RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS	NOTE 17. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This ASU outlines a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Deferral of the Effective Date” which defers the effective date of the ASU for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted up to the original effective date of December 15, 2016. In addition, during 2016, the FASB issued additional updates clarifying the implementation guidance for the new revenue recognition standard. The Company intends to adopt the new revenue guidance as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Under this adoption method, the Company will record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2018 and apply the provisions of the ASU prospectively. Currently, the Company believes this ASU will have an impact on, which is not limited to: i) the accounting for certain software subscription revenue in MA whereby the license rights within the arrangement would be recognized at the inception of the contract based on estimated stand-alone selling price with the remainder recognized over the subscription period (compared to ASC 605 whereby all software subscription revenue is currently recognized over the subscription period); ii) the accounting for certain ERS and ESA revenue arrangements where VSOE is not currently available under ASC 605 would result in the acceleration of revenue recognition (compared to ASC 605 whereby revenue is currently deferred due to lack of VSOE); iii) the capitalization and related period of expense recognition for sales commissions, which are incurred in the MA segment; iv) the capitalization of software implementation project costs to fulfill a contract for its ERS and ESA businesses which will be expensed as incurred under the new standard; and v) the capitalization of work in process costs for in-progress MIS ratings at the end of each reporting period. This ASU will also require new comprehensive disclosures about contracts with customers including the significant reasonable judgments the Company has made when applying the ASU. At September 30, 2017, the Company continues to assess and document key changes to its accounting policies relating to the adoption of the new revenue accounting standard. Additionally, the Company is assessing the impact that the standard will have on its processes and controls. Furthermore, the Company is in the process of implementing software in order to support the accounting under the new standard as well as assessing the impact that the new standard for MA multi-element arrangements, which primarily occur within the ERS and ESA revenue streams. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The amendments in this ASU update various aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosures relating to financial instruments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes that the most pertinent impact to its financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU will relate to the discontinuance of the available-for-sale classification for investments in equity securities (unrealized gains and losses were recorded through OCI). Accordingly, subsequent to adoption of this ASU, changes in the fair value of equity securities held by the Company will be recorded through earnings. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows will depend on classification as either a finance or operating lease. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. This standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach whereby leases will be presented in accordance with the new standard as of the earliest period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes that the most notable impact to its financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU will be the recognition of a material right-of-use asset and lease liability for its real estate leases. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The amendments in this ASU require the use of an “expected credit loss” impairment model for most financial assets reported at amortized cost which will require entities to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the instrument. This may result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, an allowance for credit losses will be recognized as a contra account to the amortized cost carrying value of the asset rather than a direct reduction to the carrying value, with changes in the allowance impacting earnings. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted in annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements. Currently, the Company believes that the most notable impact of this ASU will relate to its processes around the assessment of the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. This ASU adds or clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows with the intent to alleviate diversity in practice for classifying various types of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this clarification guidance in its statements of cash flows upon adoption. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This ASU clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied prospectively. Upon adoption, the Company will apply the guidance in this ASU when evaluating whether acquired assets and activities constitute a business. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”. This ASU impacts the presentation of net periodic pension costs in the statement of operations. Entities will be required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs (either Operating or SG&A in Moody’s statement of operations). The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside of operating income. The ASU permits only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption, the Company will bifurcate its net periodic pension costs reported in its statements of operations in accordance with this ASU. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting”. This ASU clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. Under this ASU, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a share-based payment award if the award’s fair value, vesting conditions and classification as an equity or liability instrument are the same immediately before and after the change. The new guidance will reduce diversity in practice and result in fewer changes to the terms of an award being accounted for as modifications. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial statements. In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. This ASU enables entities to enhance transparency relating to risk management activities and simplifies the application of hedge accounting in certain circumstances. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact that this ASU will have on its financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This ASU outlines a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Deferral of the Effective Date” which defers the effective date of the ASU for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted up to the original effective date of December 15, 2016. In addition, during 2016, the FASB issued additional updates clarifying the implementation guidance for the new revenue recognition standard.

The Company intends to adopt the new revenue guidance as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Under this adoption method, the Company will record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings at January 1, 2018 and apply the provisions of the ASU prospectively. Currently, the Company believes this ASU will have an impact on, which is not limited to: i) the accounting for certain software subscription revenue in MA whereby the license rights within the arrangement would be recognized at the inception of the contract based on estimated stand-alone selling price with the remainder recognized over the subscription period (compared to ASC 605 whereby all software subscription revenue is currently recognized over the subscription period); ii) the accounting for certain ERS and ESA revenue arrangements where VSOE is not currently available under ASC 605 would result in the acceleration of revenue recognition (compared to ASC 605 whereby revenue is currently deferred due to lack of VSOE); iii) the capitalization and related period of expense recognition for sales commissions, which are incurred in the MA segment; iv) the capitalization of software implementation project costs to fulfill a contract for its ERS and ESA businesses which will be expensed as incurred under the new standard; and v) the capitalization of work in process costs for in-progress MIS ratings at the end of each reporting period. This ASU will also require new comprehensive disclosures about contracts with customers including the significant reasonable judgments the Company has made when applying the ASU.

At September 30, 2017, the Company continues to assess and document key changes to its accounting policies relating to the adoption of the new revenue accounting standard. Additionally, the Company is assessing the impact that the standard will have on its processes and controls. Furthermore, the Company is in the process of implementing software in order to support the accounting under the new standard as well as assessing the impact that the new standard for MA multi-element arrangements, which primarily occur within the ERS and ESA revenue streams.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The amendments in this ASU update various aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosures relating to financial instruments. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes that the most pertinent impact to its financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU will relate to the discontinuance of the available-for-sale classification for investments in equity securities (unrealized gains and losses were recorded through OCI). Accordingly, subsequent to adoption of this ASU, changes in the fair value of equity securities held by the Company will be recorded through earnings.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows will depend on classification as either a finance or operating lease. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. This standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach whereby leases will be presented in accordance with the new standard as of the earliest period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes that the most notable impact to its financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU will be the recognition of a material right-of-use asset and lease liability for its real estate leases.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The amendments in this ASU require the use of an “expected credit loss” impairment model for most financial assets reported at amortized cost which will require entities to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the instrument. This may result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, an allowance for credit losses will be recognized as a contra account to the amortized cost carrying value of the asset rather than a direct reduction to the carrying value, with changes in the allowance impacting earnings. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted in annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements. Currently, the Company believes that the most notable impact of this ASU will relate to its processes around the assessment of the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. This ASU adds or clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows with the intent to alleviate diversity in practice for classifying various types of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company will apply this clarification guidance in its statements of cash flows upon adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This ASU clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied prospectively. Upon adoption, the Company will apply the guidance in this ASU when evaluating whether acquired assets and activities constitute a business.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”. This ASU impacts the presentation of net periodic pension costs in the statement of operations. Entities will be required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs (either Operating or SG&A in Moody’s statement of operations). The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside of operating income. The ASU permits only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption, the Company will bifurcate its net periodic pension costs reported in its statements of operations in accordance with this ASU.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting”. This ASU clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. Under this ASU, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a share-based payment award if the award’s fair value, vesting conditions and classification as an equity or liability instrument are the same immediately before and after the change. The new guidance will reduce diversity in practice and result in fewer changes to the terms of an award being accounted for as modifications. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial statements.

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”. This ASU enables entities to enhance transparency relating to risk management activities and simplifies the application of hedge accounting in certain circumstances. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact that this ASU will have on its financial statements.