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Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies and Practices

1. Significant Accounting Policies and Practices

The Company

SP Plus Corporation (the "Company") facilitates the efficient movement of people, vehicles and personal belongings with the goal of enhancing the consumer experience while improving bottom line results for the Company’s clients. The Company provides technology-driven mobility solutions, professional parking management, ground transportation, remote baggage check-in and handling, facility maintenance, security and event logistics to aviation, commercial, hospitality, healthcare and government clients across North America. The Company typically enters into contractual arrangements with property owners or managers as opposed to owning facilities. Substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in the United States.

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE when the Company has the power to direct activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE. If the Company is not the primary beneficiary in a VIE, the Company accounts for the investment in the VIE in accordance with applicable accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, assets related to consolidated VIEs were $54.9 million and $38.7 million, respectively, which were primarily related to right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and leasehold improvements, equipment and construction in progress, net. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, liabilities related to consolidated VIEs were $52.7 million and $45.1 million, respectively, which were primarily related to operating and finance lease liabilities. All significant intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Company's Canadian operations is the Canadian dollar. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the Company's Canadian operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate in effect on the respective balance sheet date while income and expenses are translated at the weighted-average rates during the respective periods. Translation adjustments resulting from the fluctuations of the Canadian dollar are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the stockholders’ equity. Deferred taxes are not recorded on cumulative Canadian dollar translation adjustments when we expect the Canadian earnings to be permanently reinvested.

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. Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted as to withdrawal or use under the terms of certain contractual agreements were $0.2 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and are included within Cash and cash equivalents within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents the Company's 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, primarily using a review of specific accounts, as well as historical collection trends and aging of receivables, and records adjustments to 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.

Transactions affecting the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(millions)

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

5.1

 

 

$

1.9

 

 

$

1.0

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

1.1

 

Write offs and other

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Ending Balance

 

$

3.5

 

 

$

5.1

 

 

$

1.9

 

 

Leasehold Improvements, Equipment and Construction in Progress, net

Leasehold improvements, equipment, software, vehicles, and other fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives ranging from 1 to 10 years. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements that extend the useful life of property and equipment are capitalized. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter (weighted average remaining life of approximately 3.9 years).

Certain costs incurred in the planning and evaluation stage of internal-use software projects are recorded to expense as incurred. Costs associated with directly obtaining, developing or upgrading internal-use software are capitalized and included as Software within Leasehold improvements, equipment and construction in progress, net, within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. When the internal-use software is ready for its intended use, it is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the internal-use software, which is typically 3 years.

Cost of Contracts, Net

Cost of contracts, net, represents the cost of obtaining contractual rights associated with providing services for a managed type or lease-type contract. Incremental costs incurred to obtain service contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the contracts, including anticipated renewals and terminations. The amortization period is consistent with when the Company satisfies the related performance obligations. Estimated lives are based on the contract

life. Effective January 1, 2019, cost of contracts associated with leases within the scope of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) are included in the right-of-use (“ROU”) assets balance.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of net assets acquired. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") authoritative accounting guidance on goodwill, the Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if events or circumstances change that could cause goodwill to become impaired. The Company has elected to assess the impairment of goodwill annually on October 1 or at an interim date if there is an event or change in circumstances indicating the carrying value may not be recoverable. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level; the Company's reporting units represent its operating segments, consisting of Commercial and Aviation. Factors that could trigger an impairment review include significant under-performance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the use of acquired assets or the Company’s business strategy, and significant negative industry or economic trends.

The Company may perform a qualitative, rather than quantitative, assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines impairment may be present, the Company would need to perform a quantitative assessment. The determination of fair value of a reporting unit utilizes cash flow projections that assume certain future revenue and cost levels, comparable marketplace data, comparable company market valuations, assumed discount rates based upon current market conditions and other valuation factors, all of which involve the use of significant judgement and estimates. The Company also assesses critical areas that may impact its business including economic conditions, market related exposures, competition, changes in service offerings and changes in key personnel. The Company completed a quantitative test of goodwill as of October 1, 2021, and concluded that the estimated fair values of each of the Company’s reporting units exceeded its carrying amount of net assets assigned to each reporting unit.

Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (“COVID-19”) on the Company’s operations during 2020, revenues for certain markets in which the Company operates decreased significantly as compared to expectations as of the October 1, 2019 annual impairment test. In addition, certain Aviation contracts were terminated during August 2020. The termination of these contracts and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the Company’s expected future operating cash flows triggered the Company to complete a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis for the Aviation reporting unit as of August 31, 2020. Based on the quantitative analysis, the Company determined that the estimated carrying value exceeded implied fair value for the Aviation reporting unit and goodwill was impaired. See Note 11. Goodwill in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Other Intangible Assets, net

Other intangible assets represent assets with finite lives that are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The Company evaluates the remaining useful life of other intangible assets on a periodic basis to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to their remaining useful lives. In addition, other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when circumstances change that would indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Assumptions and estimates about future values and remaining useful lives of intangible are complex and subjective. They can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors, such as changes in the Company’s business strategy and forecasts. Although management believes the historical assumptions and estimates are reasonable and appropriate, difference assumptions and estimates could materially impact reported financial results.

