Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of IES Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the use of estimates and assumptions by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are primarily used in our revenue recognition of construction in progress, fair value assumptions in accounting for business combinations, stock-based compensation, reserves for legal matters, and realizability of deferred tax assets and unrecognized tax benefits.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories consist of raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and parts and supplies held for use in the ordinary course of business. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value generally using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. When circumstances dictate, we write down inventory to its estimated net realizable value based on assumptions about future demand, market conditions, plans for disposal, and physical condition of the product. Where shipping and handling costs on inventory purchases are borne by us, these charges are included in inventory and charged to cost of services upon use in our projects or the providing of services.

Property and Equipment

Additions of property and equipment are recorded at cost, and depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the lesser of the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset. Costs associated with software developed or obtained for internal use, including third party

development fees incurred during the application development stage and software licenses, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software.

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which extend the useful lives of existing property and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated. Upon retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the capitalized cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the statements of comprehensive income in the caption (gain) loss on sale of assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill attributable to each reporting unit is tested for impairment either by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying value or by a qualitative assessment. These impairment tests are required to be performed at least annually. On an ongoing basis (absent any impairment indicators), we perform an impairment test annually using a measurement date of September 30. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit is greater than its fair value, then we perform an impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing this calculated fair value with the carrying value of the reporting unit.

We estimate the fair value of the reporting unit based on both a market approach and an income approach, using discounted estimated future cash flows. The market approach uses market multiples of enterprise value to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for comparable publicly traded companies. The income approach relies on significant estimates for future cash flows, projected long-term growth rates, and the weighted average cost of capital.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives based on expected economic benefit with no residual value.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs are included as a reduction of our debt outstanding, or alternately classified within other non-current assets if we have no borrowings drawn on our credit facility at the balance sheet date, and are amortized to interest expense over the scheduled maturity of the debt. Amortization expense of debt issuance costs was $268, $199 and $198, respectively, for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Remaining unamortized capitalized debt issuance costs were $836 and $1,031 at September 30, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized from a contract with a customer when: (i) it has approval and commitment from both parties, (ii) the rights of the parties are identified, (iii) payment terms are identified, (iv) the contract has commercial substance, and (v) collectability of consideration is probable. We consider the start of a project to be when the above criteria have been met and we have written authorization from the customer to proceed.

We recognize revenue on project contracts over time using the percentage of completion method. Project contracts generally provide that customers accept completion of progress to date and compensate us for services rendered measured in terms of units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. We recognize revenue on both signed contracts and change orders. A discussion of our treatment of claims and unapproved change orders is described later in this section. Percentage of completion for construction contracts is measured principally by the percentage of costs incurred and accrued to date for each contract to the estimated total cost for each contract at completion. We generally consider contracts to be substantially complete upon departure from the work site and acceptance by the customer. Contract costs include all direct material, labor and insurance costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs. Changes in job performance, job conditions, estimated contract costs and profitability and final contract settlements can result in change orders under which the customer agrees to pay additional contract price. Revisions can also result in claims we might make against the customer to recover additional costs that have not been resolved through change orders with the customer. We do not recognize revenue or margin based on change orders or claims if it is probable such revenue will be reversed. The amount of revenue associated with unapproved change orders and claims was immaterial for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Provisions for total estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. The balances billed but not paid by customers pursuant to retainage provisions in project contracts are typically due upon completion of the contracts and acceptance by the customer. Based on our experience, the retention balance at each balance sheet date will be collected within the subsequent fiscal year.

Certain divisions in the Residential and Infrastructure Solutions segments recognize revenue at the completion of the contract ("completed contract") under the right to invoice practical expedient because the duration of their contracts is short in nature. We recognize revenue on completed contracts when the project is complete and billable to the customer.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses

As described below under “Accounting Standards Recently Adopted”, we adopted the new accounting standard for measuring credit losses effective October 1, 2020. We record accounts receivable for all amounts billed and not collected and amounts for which we have an unconditional right to bill our customers. Additionally, we provide an allowance for credit losses based on historical company-specific uncollectable accounts, as well as current and expected market conditions. From time to time, we establish additional allowance for credit losses for financial asset balances with specific customers where collectability has been determined to be improbable based on specific facts and circumstances. Such allowances are established as deemed necessary in the period such determination is made. As is common in our industry, some of these receivables are in litigation or require us to exercise our contractual lien rights in order to collect. Our allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2023 and 2022 was $1,649 and $5,361, respectively.

In calculating our expected credit losses, we consider trade receivables, retainage, and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, all of which constitute a homogenous portfolio, and therefore, to measure the expected credit loss, they are grouped together.

