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Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies and Practices [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies and Practices

Note A. Significant Accounting Policies and Practices

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interest recorded in the consolidated statement of income is the interest in consolidated VIEs not controlled by the Company. We have interest in thirteen joint ventures and one limited liability company. The thirteen joint ventures each operate between one and thirty parking facilities. The limited liability company was formed to collect and distribute parking facility data for a fee. Of the fourteen variable interest entities, seven are consolidated into our financial statements, and seven are single purpose entities where the Company is not the primary beneficiary and therefore the Company does not control these entities as power is shared. Investments in variable interest entities where the Company is not the primary beneficiary are accounted for under the equity method. All significant intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Parking Services Revenue

The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from leased locations, managed properties and the providing of ancillary services, such as accounting, equipment leasing, payments received for exercising termination rights, consulting development fees, gains on sales of contracts, insurance and other value-added services. In accordance with the guidance related to revenue recognition, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and as services are provided. The Company recognizes gross receipts (net of taxes collected from customers) as revenue from leased locations, and management fees for parking services, as the related services are provided. Ancillary services are earned from management contract properties and are recognized as revenue as those services are provided.

Cost of Parking Services

The Company recognizes costs for leases, non-reimbursed costs from managed facilities and reimbursed expense as cost of parking services. Cost of parking services consists primarily of rent and payroll related costs.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses aggregated $317, $308 and $212 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Share based payments to employees including grants of employee stock options and restricted stock units are measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and the expense is recognized over the requisite employee service period (generally the vesting period) for awards expected to vest (considering estimated forfeitures).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents represent funds temporarily invested in money market instruments with maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents our estimate of the amount that ultimately will be realized in cash. Management reviews the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts on an ongoing basis, using historical collection trends, aging of receivables, and a review of specific accounts, and makes adjustments in the allowance as necessary. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances could have an impact on the collection of existing receivable balances or future allowance considerations. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was $2,969 and $2,805, respectively.

Leasehold Improvements, Equipment, and Construction in Progress, net

Leasehold improvements and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment is depreciated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives ranging from 2 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter (average of approximately 7 years). Assets under capital leases are amortized on the straight-line basis over the shorter of the terms of the respective leases or the service lives of the asset and is included in depreciation expense.

Costs associated with directly obtaining, developing or upgrading internal-use software are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of software.

Cost of Contracts

Cost of parking contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the weighted average contract life which is 9.7 years for the year ending December 31, 2011, 9.5 years for the year ending December 31, 2010 and 9.4 years for the year ending December 31, 2009. Amortization expense was $2,275, $1,907 and $1,762 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Goodwill

We test goodwill for impairment annually and more frequently if circumstances warrant. We determine fair values for each of the reporting units using an income approach. For purposes of the income approach, fair value is determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk-adjusted rate. We use our internal forecasts to estimate future cash flows and include an estimate of long-term future growth rates based on our most recent views of the long-term outlook for each segment. These assumptions could be adversely impacted by certain of the risks discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Form 10-K. Actual results may differ from those assumed in our forecasts. We use discount rates that are commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in the respective reporting units and in our internally developed forecasts.

We performed our annual impairment test for goodwill at all of our reporting units in the fourth quarter. In performing the valuations, we used cash flows, which reflected management’s forecasts and discount rates which reflect the risks associated with the current market. Based on the results of our testing, the fair values of each of our reporting units exceeded their book values; therefore, the second step of the impairment test (in which fair value of each of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities is measured) was not required to be performed and no goodwill impairment was recognized.

Estimating the fair value of reporting units involves the use of estimates and significant judgments that are based on a number of factors including actual operating results. If current conditions change from those expected, it is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates described above could change in future periods.

 

Long Lived and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Long-lived assets and identifiable intangibles with finite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or group of assets. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Debt Issuance Costs

The costs of obtaining financing are capitalized and amortized as interest expense over the term of the respective financing using the interest rate method. Debt issuance costs of $950 and $1,558 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, are included in intangibles and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets and are reflected net of accumulated amortization. Amortization expense was $638, $638 and $640 at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Financial Instruments

The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Long-term debt has a carrying value that approximates fair value because these instruments bear interest at variable market rates.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated from foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect on the balance sheet date while income and expenses are translated at the weighted-average exchange rates for the year. Adjustments resulting from the translations of foreign currency financial statements are accumulated and classified as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Interest Rate Caps

We do not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than cash flow hedging purposes.

