Note 1. Summary of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Veeva is a leading provider of cloud-based software solutions for the global life sciences industry. We were founded in 2007 on the premise that industry-specific business problems would best be addressed by tailored cloud solutions, an approach referred to as industry cloud. All of our solutions are designed from the ground up to address the unique business and regulatory requirements of the life sciences industry. We enable life sciences companies to realize the benefits of a cloud delivery model and modern mobile applications for their most critical business functions with solutions that meet their specialized functional and compliance needs. Our fiscal year end is January 31.

Initial Public Offering and Follow-on Offering

On October 21, 2013, we closed our initial public offering (IPO) of 15,001,750 shares of Class A common stock, which included 11,676,750 shares sold by us (inclusive of 1,956,750 shares issued upon the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters) and a total of 3,325,000 shares sold by certain selling stockholders. The public offering price of the shares was $20.00 per share. We did not receive any proceeds from the sales of shares by the selling stockholders. Our proceeds from the offering were $214.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and total offering expenses.

On March 31, 2014, we closed our follow-on offering of 13,800,000 shares of Class A common stock (inclusive of 1,800,000 shares sold upon the full exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters), which included 1,390,000 shares sold by us and a total of 12,410,000 shares sold by certain selling stockholders. The public offering price of the shares sold in the offering was $26.35 per share. We did not receive any proceeds from the sales of shares by the selling stockholders. Our proceeds from the offering were $34.5 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and total offering expenses.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. On a regular basis, management evaluates these estimates and assumptions. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to:

·	the best estimate of selling price of the deliverables included in multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements;

·	the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for business combinations;

·	the valuation of short-term investments and the determination of other-than-temporary impairments;

·	the valuation of building and land;

·	the realizability of deferred income tax assets;

·	the fair value of our stock-based awards and related forfeiture rates; and

·	the capitalization and estimated useful life of internal-use software development costs.

As future events cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance. We define the term “chief operating decision maker” to be our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer reviews the financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating our financial performance. Accordingly, we have determined that we operate in a single reportable operating segment. Since we operate in one operating segment, all required financial segment information can be found in the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We derive our revenues from two sources: (i) subscription services revenues, which are comprised of subscription fees from customers accessing our enterprise cloud computing solutions, and (ii) related professional services and other revenues. Professional services and other revenues generally include consulting, data services and training. We commence revenue recognition when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

·	there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement;

·	the service has been or is being provided to the customer;

·	the collection of the fees is reasonably assured; and

·	the amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable.

Our subscription services arrangements are generally non-cancelable and do not provide for refunds to customers in the event of cancellations. We record revenues net of any sales taxes.

Subscription Services Revenues

Subscription services revenues are recognized ratably over the order term beginning when the solution has been provisioned to the customer. Our subscription arrangements are considered service contracts, and the customer does not have the right to take possession of the software.

Professional Services and Other Revenues

The majority of our professional services arrangements are recognized on a time and material basis. Professional services revenues recognized on a time and material basis are measured monthly based on time incurred and contractually agreed upon rates. Certain professional services revenues are based on fixed fee arrangements and revenues are recognized based on progress against input measures, such as hours incurred. In some cases the terms of our time and materials and fixed fee arrangements may require that we defer the recognition of revenue until contractual conditions are met. Data services and training revenues are generally recognized as the services are performed.

Multiple Element Arrangements

We apply the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2009-13, Multiple—Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, to allocate revenues based on relative best estimated selling price to each unit of accounting in multiple element arrangements, which generally include subscriptions and professional services. Best estimated selling price of each unit of accounting included in a multiple element arrangement is based upon management’s estimate of the selling price of deliverables when vendor specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price is not available.

Our multiple element arrangements contain non-software deliverables such as our subscription offerings and professional services. For these arrangements we must: (i) determine whether each deliverable has stand-alone value; (ii) determine the estimated selling price of each element using the selling price hierarchy of vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value, third party evidence (TPE) or best estimated selling price (BESP), as applicable; and (iii) allocate the total price among the various deliverables based on the relative selling price method.

In determining whether professional services and other revenues have stand-alone value, we consider the following factors for each consulting agreement: availability of the consulting services from other vendors, the nature of the consulting services and whether the professional services are required in order for the customer to use the subscription services.