We have elected to calculate an expected credit loss based on loss rates from historical data. Each segment groups financial assets with similar risk characteristics and collectively assesses the expected credit losses. If an individual asset experiences credit deterioration to the extent the credit risk is no longer characteristic of the other assets in the group, it will be analyzed individually. The loss rates for our portfolios include our history of credit loss expense, the aging of our receivables, our expectation of payments and adjustment for forward-looking factors specific to the macroeconomic trends in the markets we serve.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to stockholders.

Income Taxes

We follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future income tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws.

We evaluate valuation allowances established for deferred tax assets for which future realization is uncertain on a quarterly basis. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we must consider whether it is more likely than not some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, in determining whether a valuation allowance is required. At September 30, 2023, we concluded, based upon the assessment of positive and negative evidence, that it is more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income to realize net deferred tax assets of $20,383. We considered the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. If actual future taxable income is different from these estimates, our results could be affected.

We record reserves for income taxes related to certain tax positions when management considers it more likely than not that additional taxes may be due in excess of amounts reflected on income tax returns filed. When recording these reserves, we assume that taxing authorities have full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. We continually review exposure to additional tax obligations, and as further information is known or events occur, changes in tax reserves may be recorded. To the extent interest and penalties may be assessed by taxing authorities on any underpayment of income tax, such amounts have been accrued and included in the provision for income taxes.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and a loan agreement. We believe that the carrying value of financial instruments approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of our debt approximates fair value, as debt incurs interest at a variable rate.

Noncontrolling Interest

In connection with our acquisitions of Edmonson Electric, LLC (“Edmonson”) and Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air-Conditioning, LLC (“Bayonet”) in fiscal 2021, NEXT Electric, LLC (“NEXT”) in fiscal 2017, and STR Mechanical, LLC (“STR”) in fiscal 2016, we acquired an 80 percent interest in each of the entities, with the remaining 20 percent interest in each such entity being retained by

the respective third party sellers. The interests retained by those third party sellers are identified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as noncontrolling interest, classified outside of permanent equity. Under the terms of each entity’s operating agreement, after five years from the date of the acquisition, we may elect to purchase, or the third party seller may require us to purchase, part or all of the remaining 20 percent interest in the applicable entity. The purchase price is variable, based on a multiple of earnings as defined in the operating agreements. Therefore, this noncontrolling interest is carried at the greater of the balance determined under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 and the redemption amounts assuming the noncontrolling interests were redeemable at the balance sheet date.

During the year ended September 30, 2021, we acquired the noncontrolling interest in STR for $1,188. We sold 100% of our interests in STR in October 2022. If all of the noncontrolling interests remaining outstanding at September 30, 2023 had been redeemable at that date, the redemption amount would have been $49,951. For the year ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a decrease to Retained Earnings of $15,701 to increase the carrying amount of noncontrolling interest in NEXT, Edmonson and Bayonet to their redemption amounts. For the year ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a decrease to Retained Earnings of $4,699 to increase the carrying amount of noncontrolling interest in NEXT and Edmonson to their redemption amounts.

Leases

We enter into various contractual arrangements for the right to use facilities, vehicles and equipment. We evaluate whether each of these arrangements contains a lease and classify all identified leases as either operating or finance. If the arrangement is subsequently modified, we re-evaluate our classification. The lease term generally ranges from two to ten years for facilities and three to five years for vehicles and equipment. Our lease terms may include the exercise of renewal or termination options when it is reasonably certain these options will be exercised. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants.

Upon commencement of the lease, we recognize a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for all leases with an initial term greater than twelve months. Lease liabilities represent the present value of our future lease payments over the expected lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate in calculating the present value of the lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is determined by identifying a synthetic credit rating for the consolidated company, where treasury functions are centrally managed, and adjusting the interest rates from associated indexes for differences in credit risk and interest rate risk. We have elected to combine the lease and nonlease components in the recognition of our lease liabilities across all classes of underlying assets. ROU assets represent our right to control the use of the leased asset during the lease and are recognized in an amount equal to the lease liability with adjustments for prepaid or accrued rent, lease incentives or unamortized initial direct costs. Costs associated with ROU assets are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Our lease assets are tested for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets used in operations.

Certain lease contracts include obligations to pay for other services, such as operations and maintenance. Where the costs of these services can be identified as fixed or fixed-in-substance, the costs are included as part of the future lease payments. If the cost is not fixed at the inception of the lease, the cost is recorded as a variable cost in the period incurred.

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” This standard simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in Topic 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The standard also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and for interim periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard on October 1, 2021 with immaterial impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires companies to consider historical experiences, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts in the measurement of expected credit losses, with further clarifications made in April 2019 and May 2019 with the issuances of Accounting Standard Updates No. 2019-04 and 2019-05. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this standard on October 1, 2020, using a modified retrospective transition method through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the period of adoption. As a result, we recorded an increase in the Allowance for Credit Losses of $284, an increase to Deferred Tax Assets of $70, and a decrease to Retained Earnings of $214.