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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2012
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of significant accounting policies consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

Principles of Consolidation

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in these consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and highly-liquid investments with a maturity at time of purchase of three months or less.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.  The Company reduces credit risk by placing its temporary cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions.  At times, such amounts may exceed Federally insured limits.  The Company reduces credit risk related to accounts receivable by routinely assessing the financial strength of its customers and maintaining an appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts based on its history of write-offs, current economic conditions and an evaluation of the credit risk related to specific customers. The Company does not require collateral in most cases, but may file claims against the construction project if a default in payment occurs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s material financial instruments at April 30, 2012 and for which disclosure of fair value is required by certain accounting standards consisted of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, account payable, line of credit and loans payable. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and account payable are equal to their carrying value because of their liquidity and short-term maturity. Management believes that the fair values of the line of credit and loans payable do not differ materially from their aggregate carrying values in that substantially all the obligations bear variable interest rates that are based on market rates or interest rates that are periodically adjustable to rates that are based on market rates.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are due within contractual payment terms and are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Credit is extended based on evaluation of a customer's financial condition. Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, the Company's previous loss history, the customer's current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Included in the accounts receivable is retainage receivable of $1,966,254 and $2,371,385 at April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company estimates that approximately $1,567,000 of the aggregate accounts receivable and retainage receivable will not be collected within one year of April 30, 2012.
 
Inventory

Inventory consists of materials, parts and supplies principally valued at the lower of cost using the first-in-first-out (FIFO) method, or market.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided for using straight-line methods, in amounts sufficient to charge the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the term of the related lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the amount by which the purchase prices of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries were in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets as of date of acquisition.  Other intangible assets have finite useful lives and are comprised of customer lists and backlog.

Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment, and otherwise on an interim basis should events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Determination of impairment requires the Company to compare the fair value of the business acquired (reporting unit) to its carrying value, including goodwill, of such business (reporting unit). If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized. However, if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the goodwill of the unit may be impaired. The amount, if any, of the impairment is then measured in the second step, based on the excess, if any, of the reporting unit’s carrying value of goodwill over its implied value.

The Company determines the fair value of the reporting units for purposes of this test primarily by using a discounted cash flow valuation technique. Significant estimates used in the valuation include estimates of future cash flows, both future short-term and long-term growth rates, and estimated cost of capital for purposes of arriving at a discount factor. The Company performs its annual impairment test at April 30 absent any interim impairment indicators. Significant adverse changes in general economic conditions could impact the Company's valuation of its reporting units. 

The Company reviews its other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  In performing a review for impairment, the Company compares the carrying value of the assets with their estimated future undiscounted cash flows from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than carrying value, an impairment loss is charged to operations based on the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates its revenue by providing design-build engineering services for communications infrastructure. The Company’s design-build services report revenue pursuant to customer contracts that span varying periods of time. The Company reports revenue from contracts when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, fees are fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.

The Company records revenue and profit from long-term contracts on a percentage-of-completion basis, measured by the percentage of contract costs incurred to date to the estimated total costs for each contract.  Contracts in process are valued at cost plus accrued profits less earned revenues and progress payments on uncompleted contracts. Contract costs include direct materials, direct labor, third party subcontractor services and those indirect costs related to contract performance. Contracts are generally considered substantially complete when engineering is completed and/or site construction is completed.

The Company has numerous contracts that are in various stages of completion. Such contracts require estimates to determine the appropriate cost and revenue recognition. Cost estimates are reviewed monthly on a contract-by-contract basis, and are revised periodically throughout the life of the contract such that adjustments to profit resulting from revisions are made cumulative to the date of the revision. Significant management judgments and estimates, including the estimated cost to complete projects, which determines the project’s percent complete, must be made and used in connection with the revenue recognized in the accounting period. Current estimates may be revised as additional information becomes available. If estimates of costs to complete long-term contracts indicate a loss, provision is made currently for the total loss anticipated.  For the year ended April 30, 2012, the Company has provided aggregate loss provisions of approximately $1,887,000 related to anticipated losses on long-term contracts. For the year ended April 30, 2011, the Company has provided aggregate loss provisions of approximately $946,000 related to anticipated losses on long-term contracts.
 
The length of the Company’s contracts varies but is typically between three months and two years. Assets and liabilities related to long-term contracts are included in current assets and current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as they will be liquidated in the normal course of contract completion, although this may require more than one year.

The Company records revenue and profit from short-term contracts for our China Operations under the completed contract method, whereas income is recognized only when a contract is completed or substantially completed. Accordingly, during the period of performance, billings and costs are accumulated on the balance sheet, but no revenue or income is recorded before completion or substantial completion of the work.  The Company’s decision is based on the short-term nature of the work performed.

The Company also recognizes certain revenue from short-term contracts when equipment is delivered or the services have been provided to the customer.  For maintenance contracts, revenue is recognized ratably over the service period.

Other Concentrations

The Company has 218 union employees.  A contract with one union employee for the Portland Operations expires on December 31, 2012. Trenton Operations has 120 union employees whose contracts with different unions that do not have expiration dates. The contracts can be cancelled with 150 days notice. A contract with six union employees for the Seattle Operations expires on May 31, 2013. A contract with 10 union employees for the Seattle Operations expires on May 31, 2014.  A contract with 15 union employees for the Seattle Operations expires on July 31, 2013. A contract with 21 union employees for the Seattle Operations expires on May 31, 2015.  A contract with one union employee for the Seattle Operations expires on August 31, 2015.  A contract with 35 union employees for the Suisun City Operations expires on November 30, 2014.  A contract with five union employees for the Suisun City Operations expired on May 31, 2012 and the Company is in the process of renewing this contract.  A contract with two union employees for the Suisun City Operations expires on May 31, 2014. A contract with two union employees for Suisun City Operations expires on June 30, 2013. At April 30, 2012, 48% of the Company’s labor force is subject to collective bargaining agreements.  Although the Company’s past experience has been favorable with respect to resolving conflicting demands with these unions, it is always possible that a protracted conflict may occur which could impact the renewal of the collective bargaining agreements.