We have determined that we are not able to establish VSOE of fair value or TPE of selling price for any of our deliverables, and accordingly we use BESP for each deliverable in the arrangement. The objective of BESP is to estimate the price at which we would transact a sale of the service deliverables if the services were sold on a stand-alone basis. Revenue allocated to each deliverable is recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria are met for each deliverable.

We determine BESP for our subscription services included in a multiple element subscription arrangement by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, stated subscription renewal rates offered to the customer to renew the service and other major groupings such as customer type and geography.

BESP for professional services considers the discount of actual professional services sold compared to list price, the experience level of the individual performing the service and geography.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue includes amounts billed to customers for which the revenue recognition criteria have not been met. The majority of deferred revenue primarily consists of billings or payments received in advance of revenue recognition from our subscription services described above and is recognized as the revenue recognition criteria are met. We generally invoice our customers in annual, quarterly or monthly installments for the subscription services, which are typically contracted for a term of one year or less. Accordingly, the deferred revenue balance does not generally represent the total contract value of a subscription arrangement. Deferred revenue that will be recognized during the succeeding 12-month period is recorded as current deferred revenue.

Certain Risks and Concentrations of Credit Risk

Our revenues are derived from subscription services, professional services and other services delivered primarily to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. We operate in markets that are highly competitive and rapidly changing. Significant technological changes, shifting customer needs, the emergence of competitive products or services with new capabilities and other factors could negatively impact our operating results. Our financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade accounts receivable. Our cash equivalents and short-term investments are held in safekeeping by large, credit-worthy financial institutions. We have established guidelines relative to credit ratings, diversification and maturities that seek to maintain safety and liquidity. Deposits in these financial institutions may exceed federally insured limits.

We do not require collateral from our customers and generally require payment within 30 to 60 days of billing. We periodically evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable and provide an allowance for doubtful accounts as necessary, based on historical experience. Historically, such losses have not been material.

The following customers individually exceeded 10% of total accounts receivable as of the dates shown:

	January 31,
	2015		2014
Customer 1	*		*
Customer 2		11%		10%
Customer 3		16	*

*	Does not exceed 10%.

In our fiscal years ended January 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, our top 10 customers accounted for 54%, 56% and 54% of our total revenues, respectively. The following customers individually exceeded 10% of total revenues for the periods shown:

	Fiscal Year Ended January 31,
	2015	2014	2013
Customer 1	*	*		12%
Customer 2	*	*		11
Customer 3	*	*	*

*	Does not exceed 10%.

Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. We classify certain restricted cash balances within other long-term assets on the accompanying balance sheets based upon the term of the remaining restrictions.

Short-term Investments

We classify short-term investments as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluate such classification as of each balance sheet date. All short-term investments are recorded at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. We evaluate our investments to assess whether those with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. We consider impairments to be other than temporary if they are related to deterioration in credit risk or if it is likely we will sell the securities before the recovery of their cost basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income (expense), net, in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Interest, amortization of premiums, and accretion of discount on all short-term investments classified as available for sale are also included as a component of other income (expense), net, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

We may sell our short-term investments at any time, without significant penalty, for use in current operations or for other purposes, even if they have not yet reached maturity. As a result, we classify our investments, including securities with maturities beyond 12 months as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses expected in our accounts receivable portfolio. In establishing the required allowance, we use the specific-identification method, and management considers historical losses adjusted to take into account current market conditions and the customers’ financial condition, the amount of receivables in dispute, and the current receivables aging and current payment patterns. We review our allowance for doubtful accounts periodically. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Activity related to our allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Year Ended January 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Balance at beginning of period	$	305		$	305		$	300
Add: charges (credits) to costs and expenses		227			(35	)		317
Less: recoveries (write-offs)		(119	)		35			(312	)
Balance at end of period	$	413		$	305		$	305

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three to five years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvements or the lease term. We depreciate buildings over periods up to 30 years. Land is not depreciated. Construction in progress is related to the construction or development of property (including land) and equipment that have not yet been placed in service for our intended use. Depreciation for equipment commences once it is placed in service and depreciation for buildings and leasehold improvements commences once they are ready for our intended use. Upon sale or retirement, the asset’s cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the general ledger and any related gains or losses are reflected in operating expenses. Repairs and maintenance are charged to operations as incurred.

