Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies:

Condensed consolidated financial statements

Condensed consolidated financial statements

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  The results of operations for the periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full years.

Basis of presentation

Basis of presentation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements include majority owned subsidiaries of 51% or more.    The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

As shown in the accompanying financial statements, the Company has a significant accumulated deficit of $4,182,992 as of September 30, 2015. The Company also continues to experience negative cash flows from operations. The Company will be required to raise additional capital to fund its operations, and will continue to attempt to raise capital resources from both related and unrelated parties until such time as the Company is able to generate revenues sufficient to maintain itself as a viable entity. These factors have raised substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to raise additional capital or achieve profitability. However, the Company has 13 million warrants outstanding, any fraction of which the Company can reset the exercise price substantially below the current market price, see Note 9.   These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

The Company raised approximately $313,407 from partial warrant redemptions from February 9, 2015 through September 30, 2015, see Note 9.  In addition, in August 2015, the Company received $120,000 in exchange for to-be created Mentor Series C convertible preferred shares.  The Company estimates it has adequate cash reserves to support three to six months of operation.  Management's plans include increasing revenues through acquisition, investment, and organic growth.  This is to be funded by raising additional capital through the sale of equity securities and debt.

Concentrations of cash

Concentrations of cash

The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts which at times may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts nor does the Company believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all short-term debt securities purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had no short-term debt securities as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable

Customer accounts receivable are classified as current assets and are carried at original invoice amounts less an estimate for doubtful receivables based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis.  The estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company's bad debt experience, market conditions, collateral available, and aging of accounts receivable, among other factors. If the financial condition of the Company's customers deteriorates resulting in the customer's inability to pay the Company's receivables as they come due, additional allowances for doubtful accounts will be required. At September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company has recorded an allowance in the amount of $13,100 and $0, respectively.

Investment in unconsolidated entity

Investment in unconsolidated entity

Prior to acquiring a controlling interest in WCI on January 1, 2014, Mentor accounted for the investment in WCI using the equity method based on the ownership interest and the Company’s limited ability to exercise significant influence at December 31, 2013.  Accordingly, the investment was initially recorded at cost with adjustments to the carrying amount of the investment to recognize our share of the earnings or losses of the investee each reporting period.  Mentor ceased to recognize losses when our investment basis was zero.  At December 31, 2013, the WCI investment was $0.  On January 1, 2014, the Company purchased an additional 1% interest in WCI for a 51% interest, see Note 17. 

Convertible note receivable

Convertible note receivable

The 5% convertible note receivable from Electrum Partners, LLC (Electrum) is recorded at the loan amount of $100,000 plus accrued interest of $7,772 and $4,942 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 

Long term investments

Long term investments

The Company’s investments in entities where it is a minority owner and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are recorded at fair value if readily determinable.  If the fair market value is not readily determinable, the investment is recorded under the cost-method. Under this method, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of such investee company is not included in the Company’s financial statements. The Company reviews the carrying value of its long term investments for impairment each reporting period.

Investment in account receivable, net of discount

Investment in account receivable, net of discount

The Company invested $90,000 for an account receivable and promissory note in the amount of $117,000 on July 8, 2014 which was due on or before January 15, 2015.  The note was paid and extinguished in March 2015.  On April 10, 2015, the Company entered into an exchange agreement whereby the Company received an investment in account receivable with installment payments of $117,000 per year for 11 years totaling $1,287,000 in exchange for 757,059 shares of Mentor stock obtained through exercise of series D warrants at $1.60 per share. 

The investments were recorded at face value with an offsetting discount at the time of purchase or exchange.  The discount is amortized to interest income over the term of the notes.

Note receivable - MicroCannaBiz and member

Note receivable – MicroCannaBiz and member

Mentor converted all amounts previously invested in MCB to a note receivable on April 27, 2015, as provided in the funding agreement with MCB.  The note is reported at the amount invested plus accrued and unpaid interest at September 30, 2015.