As a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s expected future operating cash flows, the Company determined certain impairment triggers had occurred related to the Company’s Proprietary know how intangible assets within the Aviation segment as of June 30, 2020. Accordingly, the Company analyzed undiscounted cash flows for these intangible assets as of June 30, 2020. Based on the undiscounted cash flow analysis, the Company determined that estimated net carrying values exceeded undiscounted future cash flows for certain Proprietary know how intangible assets and therefore, as of June 30, 2020, certain Proprietary know how intangible assets were impaired.

Additionally, as a result of the termination of certain contracts within the Aviation reporting unit during August 2020 and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s expected future operating cash flows, the Company determined certain impairment testing triggers had occurred related to the Company’s customer relationships and trade names and trademarks intangible assets. Accordingly, the Company analyzed undiscounted cash flows for these intangible assets as of August 31, 2020. Based on the undiscounted cash flow analysis, the Company determined that estimated net carrying values exceeded undiscounted future cash flows for certain customer relationships and trade names and trademarks intangible assets and therefore, as of August 31, 2020, certain customer relationships and trade names and trademarks intangible assets were impaired.

The impairments recognized were measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the intangible assets exceeded their fair value. See Note 10. Other Intangible Assets, net in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

For both goodwill and intangible assets, future events may indicate differences from management’s judgements and estimates which could, in turn, result in impairment charges. Future events that may result in impairment charges include extended unfavorable economic impacts of COVID-19, increases in interest rates, which would impact discount rates, or other factors which could decrease revenues and profitability of existing locations and changes in the cost structure of existing facilities, such as increasing labor and benefit costs.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including ROU assets, leasehold improvements, equipment and construction in progress, for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The Company groups assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identified in order to measure an impairment. Events or circumstances that would result in an impairment review include a significant change in the use of an asset, the planned sale or disposal of an asset, or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the asset or asset group is determined to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.

The Company’s management determined impairment testing triggers had occurred for ROU assets associated with certain asset groups as of September 30, 2021. Accordingly, the Company analyzed undiscounted cash flows for these ROU assets as of September 30, 2021. Based on the undiscounted cash flow analysis, the Company determined that the estimated net carrying value exceeded undiscounted cash flows for one ROU asset and therefore this ROU asset was impaired as of September 30, 2021. The impairment recognized was measured by the amount by which the carrying value of this ROU asset exceeds its fair value. See Note 2. Leases in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Additionally, the Company’s management determined impairment testing triggers had occurred for ROU assets associated with certain asset groups during the year ended December 31, 2020. Accordingly, the Company analyzed undiscounted cash flows for these ROU assets during the year ended December 31, 2020. Based on the undiscounted cash flow analysis, the Company determined that estimated net carrying values exceeded undiscounted cash flows for these ROU

assets and therefore during the year ended December 31, 2020, certain ROU asset groups were impaired. See Note 2. Leases in the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Assumptions and estimates used to determine cash flows in the evaluation of impairment and the fair values used to determine the impairment are subject to a degree of judgment and complexity. Any future changes to the assumptions and estimates resulting from changes in actual results or market conditions from those anticipated may affect the carrying value of long-lived assets and could result in additional impairment charges. Future events that may result in impairment charges include extended unfavorable economic impacts of COVID-19, or other factors, which could decrease revenues and profitability of existing locations.

Accrued and Other Current Liabilities

Components of accrued and other current liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

 

(millions)

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Accrued rent

 

$

19.0

 

 

$

17.3

 

Compensation and payroll withholdings

 

 

25.6

 

 

 

32.0

 

Property, payroll and other taxes

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

4.8

 

Accrued insurance

 

 

20.0

 

 

 

20.1

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

51.8

 

 

 

38.5

 

Accrued and other current liabilities

 

$

123.3

 

 

$

112.7

 

 

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. Book overdrafts of $27.9 million and $23.2 million are included within Accounts payable within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Long-term debt has a carrying value that approximates fair value because the instruments bear interest at variable market rates.

Insurance Reserves

The Company purchases comprehensive casualty insurance covering certain claims that arise in connection with the Company’s operations. In addition, the Company purchases umbrella/excess liability coverage. Under the various liability and workers' compensation insurance policies, the Company is obligated to pay directly or reimburse the insurance carrier for the deductible / retention amount of each loss covered by the Company’s general / garage, automobile, workers' compensation and garage keepers legal liability policies. As a result, the Company is, effectively self-insured for all claims within the deductible / retention amount of each loss. Any loss over the deductible / retention is the responsibility of the third-party insurer. 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 and exposures specific to each type of insurance, along with actuarial methods performed quarterly by a third party actuarial adviser in determining the required level of insurance reserves. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the insurance reserve for general, garage, automobile and workers’ compensation liabilities was $47.6 million and $43.5 million, respectively, of which $20.0 million and $20.1 million was recorded in Accrued and other current liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $27.6 million and $23.4 million was recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. 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.

Legal and Other Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to litigation in the normal course of its business. 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 for pending legal claims. See Note 18. Legal and Other Commitments and Contingencies for further discussion.

