Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates, include, but are not limited to, the analysis of goodwill impairment, the valuation of equity method investments, and the valuation of deferred tax assets. Assumptions made in the development of these estimates contemplate the macroeconomic landscape and the Company's anticipated results, however actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Fiscal Year

Comstock uses a fiscal reporting calendar which begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. The fiscal years presented are the years ended December 31, 2021 (“2021”) and December 31, 2020 (“2020”). Each of the Company’s fiscal quarters ends on the last day of the calendar month.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of a business that can earn revenue and incur expenses for which discrete financial information is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in order to decide how to allocate resources and assess performance.

Prior to June 30, 2021, the Company operated its business through two segments: Asset Management and Real Estate Services. Given the classification of CES, which included all material operations of the Company's Real Estate Services segment, as a discontinued operation (see Note 3), the Company now manages its business as one reportable operating segment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these investments.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivables are recorded at the amount invoiced. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts on an as-needed basis to reduce the trade accounts receivables balance by the estimated amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. The allowance for doubtful accounts estimate is based on the accounts receivable aging report, historical collection experience, and the payee's general financial condition. The Company does not record an allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable from related parties due to the nature of the receivables and collection history.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable from related parties. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in financial institutions that management believes to be financially sound and with minimal credit risk. At times the Company's deposits exceed federally insured limits, however management believes that the Company’s credit risk exposure is mitigated by the financial strength of the banking institutions in which the deposits are held. The Company does a significant amount of business with related parties, demonstrated by related parties accounting for 99.3% of its consolidated revenue in 2021. The Company generally does not obtain collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk, but monitors the credit standing of its related party entities.

Equity Method Investments

The Company invests in certain real estate ventures that qualify for equity method accounting treatment, meaning the Company must adjust its asset carrying value by its proportionate share of earnings, losses, and distributions. However, based on elections made at the investment date, the Company may elect to record certain equity method investments at fair value. With this treatment, assets are recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets and subsequently remeasured at each reporting period. The net change in the fair value of the investments is recorded on the consolidated statements of operations as other income (expense). See Note 5 for further information.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are as follows:

Asset Class	Estimated Useful Life
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of asset life or related lease term
Furniture and fixtures	7 years
Office equipment	5 years
Vehicles	5 years
Computer equipment	3 years
Capitalized software	3 years

Evaluation of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

On an annual basis as of October 1, and at interim periods when circumstances require, the Company tests the recoverability of any goodwill and intangible assets balances that exist at that time and reviews for indicators of impairment. Examples of such indicators include a significant change in the business climate, increased competition, loss of key personnel, significant or unusual changes in market capitalization, negative or declining cash flows, or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods.

The Company performs impairment assessments at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, also known as a component. To test for the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company first performs a qualitative assessment based on economic, industry and company-specific factors for all or selected reporting units to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, two additional steps in the impairment assessment may be required. The first step would require a comparison of each reporting unit’s fair value to the respective carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss on a relative fair value basis, if any. The estimate of the fair value of each reporting unit is based on a projected discounted cash flow model that includes significant assumptions and estimates including the Company's discount rate, growth rate and future financial performance as well as a market multiple model based upon similar transactions in the market. Assumptions about the discount rate are based on a weighted average cost of capital built up from various interest rate components applicable to the Company. Assumptions about the growth rate and future financial performance of a reporting unit are based on the Company's forecasts, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. Market multiples are derived from recent transactions among businesses of a similar size and industry.

The Company amortizes certain identifiable intangible assets that have finite lives. Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment, when deemed necessary, based on undiscounted cash flows and, if impaired, are written down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values.

Fair Value Measurement

The Company applies fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities that are reported at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The accounting guidance establishes a defined three-tier hierarchy to classify and disclose the fair value of assets and liabilities on both the date of their initial measurement as well as all subsequent periods. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value by the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are described as follows:

•Level 1: Observable inputs. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

•Level 2: Observable inputs other than the quoted price. Includes quoted prices for similar instruments, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in inactive markets and amounts derived from valuation models where all significant inputs are observable in active markets; and

•Level 3: Unobservable inputs. Includes amounts derived from valuation models where one or more significant inputs are unobservable and require the Company to develop relevant assumptions.

The Company evaluates its financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements on a recurring basis to determine the appropriate level of classification as of each reporting period.

