Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

VASCO Data Security International, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries design, develop, market and support hardware and software security systems that manage and secure access to information assets. VASCO has operations in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, The Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom (U.K)., and the United States (U.S.).

In accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, our operations are reported as a single operating segment.

Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements

We have revised amounts reported in previously issued financial statements for periods presented in the Annual Report on Form 10-K related to immaterial errors associated with previously unrecorded net unfunded pension obligations, accumulated other comprehensive income and the related deferred tax impacts related to defined benefit plans maintained in our Belgium and Switzerland legal entities. We evaluated the aggregate effects of the errors to our previously issued financial statements in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 99 and No. 108 and, based upon quantitative and qualitative factors, determined that the errors were not material to the previously issued financial statements and disclosures included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of December 31, 2016 or for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, or for any quarterly periods included therein or through our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. As part of this evaluation, we considered a number of qualitative factors, including, among others, that the errors did not change total revenue, had an immaterial impact to operating income in every period, and did not mask a change in earnings or other trends when considering the overall competitive and economic environment within the industry during the period.

The following tables present the effects of the aforementioned revisions on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, our consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and our consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The effects of the errors were inconsequential to our previously issued consolidated statements of operations and cash flows the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, therefore no revisions to those financial statements were recorded.


Consolidated Balance Sheet
	As of December 31, 2016
	As previously
	Reported		Adjustment		Corrected

Other long-term liabilities	$	1,878	$	3,831	$	5,709
Deferred income taxes		853		(414)		439
Total liabilities		70,691	$	3,417		74,108

Accumulated other comprehensive Income (loss)		(9,493)	$	(3,417)		(12,910)
Total stockholders' equity		256,579		(3,417)		253,162
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	327,270	$	—	$	327,270


Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	For the year ended December 31, 2016
	As previously
	Reported		Adjustment		Corrected
Net income (loss)	$	10,514	$	—	$	10,514
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cumulative translation adjustment, net		(2,488)		—		(2,488)
Pension adjustment, net		(1,211)		(525)		(1,736)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	6,815	$	(525)	$	6,290

	For the year ended December 31, 2015
	As previously
	Reported		Adjustment		Corrected
Net income (loss)	$	42,151	$	—	$	42,151
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cumulative translation adjustment, net		(3,292)		—		(3,292)
Pension adjustment, net		—		(552)		(552)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	38,859	$	(552)	$	38,307

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity


	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	As previously
	Reported		Adjustment		Corrected
Balance at January 1, 2015	$	(2,502)	$	(2,340)	$	(4,842)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net		(3,292)		—		(3,292)
Pension adjustment, net of tax of $70		—		(552)		(552)
Balance at December 31, 2015		(5,794)		(2,892)		(8,686)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net		(2,488)		—		(2,488)
Pension adjustment, net of tax of $509		(1,211)		(525)		(1,736)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(9,493)	$	(3,417)	$	(12,910)


	Total Stockholders' Equity
	As previously
	Reported		Adjustment		Corrected
Balance at January 1, 2015	$	205,873	$	(2,340)	$	203,533
Net income		42,151				42,151
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net		(3,292)				(3,292)
Restricted stock		3,835				3,835
Tax payments for stock issuances		(837)				(837)
Tax benefits of stock based compensation		318				318
Pension adjustment, net of tax of $70		—		(552)		(552)
Balance at December 31, 2015		248,048		(2,892)		245,156
Net income		10,514				10,514
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net		(2,488)				(2,488)
Restricted stock		2,766				2,766
Tax payments for stock issuances		(1,051)				(1,051)
Pension adjustment, net of tax of $509		(1,211)		(525)		(1,736)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	256,578	$	(3,417)	$	253,161

Financial information presented in the accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements reflect the correction of these errors (see Note 6 and Note 11). Periods not presented herein will be revised, as applicable, as included in future filings.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of VASCO Data Security International, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts from prior years have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The financial position and results of the operations of the majority of the company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars using current exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments arising from differences in exchange rates are charged or credited to other comprehensive income (loss). Gains or (losses) resulting from foreign currency transactions were $464, $111, and ($1,247) in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, and are included in other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations.

The financial position and results of our operations in Canada, Singapore, and Switzerland are measured in U.S. Dollars. For these subsidiaries, gains and losses that result from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations in other income, net.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 985 605, Software – Revenue Recognition, ASC 605 25, Revenue Recognition – Multiple Element Arrangements and Staff Accounting Bulletin 104.