For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012, the Company had revenue from one customer in its electrical power segment totaling $10,173,718, which comprised approximately 11.0% of the consolidated revenue. There were no customers who comprised more than 10% of the consolidated revenue for the year ended April 30, 2011.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the asset and liability method which requires deferred income tax assets and liabilities to be computed annually for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

On a periodic basis, the Company evaluates its ability to realize its deferred tax assets net of its deferred tax liabilities and adjusts such amounts in light of changing facts and circumstances, including but not limited to the level of past and future taxable income, and the current and future expected utilization of tax benefit carryforwards. The Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized in future periods.  The Company considers past performance, expected future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the amount of the valuation allowance. The Company’s forecast of expected future taxable income is based over such future periods that it believes can be reasonably estimated.  Based on its analysis as of April 30, 2012, the Company increased its valuation allowance by $9.3 million, establishing a full valuation allowance of approximately $10.6 million on its U.S. Federal and state deferred tax assets.  The Company will continue to evaluate the realization of its deferred tax assets and liabilities on a periodic basis, and will adjust such amounts in light of changing facts and circumstances.
 
The Company performed a review for uncertainty in income tax positions in accordance with authoritative guidance.  This review did not result in the recognition of any material unrecognized tax benefits as of April 30, 2012 and 2011. Management continually evaluates expiring statutes of limitations, audits, proposed settlements, changes in tax laws’ and new authoritative rulings. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized no interest or penalties.  The statute of limitations for the Company's U.S. Federal, state and foreign income tax returns prior to fiscal years 2008 are closed.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic net loss per common share is computed as net loss divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur from common stock issuable through exercise of stock options.  The table below presents the computation of basic and diluted net loss per common share for the years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively:

Basic and diluted loss per share computation
 
Years Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Numerator:
           
             
     Net loss attributable to WPCS
  $ (20,547,831 )   $ (36,831,421 )
                 
Denominator:
               
                 
     Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding
    6,954,766       6,954,766  
                 
Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to WPCS
  $ (2.95 )   $ (5.30 )

At April 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company had 236,736 and 277,888 outstanding stock options, respectively. For the years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, 236,736 and 277,888 options were not included in the computation of fully diluted loss per common share as a result of the net loss, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $43,917 and $86,971 for the years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

At April 30, 2012, the total compensation expense related to unvested stock options granted to employees under the Company’s stock option plans but not yet recognized was approximately $19,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 6 months. For the year ended April 30, 2012, there were no stock options granted. For the year ended April 30, 2011, the weighted average fair value of stock options granted was $1.31.

The Company elected to adopt the shortcut method for determining the initial pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies related to stock-based compensation. The shortcut method includes simplified procedures for establishing the beginning balance of the pool of excess tax benefits (the APIC Tax Pool) and for determining the subsequent effect on the APIC Tax Pool and the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows of the tax effects of share-based compensation awards. Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation are reflected as financing cash inflows.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. Compensation cost is then recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting or service period and is net of estimated forfeitures.  There were no new stock options issued during the year ended April 30, 2012. The following assumptions were used to compute the fair value of stock options granted during the year ended April 30, 2011:
 
   
Year Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
   
2011
 
       
Average risk-free interest rate
    1.20 %
Average expected volatility
    60.4 %
Average expected dividend yield
    0.00 %
Average expected term (in years)
    3.5  

The risk-free rate is based on the rate of U.S Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option grants.  Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock using the weekly closing price of the Company’s common stock. The expected dividend yield is zero based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and has no present intention to pay cash dividends. The expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was calculated using the simplified method.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest for the years ended April 30, 2012 and 2011 consists of the following:

   
Years Ended
 
   
April 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 1,038,428     $ 1,173,000  
                 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
    (21,840 )     (174,491 )
                 
Other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    100,734       39,919  
Balance, end of year
  $ 1,117,322     $ 1,038,428  

Use of Estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to the calculation of percentage-of-completion on uncompleted contracts, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventory, realization of deferred tax assets, amortization method and lives of customer lists, acquisition-related contingency consideration and estimates of the fair value of reporting units and discounted cash flows used in determining whether goodwill has been impaired. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-05), Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of shareholders’ equity and requires the presentation of net income and other comprehensive income to be in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 does not change the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05, which defers the requirement to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the standard. ASU 2011-05, as amended by ASU 2011-12, will be effective May 1, 2012, for the Company; however, early adoption is permitted. The Company currently presents a separate statement of comprehensive income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-09, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Multiemployer Plans (Subtopic 715-80): Disclosures about an Employer’s Participation in a Multiemployer Plan (ASU 2011-09). ASU 2011-09 requires that employers provide additional annual quantitative and qualitative disclosures on multi-employer pension plans including information on the plan name, employer’s contributions to the plan, the financial health of the plan including funding status, and the nature of employer commitments to the plan.  ASU 2011-09 is effective for annual periods for fiscal years that end after December 15, 2011, with early adoption allowed. The Company makes contributions to several multiemployer benefit plans as required under certain of its union agreements.  Included in Note 8 are the disclosures about these multiemployer benefits plans as required under the new pronouncement.  This pronouncement had no impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11 (ASU 2011-11), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities where entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This scope would include derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements, and reverse sale and repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending arrangements. These disclosures assist users of financial statements in evaluating the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on a company’s financial position. The Company is required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 (May 1, 2013 for the Company). The Company does not expect the provisions of ASU 2011-11 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.