Leases

The determination of whether an arrangement contains a lease and the classification of a lease, if applicable, is made at lease commencement, at which time the Company also measures and recognizes a right-of-use ("ROU") asset, representing the Company’s right to use the underlying asset, and a lease liability, representing the Company’s obligation to make lease payments under the terms of the arrangement. Operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments (e.g. rent) over the lease term beginning at the commencement date. The operating lease assets are adjusted for lease incentives, deferred rent, and initial direct costs, if incurred. The related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company's leases generally do not include an implicit rate; therefore, an incremental borrowing rate is used that is based on information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of future minimum lease payments. The Company looks to similar credit ratings and bond yields when determining the incremental borrowing rate.

For the purposes of recognizing operating lease assets and liabilities, the Company has elected the practical expedient to not recognize an asset or lease liability for short-term leases, which are leases with a term of twelve months or less. The lease term is defined as the non-cancelable portion of the lease term plus any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised.

Revenue

The Company’s revenue streams, revenue recognition policies, and cost of revenue details are summarized by the following:

Asset Management/Property Management

Asset management pricing includes a cost-plus management fee or a market-rate fee form of variable consideration, and the Company earns whichever is higher. Property Management pricing is generally in the form of a monthly management fee based upon property-level cash receipts, square footage under management, or some other variable metric. In addition, property management revenue includes reimbursable expenses such as payroll and other employee costs for those performing services at managed properties.

Asset and property management services represent a series of distinct daily services rendered over time. The revenue for asset and property management services is presented gross for any services provided by the Company's employees and presented net of third-party reimbursements in instances where the Company does not control third-party services delivered to the client. Consistent with the transfer of control for distinct, daily services to the customer, revenue is typically recognized at the end of each period for the fees associated with the services performed.

Capital Markets

Compensation for commercial mortgage and structured financing services is received via fees paid upon successful commercial financing from third-party lenders. The earned fees are contingent upon the funding of the loan, which represents the transfer of control for services to the customer. Therefore, the Company's performance obligation is satisfied at the point in time of the funding of the loan, when there is a present right to payment.

Leasing

Compensation for providing strategic advice and execution for owners, investors, and occupiers is received in the form of a commission. The commission is paid upon signing of the lease by the tenant, therefore the Company's performance obligation is satisfied at the time of the contractual event, where there is a present right to payment.

Project & Development Services

Fees for project and development services for owners and occupiers of real estate are typically variable and based on a percentage of the total project cost. Project and development services represent a series of performance obligations delivered over time, therefore the Company recognizes revenue over time for these services accordingly.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue is composed primarily of employment expenses for personnel dedicated to providing services to the Anchor Portfolio as well as the costs and expenses of the Company related to maintaining the public listing of its shares and complying with related regulatory and reporting obligations pursuant to the 2019 Asset Management Agreement ("2019 AMA" - see Note 14 for further details). It also includes payroll and other reimbursable expenses incurred under the Company's various property management agreements.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units is measured based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant-date fair value of stock option awards. The exercise price of stock option awards is set to equal the quoted closing market price of the underlying common stock at the date of the grant. The following weighted-average assumptions are also used to calculate the estimated fair value of stock option awards:

•Expected volatility: The expected volatility of the Company’s shares is estimated using the historical stock price volatility over the most recent period commensurate with the estimated expected term of the awards.

•Expected term: The Company determines the expected term by calculating the weighted-average period of time between the grant date and exercise or post-vesting cancellation date of all outstanding stock options.

•Dividend yield: The Company has not paid dividends and does not anticipate paying a cash dividend in the foreseeable future and, accordingly, uses an expected dividend yield of zero.

•Risk-free interest rate: The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield available on a U.S. Treasury note with a term equal to the estimated expected term of the awards.

The Company applies the graded vesting attribution method to recognize compensation expense for stock-based awards. Using this method, the estimated grant-date fair value of the award is recognized over the requisite service period for each separately vesting tranche as though each tranche of the award is, in substance, a separate award. This advanced recognition expense from future vesting tranches results in the accelerated recognition of the overall compensation cost related to the award. The Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. For awards with a performance-based vesting condition, the Company accrues stock-based compensation expense if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on the deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We provide a valuation allowance when we consider it “more likely than not” (greater than 50% probability) that a deferred income tax asset will not be fully recovered. Adjustments to the valuation allowance are a component of the deferred income tax expense or benefit in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the fully diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding amount includes the impact of common share equivalents, which are the incremental shares of common stock that would be issuable upon the hypothetical exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock unit awards. The common stock equivalents are calculated using the treasury stock method and average market prices during the periods, and are included in the diluted net income (loss) per share calculation unless their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” This guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions, clarifying existing guidance and improving consistent application of the guidance. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2021. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This guidance is intended to introduce a revised approach to the recognition and measurement of credit losses, emphasizing an updated model based on current expected credit losses ("CECL") rather than incurred losses. The standard will become effective for the Company for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2022, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.