On February 22, 2010, we entered into interest rate cap agreements with Wells Fargo Bank N.A. (“Wells Fargo”) and Fifth Third Bank (“Fifth Third”), allowing us to limit our exposure on a portion of our borrowings under our senior credit facility (“Rate Cap Transactions”). Pursuant to two separate letter agreements between the Company and Wells Fargo and Fifth Third, respectively, we will receive payments from Wells Fargo and Fifth Third each quarterly period to the extent that the prevailing three month LIBOR during that period exceeds our cap rate of 3.25%. The Rate Cap Transactions are effective March 31, 2010, and will settle each quarter on a date that is intended to coincide with our quarterly interest payment dates under our senior credit facility. The Rate Cap Transactions cap our LIBOR interest rate on a notional amount of $50,000 at 3.25% for a total of 39 months. These Rate Cap Transactions are classified as a cash flow hedge, and we calculate the effectiveness of the hedge on a quarterly basis. The ineffective portion of the cash flow hedge is recognized in earnings as an increase of interest expense of $112 in 2011 and $1 in 2010. The fair value of the interest rate cap at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is $8 and $174, respectively and is included in prepaid expenses.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current environment.

Insurance Reserves

The Company purchases comprehensive casualty insurance covering certain claims that arise in connection with our operations. In addition, the Company purchases umbrella/excess liability coverage. The Company’s various liability insurance policies have deductibles of up to $250 that must be met before the insurance companies are required to reimburse the Company for costs incurred relating to covered claims. As a result, the Company is, in effect, self-insured for all claims up to the deductible levels. The Company applies the provisions as defined in the guidance related to accounting for contingencies, in determining the timing and amount of expense recognition associated with claims against the Company. The expense recognition is based upon the Company’s determination of an unfavorable outcome of a claim being deemed as probable and capable of being reasonably estimated, as defined in the guidance related to accounting for contingencies. This determination requires the use of judgment in both the estimation of probability and the amount to be recognized as an expense. The Company utilizes historical claims experience along with regular input from third party insurance advisors in determining the required level of insurance reserves. Future information regarding historical loss experience may require changes to the level of insurance reserves and could result in increased expense recognition in the future.

Contingencies

The Company is subject to litigation in the normal course of our business. The Company applies the provisions as defined in the guidance related to accounting for contingencies in determining the recognition and measurement of expense recognition associated with legal claims against the Company. Management uses guidance from internal and external legal counsel on the potential outcome of litigation in determining the need to record liabilities for potential losses and the disclosure of pending legal claims.

Income Taxes

Income tax in the consolidated statement of operations includes deferred income tax provisions or benefits for all significant temporary differences in recognizing income and expenses for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Reimbursed Management Contract Revenue and Expense

The Company recognizes as both revenues and expenses, in equal amounts, costs incurred by the Company that are directly reimbursed from its management clients. The Company has determined it is the principal in these transactions, as defined in ASC 605-45 Principal Agent Considerations, based on the indicators of gross revenue reporting. As the principal, we are the primary obligor in the arrangement, have latitude in establishing price, discretion in supplier selection, and we assume credit risk.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued updated accounting guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income. This accounting update eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity. Instead, comprehensive income must be reported in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income, which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. The adoption of this update will impact the presentation and disclosure of the Company’s financial statements but will not impact the Company’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance related to testing goodwill for impairment. The amendments provide entities with the option of performing a qualitative assessment before performing the first step of the two-step impairment test. If entities determine, on the basis of qualitative factors, it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test would be unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test by calculating the fair value of the reporting unit and comparing the fair value with the carrying amount of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the entity is required to perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The amendment also provides entities with the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the first step of the two-step impairment test. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, but early adoption is permitted. Although the Company is still evaluating the impact of this guidance, we do not believe that its adoption will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows but could impact financial statement disclosures.

In May 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance related to amendments to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. The guidance amends certain accounting and disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements to ensure that fair value has the same meaning in U.S. GAAP and in IFRS and that their respective fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are the same. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating how we will adopt this new guidance and the impact, if any, the adoption will have on our future results of operations and financial condition.

Accounting Standards Adopted

In September 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance related to compensation retirement benefits for multiemployer plans. The amendments are intended to provide more information about an employer’s financial obligations to multiemployer pension plans and multiemployer other postretirement benefits plans and, therefore, help financial statement users better understand the financial health of all of the significant plans in which the employer participates. This guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2011. The Company has provided increased disclosures related to its participation in multi-employer pension plans.

Reclassification

Certain amounts previously presented in the financial statements of prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.