Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 27, 2014

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

The authoritative guidance for fair value establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Financial Assets

The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 27, 2014, were as follows:



	Fair Value Measurements as of September 27, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Description
Assets:
Money market funds	$	87,523	$	—	$	—
Corporate and government bonds	—		38,336		—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	87,523	$	38,336	$	—

The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 28, 2013, were as follows:



	Fair Value Measurements as of December 28, 2013
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Description
Assets:
Money market funds	$	101,441	$	—	$	—
Corporate and government bonds	—		21,954		—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	101,441	$	21,954	$	—

In each table above, the bond investments are valued based on observable market values as of the Company’s reporting date and are included in Level 2. The bond investments are recorded at fair value and marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period. The realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in comprehensive income for that period. The fair value of the Company’s bond investment is included in short term investments in its consolidated balance sheet.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include those of iRobot and its subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. In addition, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. iRobot has prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The accompanying unaudited financial data as of September 27, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013 has been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2014.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to state fairly its statement of financial position as of September 27, 2014 and results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013 have been made. The results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the operating results and cash flows for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, sales returns, bad debts, warranty claims, inventory reserves, valuation of investments, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, assumptions used in valuing stock-based compensation instruments and income taxes. The Company bases these estimates on historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates.

Fiscal Year-End

The Company operates and reports using a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Accordingly, the Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Saturday that falls closest to the last day of the third month of each quarter.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenue from product sales and, to a lesser extent, government and commercial research and development contracts. The Company sells products directly to customers and indirectly through resellers and distributors. The Company recognizes revenue from sales of robots under the terms of the customer agreement upon transfer of title and risk of loss to the customer, net of estimated returns, provided that collection is determined to be reasonably assured and no significant obligations remain. Sales to domestic and Canadian resellers of home robots are typically subject to agreements allowing for limited rights of return, rebates and price protection. The Company also provides limited rights of returns for direct-to-consumer sales generated through its on-line stores. Accordingly, the Company reduces revenue for its estimates of liabilities for these rights of return, rebates and price protection at the time the related sale is recorded. These estimates are directly based on specific terms and conditions included in the reseller agreements, historical returns experience and various other assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. In the case of new product introductions, the estimates for returns applied to the new products are based upon the estimates for the most similar predecessor products until such time that the Company has enough actual returns experience for the new products, which is typically two holiday returns cycles. At that time, the Company incorporates that data into the development of returns estimates for the new products. The Company updates its analysis of returns on a quarterly basis. If actual returns differ significantly from the Company's estimates, or if modifications to individual reseller agreements are entered into that impact their rights of returns, such differences could result in an adjustment to previously established reserves and could have a material impact, either favorably or unfavorably, on the Company’s results of operations for the period in which the actual returns become known or the reseller agreement is modified. The Company's international distributor agreements do not currently allow for product returns and, as a result, no reserve for returns is established for this group of customers. The estimates and reserve for rebates and price protection are based on specific programs, expected usage and historical experience. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Under cost-plus-fixed-fee (“CPFF”) type contracts, the Company recognizes revenue based on costs incurred plus a pro rata portion of the total fixed fee. Costs incurred include labor and material that are directly associated with individual CPFF contracts plus indirect overhead and general and administrative type costs based upon billing rates submitted by the Company to the Defense Contract Management Agency (“DCMA”). Annually, the Company submits final indirect billing rates to DCMA based upon actual costs incurred throughout the year. In the situation where the Company’s final actual billing rates are greater than the estimated rates currently in effect, the Company records a cumulative revenue adjustment in the period in which the rate differential is collected from the customer. These final billing rates are subject to audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (“DCAA”), which can occur several years after the final billing rates are submitted and may result in material adjustments to revenue recognized based on estimated final billing rates. As of September 27, 2014, fiscal years 2012 and 2013 are open for audit by DCAA. In the situation where the Company’s anticipated actual billing rates will be lower than the provisional rates currently in effect, the Company records a cumulative revenue adjustment in the period in which the rate differential is identified. Revenue on firm fixed price (“FFP”) contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method. For government product FFP contracts, revenue is recognized as the product is shipped or in accordance with the contract terms. Costs and estimated gross margins on contracts are recorded as revenue as work is performed based on the percentage that incurred costs compare to estimated total costs utilizing the most recent estimates of costs and funding. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability, including those arising from final contract settlements and government audits, may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Since many contracts extend over a long period of time, revisions in cost and funding estimates during the progress of work have the effect of adjusting earnings applicable to past performance in the current period. When the current contract estimate indicates a loss, a provision is made for the total anticipated loss in the current period. Revenue earned in excess of billings, if any, is recorded as unbilled revenue. Billings in excess of revenue earned, if any, are recorded as deferred revenue.

Accounting for Share-Based Payments

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation through recognition of the fair value of the stock-based compensation as a charge against earnings. Stock-based compensation cost for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on each option's fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Stock-based compensation cost for restricted stock awards, time-based restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. For performance-based restricted stock units, the compensation costs will be subsequently adjusted for assumptions of achievement during the period in which the assumption of achievement changes, as applicable. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation as expense ratably on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures.

