Accounts Receivable

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Gross, Allowance, and Net [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Net accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
Trade accounts receivable	$	170,963		$	142,166
Unbilled accounts	71,047			73,325
Gross accounts receivable	242,010			215,491
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,791		)	(1,627		)
Reserve for cash-basis customers	(3,987		)	(2,928		)
Total accounts receivable reserves	(5,778		)	(4,555		)
Accounts receivable, net	$	236,232		$	210,936

The Company’s accounts receivable balance includes unbilled amounts that represent revenues recorded for customers that are typically billed monthly in arrears. The Company records reserves against its accounts receivable balance. These reserves consist of allowances for doubtful accounts and reserves for cash-basis customers. Increases and decreases in the allowance for doubtful accounts are included as a component of general and administrative expenses. The Company’s reserve for cash-basis customers increases as services are provided to customers where collection is no longer assured. Increases to the reserve for cash-basis customers are recorded as reductions of revenues. The reserve decreases and revenue is recognized when and if cash payments are received.

Estimates are used in determining these reserves and are based upon the Company’s review of outstanding balances on a customer-specific, account-by-account basis. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon a review of customer receivables from prior sales with collection issues where the Company no longer believes that the customer has the ability to pay for services previously provided. The Company also performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. If such an evaluation indicates that payment is no longer reasonably assured for services provided, any future services provided to that customer will result in the creation of a cash-basis reserve until the Company receives consistent payments. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.