Property, equipment and machinery

Property, equipment and machinery

Property, equipment and machinery are recorded at cost.  Depreciation is computed on the straight-line and declining balance methods over the estimated useful lives of various classes of property ranging from 3 to 7 years.

Database and website development costs relate to development of CAST’s website and webcast subscriber base.  Database and website development costs are amortized over 2 years upon launch of the website. 

Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized and maintenance and repairs are charged to expense.  Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed and the accumulated depreciation is removed from the accounts.  The resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income.

Goodwill

Goodwill

Goodwill of $1,324,142 was derived from consolidating WCI effective January 1, 2014, see Note 17, and $102,040 of goodwill related to the 1999 acquisition of a 50% interest in WCI.  Goodwill of $466,765 was recorded on the April 20, 2015 acquisition of CAST, see Note 18.  The Company accounts for its Goodwill in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, which requires the Company to test goodwill for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, rather than amortize. Goodwill impairment tests consist of a comparison of each reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying value. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value for each reporting unit. To estimate the fair value, management used valuation techniques which included the discounted value of estimated future cash flows. The evaluation of impairment requires the Company to make assumptions about future cash flows over the life of the asset being evaluated. These assumptions require significant judgment and are subject to change as future events and circumstances change. Actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts. Management determined that no impairment write-downs were required as of December 31, 2014.  There have been no changes in circumstances that would indicate an impairment at September 30, 2015.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition”. The Company records revenue under each contract oncepersuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have beenrendered, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share

Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share

Basic net income (loss) per common share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS adjusts basic net income (loss) per common share, computed using the treasury stock method, for the effects of potentially dilutive common shares, if the effect is not antidilutive.   In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is antidilutive. Outstanding warrants that had no effect on the computation of dilutive weighted average number of shares outstanding as their effect would be antidilutive were approximately 13,635,213 and 15,198,425 as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  There were 4,500 potentially dilutive shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Based on the April 20, 2015 CAST liquidity agreement formula for conversion of the convertible security to common shares, there were 144,085 contingently convertible shares at September 30, 2015

Income taxes

Income taxes

We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.  A valuation is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Generally accepted accounting principles provide accounting and disclosure guidance about positions taken by an organization in its tax returns that might be uncertain. Management considers the likelihood of changes by taxing authorities in its filed income tax returns and recognizes a liability for or discloses potential changes that management believes are more likely than not to occur upon examination by tax authorities. 

Management has not identified any uncertain tax positions in filed income tax returns that require recognition or disclosure in the accompanying financial statements.  The Company’s income tax returns for the past three years are subject to examination by tax authorities, and may change upon examination. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense.

Advertising and promotion

Advertising and promotion

The Company expenses advertising and promotion costs as incurred.  Advertising and promotion costs for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $6,495 and $41,720, respectively.  Advertising and promotion costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were $51,237 and $47,338, respectively.

Use of estimates

Use of estimates

                The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future, actual results ultimately may differ from these estimates.

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal, or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  The valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic establish a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the valuation inputs into three broad levels.  These three general valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:  Market approach (Level 1) – which uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.  Prices may be indicated by pricing guides, sale transactions, market trades, or other sources.  Cost approach (Level 2) – which is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost); and the Income approach (Level 3) – which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectations about the future amounts (including present value techniques, and option-pricing models).  Net present value is an income approach where a stream of expected cash flows is discounted at an appropriate market interest rate.

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, customer deposits and other accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The fair value of the investment in account receivable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principle payments.  The carrying value approximates fair value as interest rates charged are comparable to market rates for similar investments.

The fair value of the note receivable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principle payments.  The carrying value approximates fair value as interest rates charged are comparable to market rates for similar notes.

The fair value of long-term notes payable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principle payments.  The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value due to the fact that the interest rate on the debt is based on market rates. 

Recent Accounting Standards

Recent Accounting Standards

The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect.  These pronouncements did not have any material impact on the financial statements and the Company does not believe that there are any other new accounting pronouncements that have been issued that might have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.