Product and License Revenue includes hardware products and software licenses. Services and Other includes software as a service (“SaaS”), maintenance and support, and professional services.

Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collection of the revenue is probable.

In multiple-element arrangements, some of our products are accounted for under the software provisions of ASC 985 605 and others under the provisions that relate to the sale of non-software products.

In our typical multiple-element arrangement, the primary deliverables include:

a client component (i.e., an item that is used by the person being authenticated in the form of either a new standalone hardware device or software that is downloaded onto a device the customer already owns),

host system software that is installed on the customer’s systems (i.e., software on the host system that verifies the identity of the person being authenticated) or licenses for additional users on the host system software if the host system software had been installed previously,

post contract support (“PCS”) in the form of maintenance on the host system software or support.

Our multiple-element arrangements may also include other items that are usually delivered prior to the recognition of any revenue and incidental to the overall transaction such as initialization of the hardware device, customization of the hardware device itself or the packaging in which it is delivered, deployment services where we deliver the device to our customer’s end-use customer or employee and, in some cases, professional services to assist with the initial implementation of a new customer.

In multiple-element arrangements that include a hardware client device, we allocate the selling price among all elements, delivered and undelivered, based on our internal price lists and the percentage of the selling price of that element, per the price list, to the total of the estimated selling price of all of the elements per the price list. Our internal price lists for both delivered and undelivered elements were determined to be reasonable estimates of the selling price of each element based on a comparison of actual sales made to the price list.

In multiple-element arrangements that include a software client device, we account for each element under the standards of ASC 985 605 related to software. When software client devices and host software are delivered elements, we use the Residual Method for determining the amount of revenue to recognize for token and software licenses if we have vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) for all of the undelivered elements. Any discount provided to the customer is applied fully to the delivered elements in such an arrangement. VSOE for undelivered elements is established using the “bell curve method.” Under this method, we conclude VSOE exists when a substantial majority of PCS renewals are within a narrow range of pricing. The estimated selling price of PCS items is based on an established percentage of the user license fee attributable to the specific software . In sales arrangements where VSOE of fair value has not been established, revenue for all elements is deferred and amortized over the life of the arrangement.

For transactions other than multiple-element arrangements, we recognize revenue as follows:

Product and License Revenue: Revenue from the sale of computer security hardware or the license of software is recorded upon shipment or, if an acceptance period is allowed, at the latter of shipment or customer acceptance. No significant obligations or contingencies exist with regard to delivery, customer acceptance or rights of return at the time revenue is recognized.

SaaS: We generate SaaS revenues from our cloud services offerings. SaaS revenues include fees from customers for access to the eSignLive suite of solutions. Our standard customer arrangements generally do not provide the customer with the right to take possession of the software supporting the cloud-based application service at any time. As such, these arrangements are considered service contracts and revenue is recognized ratably over the service period of the contract.

Maintenance and Support Agreements: Maintenance and support agreements generally call for us to provide software updates and technical support, respectively, to customers. Revenue on maintenance and technical support is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance and support agreement.

Professional Services: We provide professional services to our customers. Revenue from such services is recognized during the period in which the services are performed.

We recognize revenue from sales to distributors and resellers on the same basis as sales made directly to customers. We recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collection of the revenue is probable.

For large-volume transactions, we may negotiate a specific price based on the number of users of the software license or quantities of hardware supplied. The per unit prices for large-volume transactions are generally lower than transactions for smaller quantities.

All revenue is reported on a net basis, excluding any sales or value added taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents are high-quality short term money market instruments and commercial paper with maturities at acquisition of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are held by a number of U.S. and non-U.S. commercial banks and money market investment funds.

Short Term Investments

Short term investments are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Short term investments are high-quality commercial paper and bank certificates of deposit with maturities at acquisition of more than three months and less than twelve months.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The credit worthiness of customers is reviewed prior to shipment. A reasonable assurance of collection is a requirement for revenue recognition. Verification of credit and the establishment of credit limits are part of the customer contract administration process. Credit limit adjustments for existing customers may result from the periodic review of outstanding accounts receivable. The company records trade accounts receivable at invoice values, which are generally equal to fair value.

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make payments for goods and services. We analyze accounts receivable balances, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in our customer payment timing when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is based on a specific review of all significant past-due accounts. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Generally, accounts are charged off when decision is taken to no longer pursue collection.

