Fair Value Measurement

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2016

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT – We use the following classification of financial instruments pursuant to the fair value hierarchy methodologies for assets measured at fair value:


▪	Level 1 – inputs to the valuation are quoted prices in an active market for identical assets.


▪	Level 2 – inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets utilizing a third-party pricing service to determine fair value.


▪	Level 3 – valuation is based on significant inputs that are unobservable in the market and our own estimates of assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing the asset.

Assets measured on a recurring basis are initially measured at fair value and are required to be remeasured at fair value in the financial statements at each reporting date. There were no transfers between hierarchy levels during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2016 and 2015.

ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS – The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments are as follows:



(in 000s)
As of April 30,	2016				2015				Fair Value Hierarchy
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	896,801	$	896,801	$	2,007,190	$	2,007,190	Level 1
Cash and cash equivalents - restricted	104,110		104,110		91,972		91,972		Level 1
Receivables, net - short-term	153,116		153,116		167,964		167,964		Level 1
Mortgage loans held for investment, net	202,385		190,503		239,338		190,196		Level 3
Investments in AFS securities	1,133		1,133		441,709		441,709		Level 1 and 2
Receivables, net - long-term	60,407		60,407		80,867		80,867		Level 1 and 3
Liabilities:
Customer banking deposits	—		—		744,699		737,261		Level 1 and 3
Long-term debt	1,502,751		1,566,098		506,088		556,769		Level 2
Contingent consideration	8,657		8,657		10,667		10,667		Level 3

Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below. The fair value was not estimated for assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.


▪	Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted - Fair value approximates the carrying amount.


▪	Receivables, net - short-term - For short-term balances the carrying values reported in the balance sheet approximate fair market value due to the relative short-term nature of the respective instruments.

▪

Mortgage loans held for investment, net - The fair value of mortgage loans held for investment is estimated using a third-party pricing service. The fair value is determined using the present value of expected future cash flows at the asset level, assuming future prepayments and using discount factors determined by prices obtained for residential loans with similar characteristics in the secondary market, as discounted for illiquid assets. Quarterly, we perform analytics to assess the reasonableness of the fair value received from the third-party pricing service based on changes in the portfolio and changes in market conditions. We evaluate whether adjustments to third-party pricing is necessary and historically, we have not made adjustments to prices obtained from our third-party pricing service.


▪	Investments in AFS securities - For mortgage-backed securities, we historically used a third-party pricing service to determine fair value. The service's pricing model is based on market data and utilizes available trade, bid and other market information for similar securities (Level 2). The fair value of our investment in common stock was determined based on quoted market prices (Level 1).

▪

Receivables, net - long-term - The carrying values for the long-term portion of loans to franchisees approximate fair market value due to variable interest rates, low historical delinquency rates and franchise territories serving as collateral (Level 1). Long-term EA receivables are carried at net realizable value which approximates fair value (Level 3). Net realizable value is determined based on historical collection rates.

▪

Customer banking deposits - The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, checking, money market and savings accounts, was equal to the amount payable on demand (Level 1). The fair value of IRAs and other time deposits was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates offered by HRB Bank for products with similar remaining maturities (Level 3).


▪	Long-term debt - The fair value of our Senior Notes is based on quotes from multiple banks.


▪	Contingent consideration - Fair value approximates the carrying amount.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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