sale of real estate assets are recognized upon completing the sale and, among other things, determining the sale price and transferring all of the risks and rewards of ownership without significant continuing involvement with the purchaser. Recognition of all or a portion of the gain would be deferred until both of these conditions are met. Losses are recognized through impairment charges when identified.

Stock-based Compensation, Policy

Stock-based Compensation

Piedmont has issued stock-based compensation in the form of restricted stock to its employees and directors. For employees, such compensation has been issued pursuant to Piedmont's Long-term Incentive Compensation ("LTIC") program. The LTIC program is comprised of an annual restricted stock grant component and a multi-year performance share component. Awards granted pursuant to the annual restricted stock component are considered equity awards and expensed straight-line over the vesting period, with issuances recorded as a reduction to additional paid in capital. Awards granted pursuant to the performance share component are considered liability awards and are expensed over the service period, with issuances recorded as a reduction to accrued expense. The compensation expense recognized related to both of these award types is recorded as property operating costs for those employees whose job is related to property operation and as general and administrative expense for all other employees and directors in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Legal Fees, Policy

Legal Fees and Related Insurance Recoveries

Piedmont recognizes legal expenses in the period in which services are rendered as a component of general and administrative expense or as property operating costs for legal expenses attributable to operating properties. Insurance reimbursements related to ongoing legal matters are recorded as a reduction of legal expense in the period that the insurance company definitively notifies Piedmont of its intent to issue payment.

Litigation Settlement Expense and Related Insurance Recoveries

During the year ended December 31, 2012, Piedmont reached an agreement in principle to settle two separate securities class action lawsuits (See Note 10). As a result of the agreements to settle, Piedmont recorded a $7.5 million charge representing the total of both proposed settlements in its statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2012. Any future insurance recoveries related to these agreements, if applicable, will be recognized as income in the period that the insurance company definitively notifies Piedmont of its intent to issue payment.

Net Casualty Loss/(Gain), Policy

Net Casualty Loss/(Gain)

From time to time, certain of our assets may be damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. Such damages may result in significant expenses related to the destruction of fixed assets or costs to clean, repair, and establish emergency operations at the building or buildings affected by the casualty event. In addition, Piedmont may recognize expenses as a result of issuing rent abatements to tenants for business interruptions caused by the tenants' inability to access the space that they lease from Piedmont. Losses related to the above items are estimated and recorded in the period incurred without regard to whether the loss may be ultimately recoverable under Piedmont's various insurance policies. Any insurance recoveries related to such losses, if applicable, are recorded as income in the period receipt is deemed probable. Insurance recoveries in excess of losses recognized or related to business interruption are recorded as income in the period that the insurance company definitively notifies Piedmont of its intent to issue payment. Casualty losses are presented net of insurance recovery income recorded during the period.

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders Per Share, Policy

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders Per Share

Net income per share-basic is calculated as net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income per share-diluted is calculated as net income available to common stockholders divided by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the dilutive effect of nonvested restricted stock. The dilutive effect of nonvested restricted stock is calculated using the treasury stock method to determine the number of additional common shares that would become outstanding if the remaining unvested restricted stock awards vested. Outstanding stock options have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation, as their impact would be anti-dilutive.

Income Tax, Policy

Income Taxes

Piedmont has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, and has operated as such, beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 1998. To qualify as a REIT, Piedmont must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income. As a REIT, Piedmont is generally not subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, neither a provision nor a benefit for federal income taxes has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Piedmont is subject to certain state and local taxes related to the operations of properties in certain locations, which have been provided for in the financial statements. Additionally, Piedmont conducts certain operations through its taxable REIT subsidiary, Piedmont Office Holdings, Inc. These operations resulted in estimated tax payments of approximately $8.5 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2012, which is recorded in the accompanying financial statements as general and administrative costs.

Reclassifications, Policy

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. The reclassifications relate to the required presentation of income from discontinued operations for the properties sold during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010. Please refer to Note 14 for further details. All such reclassifications do not affect net income attributable to Piedmont as presented in previous years

Recent Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, Comprehensive Income Topic Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2013-02"). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to disclose information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to disclose significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income if the amount reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period is required under GAAP. For amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 is effective for Piedmont for the interim period beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 is not expected to have a material impact on Piedmont's financial statements or disclosures.