Inventories

Inventories, consisting principally of hardware and component parts, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in-first-out (FIFO) method. We write down inventory where it appears that the carrying cost of the inventory may not be recovered through subsequent sale of the inventory. We analyze the quantity of inventory on hand, the quantity sold in the past year, the anticipated sales volume in the form of sales to new customers as well as sales to previous customers, the expected sales price and the cost of making the sale when evaluating the valuation of our inventory. If the sales volume or sales price of a specific model declines significantly, additional write downs may be required.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets ranging from three to seven years. Additions and improvements are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Gains or losses resulting from sales or retirements are recorded as incurred, at which time related costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 of $1,792, $1,928, and $1,345, respectively, is included in operating expenses.

Long Term Investments

Included in Other Assets are minority equity investments in companies we believe may be beneficial in executing our strategy. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, investments were $4,361 and $4,073, respectively. In accordance with ASC 325, the investments are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value, and are evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Cost of Goods Sold

Included in product and license cost of goods sold are direct product costs. Cost of goods sold related to services and other revenues are primarily costs related to SaaS solutions, including personnel and equipment costs, and personnel costs of employees providing professional services and maintenance and support.

Research and Development Costs

Costs for research and development, principally the design and development of hardware, and the design and development of software prior to the determination of technological feasibility, are expensed as incurred on a project-by-project basis.

Software Development Costs

We capitalize software development costs in accordance with ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased, or Marketed. Research costs and software development costs, prior to the establishment of technological feasibility, determined based upon the creation of a working model, are expensed as incurred. Our software capitalization policy currently defines technological feasibility as a functioning beta test prototype with confirmed manufacturability (a working model), within a reasonably predictable range of costs. Additional criteria include receptive customers, or potential customers, as evidenced by interest expressed in a beta test prototype, at some suggested selling price. Our policy is to amortize capitalized costs by the greater of (a) the ratio that current gross revenue for a product bear to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenue for that product or (b) the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life of the product, generally two to five years, including the period being reported on. No software development costs were capitalized in any of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, or 2015.

Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes includes amounts payable or refundable for the current year, the effects of deferred taxes and impacts from uncertain tax positions. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of our assets and liabilities, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those differences are expected to reverse.

The realization of certain deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. When assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider any carryback potential, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits), future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

We have significant net operating loss and other deductible carryforwards in certain jurisdictions available to reduce the liability on future taxable income. A valuation allowance has been provided to offset some of these future benefits because we have not determined that their realization is more likely than not.

We recognize tax benefits in our financial statements from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position. The amount we recognize is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon resolution. Future changes related to the expected resolution of uncertain tax positions could affect tax expense in the period when the change occurs.

We monitor changes in tax laws and reflect the impacts in the period of enactment. In response to the U.S. tax reform legislation enacted on December 22, 2017 (“Tax Reform”), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued guidance (“SAB 118”) allowing provisional amounts for recording the impacts of Tax Reform. For provisions of Tax Reform where we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the impact, the guidance allows continued application of historical tax provisions in computing our income tax liability and deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017. The guidance requires final accounting for Tax Reform within one year of the December 22, 2017 enactment date. See Note 6, Income Taxes, for additional information on the impacts of the Tax Reform.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

At December 31, 2017, and 2016, our financial instruments were cash and equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The estimated fair value of our financial instruments has been determined by using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies, as defined in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. The fair values of the financial instruments were not materially different from their carrying amounts at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Accounting for Leases

All of our leases are operating leases. Rent expense on facility leases is charged evenly over the life of the lease, regardless of the timing of actual payments.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as acquired technology, customer relationships, and other intangible assets, are originally recorded at fair value. Intangible assets other than patents with definite lives are amortized over the useful life, generally three to seven years for proprietary technology and five to twelve years for customer relationships. Patents are amortized over the life of the patent, generally 20 years in the U.S.

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. We assess the impairment of goodwill each November 30 or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company’s impairment assessment begins with a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The qualitative assessment includes comparing the overall financial performance of the reporting unit against the planned results used in the last quantitative goodwill impairment test. Additionally, the reporting unit’s fair value is assessed in light of certain events and circumstances, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, and other relevant entity- and reporting unit specific events. The selection and assessment of qualitative factors used to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value involves significant judgments and estimates. If it is determined under the qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then a two-step quantitative impairment test is performed. Under the first step, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two does not need to be performed. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the enterprise must perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). Under step two, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation in acquisition accounting. The residual amount after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair value of the reporting unit under the two-step assessment is determined using a combination of both income and market-based variation approaches. The inputs and assumptions to valuation methods used to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit involves significant judgments.