Net Income Per Share

The following table presents the calculation of both basic and diluted net income per share:



	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013
Net income	$	14,607	$	7,804	$	28,417	$	24,453
Weighted-average shares outstanding	29,595		28,733		29,439		28,359
Dilutive effect of employee stock options and restricted shares	588		849		730		848
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	30,183		29,582		30,169		29,207
Basic income per share	$	0.49	$	0.27	$	0.97	$	0.86
Diluted income per share	$	0.48	$	0.26	$	0.94	$	0.84

Restricted stock units and stock options representing approximately 0.4 million and 0.1 million shares of common stock for the three month periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively, and approximately 0.2 million and 0.7 million shares of common stock for the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for these periods because their effect would have been antidilutive.

Income Taxes

The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations for examinations by federal tax authorities is closed for fiscal years prior to 2011. The statute of limitations for examinations by state tax authorities is closed for fiscal years prior to 2009. The Company's tax returns are currently under examination by certain states for the years 2009 through 2012. Federal carryforward attributes that were generated prior to fiscal year 2011, and state carryforward attributes that were generated prior to fiscal year 2009 may still be adjusted upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or state tax authorities if they either have been or will be used in a period for which the statute of limitations is still open.

Deferred taxes are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company monitors the realization of its deferred tax assets based on changes in facts and circumstances, for example recurring periods of income for tax purposes following historical periods of cumulative losses or changes in tax laws or regulations. The Company's income tax provisions and its assessment of the ability to realize its deferred tax assets involve significant judgments and estimates.

The Company recorded a tax provision of $7.7 million and $3.4 million for the three month periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively. The $7.7 million provision for the three month period ended September 27, 2014 resulted in an effective income tax rate of 34.6%. The $3.4 million provision for the three month period ended September 28, 2013 resulted in an effective income tax rate of 30.3%. The increase in the effective income tax rate from 30.3% for the three month period ended September 28, 2013 to 34.6% for the three month period ended September 27, 2014 was primarily due to the inclusion of the federal research and development tax credit in the 2013 income tax provision, which has not been enacted into law for inclusion in the 2014 income tax provision.

The Company recorded a tax provision of $11.5 million and $3.4 million for the nine month periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively. The $11.5 million provision for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014 resulted in an effective tax rate of 28.7%. The $3.4 million provision for the nine month period ended September 28, 2013 resulted in an effective tax rate of 12.2%. The increase in the effective income tax rate from 12.2% for the nine month period ended September 28, 2013 to 28.7% for the nine month period ended September 27, 2014 was primarily due to the release of $2.1 million of valuation allowance related to certain tax attributes of Evolution Robotics, Inc. during the nine month period ended September 27, 2014, compared to the release of $2.7 million of certain income tax reserves due to favorable conclusions of the IRS examination of the Company's income tax returns for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010, the inclusion of the federal research and development tax credit in the 2013 income tax provision, which has not been enacted into law for inclusion in the 2014 income tax provision, and the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development tax credit in 2013 during the nine month period ended September 28, 2013. In January 2013, legislation was enacted that included the extension of the federal research and development credit. The legislation retroactively reinstated the research and development tax credit for 2012 and extended them through December 31, 2013. As a result, the Company recorded a discrete benefit of $1.7 million related to 2012 during the nine month period ended September 28, 2013.

The Company anticipates the settlement of state tax examinations may be finalized within the next twelve months and could result in a decrease in its unrecognized gross tax benefits of up to $0.7 million.

Goodwill

Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) annually or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. In accordance with the guidance, the Company is permitted to first assess qualitative factors 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 concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a two-step goodwill impairment test is performed.

The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair values of the applicable reporting units with their aggregate carrying values, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of impairment loss. The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill. The Company completes the annual impairment evaluation during the fourth quarter of each year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern.” ASU No. 2014-15 requires management of public and private companies to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, disclose that fact. Management will also be required to evaluate and disclose whether its plans alleviate that doubt. The new standard is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not believe that the impact of this amendment will be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” ASU No. 2014-12 requires a reporting entity to treat a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period as a performance condition. It is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU No. 2014-12 on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on its consolidated financial statements.

On April 10, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” ASU No. 2014-08 changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The new guidance is effective on a prospective basis for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted for new disposals (or new classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of ASU No. 2014-08 on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update related to the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This new guidance clarifies guidance and eliminates diversity in practice on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when certain situations exist at the reporting date. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013 and subsequent interim periods. The impact of this amendment on the Company’s consolidated financial statements was not material.

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance requiring disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present either on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts not reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. This guidance was effective prospectively for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2013. The impact of these amendments on the Company’s consolidated financial statements was not material.

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by FASB that are adopted by the Company as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes that recently issued standards, which are not yet effective, will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.