Services Revenue

The Company's revenues are primarily derived from management type and lease type contracts; whereby the Company provides parking services, parking management, ground transportation services, baggage handling services and other ancillary services to commercial, hospitality, institutional, municipal and aviation clients. Ancillary services include on-site parking management, facility maintenance, ground transportation services, event logistics, remote airline check-in, security services, municipal meter revenue collection and enforcement services, and scheduling and supervising all service personnel, as well as providing customer service, marketing, accounting and revenue control functions necessary to complete such services. Ancillary services also include fees associated with using the Company’s technology-driven mobility solutions, payments received for exercising termination rights, consulting development fees, gains on sales of contracts, insurance (general, workers' compensation and health care) and other value-added services. In accordance with the guidance related to revenue recognition, entities are required to recognize revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company recognizes gross receipts (net of taxes collected from customers) as revenue from lease type contracts, and management fees for services, as the related services are performed. Ancillary services are included in management type contracts and are recognized as revenue as those services are provided.

Reimbursed Management Type Contract Revenue and Expense

The Company recognizes both revenues and expenses, in equal amounts, that are directly reimbursed by the Company’s clients for operating expenses incurred under a management type contract. The Company has determined it is the principal in these transactions as the nature of our performance obligations is for the Company to provide the services on behalf of the customer. As the principal to these related transactions, the Company has control of the promised services before they are provided to the customer.

Cost of Services

The Company recognizes costs for lease type contracts, non-reimbursed costs from management type contracts and reimbursed management type contract expenses as cost of services. Cost of services consists primarily of rent and payroll related costs.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based payments to employees, including grants of restricted stock and performance-based share units, are measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and the related expense is recognized over the requisite employee service period or performance period (generally the vesting period) for awards expected to vest. The Company also grants stock to its Board of Directors (“Board”) on an annual basis, which is recorded as expense at the

grant date, based on the fair value of the award. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur. See Note 6. Stock-Based Compensation for further discussion.

Equity Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

The Company has ownership interests in 31 active partnerships, joint ventures or similar arrangements that operate parking facilities, of which 25 are consolidated under the VIE or voting interest models and 6 are unconsolidated where the Company’s ownership interests range from 30-50 percent and for which there are no indicators of control. The Company accounts for such investments under the equity method of accounting, and the Company’s underlying share of each investee’s equity of $10.8 million and $10.1 million as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, was included in Other noncurrent assets, net within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As the operations of these entities are consistent with the Company’s underlying core business operations, the equity in earnings of these investments are included in Services revenue - lease type contracts within the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The equity earnings in these related investments were $1.4 million, $1.3 million, and $3.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represent the noncontrolling holders' percentage share of income (losses) from the subsidiaries in which the Company holds a controlling interest, but less than 100 percent, ownership interest. The results are consolidated and included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method, such that deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for deductible temporary differences between US GAAP amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities based on currently enacted tax laws and tax rates in effect for the periods in which these temporary differences are expected to reverse or be settled. Income tax expense is the tax payable for the period plus the change during the period in deferred income taxes. The Company has certain state net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forwards which expire in 2041. The Company considers a number of factors in its assessment of the recoverability of its NOL carryforwards including their expiration dates and the limitations imposed due to the change in ownership as well as future projections of income. Future changes in the Company's operating performance, along with these considerations, may significantly impact the amount of NOLs ultimately recovered, and the Company’s assessment of their recoverability.

The Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities related to taxes on certain foreign earnings that were not considered to be permanently reinvested. No deferred tax liabilities were recognized for foreign earnings that were considered to be permanently reinvested. The Company’s foreign operations are not material.

When evaluating the Company’s tax positions, the Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes in its Consolidated Financial Statements. The evaluation of a tax position by the Company is a two-step process, the first step being recognition. The first step is to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on only the technical merits of the position and the weight of available evidence. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not threshold, which is more than 50% likely of being realized, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the Company’s financial statements. The second step is measurement of the tax benefit. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more-likely-than-not of being realized, which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate resolution with a taxing authority.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company adopted the following ASUs, all of which did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements or financial statement disclosures.

 

ASU

Topic

Method of Adoption

2021-01

Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope

Prospective

2020-10

Codification Improvements

Prospective

2020-03

Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments

Prospective

2020-01

Investments - equity securities; Investment-Equity Method and Joint Ventures; Derivatives and Hedging

Prospective

 

Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted

Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. These amendments create an exception to the general recognition and measurement principle for contract assets and liabilities from contracts with customers acquired in a business combination. Under this exception, an acquiring company applies ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to recognize and measure contract assets and liabilities on the acquisition date. ASC 805 generally requires the acquiring company in a business combination to recognize and measure acquired assets and assumed liabilities at fair value on the acquisition date. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the standard as of January 1, 2022, which did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and financial statement disclosures.

Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance.

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. The guidance aims to increase transparency about government assistance transactions that are not in the scope of other US GAAP guidance. The ASU requires disclosure of the nature and significant terms and considerations of the transactions, the accounting policies used and the effects of those transactions. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the standard as of January 1, 2022, which did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and financial statement disclosures.