Internal-Use Software

We capitalize certain costs incurred for the development of computer software for internal use. These costs generally relate to the development of our customer relationship management, content management and collaboration and customer master solutions. We capitalize these costs during the development of the project, when it is determined that it is probable that the project will be completed, and the software will be used as intended. Costs related to preliminary project activities, post-implementation activities, training and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Internal-use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, generally three years, and the amortization expense is recorded as a component of cost of subscription services. Management evaluates the useful lives of these assets on an annual basis and tests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that could impact the recoverability of these assets. We exercise judgment in determining the point at which various projects may be capitalized, in assessing the ongoing value of the capitalized costs and in determining the estimated useful lives over which the costs are amortized. To the extent that we change the manner in which we develop and test new features and functionalities related to our solutions, assess the ongoing value of capitalized assets or determine the estimated useful lives over which the costs are amortized, the amount of internal-use software development costs we capitalize and amortize could change in future periods.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with business combinations accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Goodwill is not amortized, but instead goodwill is required to be tested for impairment annually and under certain circumstances. We perform such testing of goodwill in the fourth quarter of each year, or as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.

If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we then conduct a two-step test for impairment of goodwill. The first step of the test for goodwill impairment compares the fair value of the applicable reporting unit with its carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the reporting unit’s carrying value, we will perform the second step of the test for impairment of goodwill. During the second step of the test for impairment of goodwill, we will compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of that goodwill. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the calculated implied fair value, the excess amount will be recognized as an impairment loss. We have one reporting unit and evaluate goodwill for impairment at the entity level. We completed our annual impairment test in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, which did not result in any impairment of the goodwill balance.

All other intangible assets, consisting of data update technology, database, customer relationships and software, are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated remaining economic lives, ranging from 1.3 to 4.3 years. Amortization expense related to developed technology is included in cost of subscription services. Amortization expense related to customer relationships is included in sales and marketing expense.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, we first compare undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset or asset group to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment charges recognized during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Business Combinations

We use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially established in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. We continue to collect information and reevaluate these estimates and assumptions quarterly and record any adjustments to our preliminary estimates to goodwill provided that we are within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Stock-based Compensation

We recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs), based on the estimate of fair value of the award at the grant date. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and a single option award approach. This model requires that at the date of grant we determine the fair value of the underlying common stock, the expected term of the award, the expected volatility of the price of our common stock, risk-free interest rates, and expected dividend yield of our common stock. The compensation expense recorded is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and therefore is reduced by estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant based on an analysis of our actual historical forfeitures, and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized using a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally four to five years. We estimate a forfeiture rate to calculate the stock-based compensation expense for our awards.

The fair value of each stock based payment award and stock purchase right granted under the 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. We recognized stock-based compensation expenses related to our ESPP on a straight-line basis over the offering period, which was seven months.

The determination of the grant date fair value of stock based payment awards using an option-pricing model are affected by assumptions regarding a number of other complex and subjective variables, which include our expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the options, stock option exercise and cancellation behaviors, risk-free interest rates and expected dividends.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of subscription services and professional services and other revenues are expensed as incurred. Cost of subscription services revenues primarily consists of fees for our use of the Salesforce1 Platform, as well as other expenses such as data center operational costs, and personnel related costs to support our cloud infrastructure.

Cost of professional services and other revenues primarily consists of personnel related costs, and third-party sub-contractor costs associated with providing professional services.

Sales Commissions

Sales commissions paid for subscriptions are recorded as a component of sales and marketing expenses when earned. Commissions are typically earned upon booking of a customer contract. Sales commission expense was $13.2 million, $11.8 million and $6.6 million for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising is expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Advertising expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2013 was immaterial.

Foreign Currency Exchange

The functional currency for China, Japan and Brazil is their local currency and for all other foreign subsidiaries their functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars for those entities that do not have U.S. dollars as their functional currency are recorded as part of a separate component of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the consolidated statements of operations for the period. All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. Equity transactions are translated using historical exchange rates.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. When applicable, a valuation allowance is established to reduce any deferred tax asset when it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

We establish liabilities or reduce assets for uncertain tax positions when we believe certain tax positions are not more likely than not of being sustained if challenged. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining whether the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. If we determine that a tax position will more likely than not be sustained on audit, the second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating and estimating our tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. Determining whether an uncertain tax position is effectively settled requires judgment. Such a change in status or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our income tax expense.

Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated other comprehensive income is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity and include unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities that are available-for-sale and foreign currency translation adjustment.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 supersedes the existing revenue recognition guidance in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)” and will be effective for our fiscal year beginning February 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.