During the third quarter of 2017, we determined certain events and circumstances resulted in a change in the composition of our reporting units. Previously, we considered the Company to be two reporting units, the operations of eSignLive and the remainder of our operations. Due to the continued integration of eSignLive operations and changes in management, we now consider the Company to be a single reporting unit. The change in the composition of our reporting units was reflected in our annual impairment test performed as of November 30.

Our qualitative assessment of our reporting unit did not indicate an impairment. Accordingly, we did not recognize any impairment for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Stock-Based Compensation

We have stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 8. ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation requires us to estimate the fair value of restricted stock granted to employees, directors and others and to record compensation expense equal to the estimated fair value. Compensation expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for time-based awards and on a graded basis for performance-based awards.. Forfeitures are recorded as incurred.

Retirement Benefits

We record annual expenses relating to its pension defined benefit plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed asset rates of return, compensation increases, and turnover rates. We review our actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends. The effects of gains, losses, and prior service costs and credits are amortized over the average service life. The funded status, or projected benefit obligation less plan assets, for each plan, is reflected in our consolidated balance sheets using a December 31 measurement date.

Warranty

Warranties are provided on the sale of certain of our products and an accrual for estimated future claims is recorded at the time revenue is recognized. We estimate the cost based on past claims experience, sales history and other considerations. We regularly assess the adequacy of our estimates and adjust the amounts as necessary. Our standard practice is to provide a warranty on our hardware products for either a one or two year period after the date of purchase. Customers may purchase extended warranties covering periods from one to four years after the standard warranty period. We defer the revenue associated with the extended warranty and recognize it into income on a straight-line basis over the extended warranty period. We have historically experienced minimal actual claims over the warranty period.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

We adopted ASU 2015‑11, Inventory (Topic 330) – Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory as of January 1, 2017. ASU 2015‑11 requires measurement of inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, defined as estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Adoption of ASU 2015‑11 did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, (ASU 2015-16), which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer to retrospectively adjust the financial statements for measurement-period adjustments that occur in periods after a business combination is consummated. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within such annual periods and applies prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. We have adopted ASU 2015-16 in our consolidated financial statements as of January 1, 2016. Measurement period adjustments identified subsequent to December 31, 2015 for the eSignLive Acquisition, further described in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, were recorded and disclosed in accordance with ASU 2015-16.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step model to achieve its core principle: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. It also provides guidance on accounting for costs incurred to obtain or fulfill contracts with customers. In addition, entities must disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required about: (i) the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue under the entity’s contracts with customers; (ii) the significant judgments, and changes in judgments, made in applying the guidance to those contracts; and (iii) any assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer.

The FASB has issued numerous amendments to ASU 2014-09 from August 2015 through January 2018, which provides supplemental and clarifying guidance, as well as amend the effective date of the new standard.

The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2018. We will adopt ASU 2014-09 on a modified-retrospective basis. Such method provides the cumulative effect from prior periods upon applying the new guidance to be recognized in our consolidated balance sheets as of the date of adoption, including an adjustment to retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted.

We expect this new guidance to have a material impact on the timing of revenue recognition for certain of our multiple element arrangements. Currently, software license revenue from term license sales (“Term Licenses”) is generally recognized ratably over the respective license term (“over time”) due to a lack of VSOE for the PCS that is provided during the Term License. Upon adoption of the new standard, we expect to recognize the portion of the transaction price allocated to the distinct Term License upon delivery of the software to the customer (“point in time”) and the non-license portion (e.g., PCS) of the transaction price over the respective PCS term (“over time”). During 2017, revenue recognized associated with term licenses, and related PCS, represented approximately 6% of 2017 consolidated revenues. At December 31, 2017, these term arrangements had remaining license periods ranging up to four years. Also, under legacy GAAP when professional services are provided in a Term License for which VSOE of PCS does not exist, the professional services fees are currently recognized over the PCS period as well, as it is typically longer than the period to deliver professional services. Under the new standard, the professional services will be considered a separate performance obligation, and we will recognize the portion of the transaction price allocated to the professional services as those services are performed. We also expect the adoption of the new standard to have a significant impact on the nature and extent of disclosures of contracts with customers and related costs.

We have determined the significant incremental costs incurred to obtain contracts with customers are sales commissions paid to our sales teams. Under legacy GAAP, we expense sales commissions as earned, and record such amounts as a component of Sales and marketing operating costs in our consolidated statements of operations. We recognized sales commission expense of $4,250 in the 2017. Under the new guidance, we expect to capitalize portions of our sales commissions as an asset, and amortize the benefit to expense over an amortization period that will include the expected contract renewals, which we currently estimate may be up to 7 years. However, we will apply the practical expedient to expense commissions as incurred when the amortization period is one year or less. In addition, we will allocate the costs of obtaining a contract in each contract to the performance obligations in the contract and amortize the allocated cost commensurate with the transfer of control of each respective performance obligation. This will generally result in a large portion of the capitalized cost of obtaining the contract to be recognized when software licenses or hardware is delivered to the customer, usually at the outset of the arrangement. At the date of the adoption of this new guidance, we expect to record an asset in our consolidated balance sheets for the amount of unamortized sales commissions for prior periods, as calculated under the new standard. We are finalizing the impact of this adjustment upon adoption of the new standard.

We continue to execute our implementation plan, which will continue through the filing of our consolidated interim financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2018. We are completing our stand-alone selling price analyses for certain goods and services, the evaluation of material rights in certain customer contracts, the income tax effect on our transition adjustments, and our evaluation of the new disclosure requirements. We are also finalizing on our newly developed processes and internal controls over revenue recognition and continue to implement system changes and enhancements.

We are in the process of evaluating all contracts not completed as of January 1, 2018, and we expect to record a material impact to retained earnings from the adoption of the new standard primarily due to the effect of Term License arrangements discussed above that would have been recognized as revenue in 2018 and beyond. For fiscal year 2018, we expect the financial impact of adoption of the new standard, which has the effect of reducing our 2018 revenue that would have been recognized under legacy GAAP, to be offset by the recognition of Term License revenue from newly executed contracts post-adoption that would have been deferred and recognized over multiple periods under legacy GAAP. However, our assessment of the foregoing is ongoing and subject to finalization, such that the actual impact of the adoption may differ materially from the discussion above.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard will replace most existing lease guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASU is the requirement for lessees to report a right to use asset and a lease payment obligation on the balance sheet but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to today’s accounting, and for lessors the guidance remains substantially similar to current U.S. GAAP. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. However, early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. We are in the process of evaluating the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Such guidance will impact how we account for our investments reported under the cost method of accounting as follows: Equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) will be required to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values will require a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value. We are currently evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

On March 30, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, to improve accounting for share-based payment transactions as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative. The ASU changes certain aspects of accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit instead of additional paid-in capital; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, and (3) accounting for forfeitures. The other provisions of ASU 2016-09 are immaterial to the Company. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We have early adopted ASU 2016-09 in our consolidated financial statements as of January 1, 2016 and applicable aspects described were adopted prospectively. Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

The adoption of ASU 2016-09 resulted in an increase to the tax provision of $169 that would have otherwise been debited to additional paid in capital. Similarly, as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09, cash flows from operating activities decreased $169 and cash flows from financing activities decreased by the same amount. The Company also elected to begin accounting for forfeitures when they occur. The impact of this policy change was immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. The impact of this ASU on future periods is dependent on our stock price at the time restricted stock awards vest.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230) – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This guidance clarifies eight specific cash flow issues in an effort to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified within the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for the Company January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, the ASU requires a retrospective application unless it is determined that it is impractical to do so in which case it must be retrospectively applied at the earliest date practical. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The new guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for intercompany asset transfers. The core principle requires an entity to immediately recognize the tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018. We are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations – Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This standard changes the definition of a business by requiring that at least one substantive process exist in the acquired entity. It also states that if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, then the set of transferred assets and activities is not a business. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2018, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This standard eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (i.e. Step 2 of the current guidance), instead measuring the impairment charge as the excess of the reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value (i.e. Step 1 of the current guidance). The guidance is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2020, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted for impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (ASC 715) - Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Costs and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The new guidance will improve the presentation of pension cost by providing additional guidance on the presentation of net benefit cost in the income statement and on the components eligible for capitalization in assets. The core principle of the ASU is to provide more transparency in the presentation of these costs by requiring the service cost component to be reported in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The amendments require that the Consolidated Statements of Income impacts be applied retrospectively, while Balance Sheet changes should be applied prospectively.

The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt the newly issued ASU as of January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.