Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

(a) Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. and its subsidiaries (“Comtech,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), all of which are wholly-owned. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Nature of Business

(b) Nature of Business

We design, develop, produce and market innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions.

Our business is highly competitive and characterized by rapid technological change. Our growth and financial position depends, among other things, on our ability to keep pace with such changes and developments and to respond to the sophisticated requirements of an increasing variety of electronic equipment users. Many of our competitors are substantially larger, and have significantly greater financial, marketing and operating resources and broader product lines than us. A significant technological breakthrough by others, including smaller competitors or new companies, could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, certain of our customers have technological capabilities in our product areas and could choose to replace our products with their own.

International sales expose us to certain risks, including barriers to trade, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates (which may make our products less price competitive), political and economic instability, availability of suitable export financing, export license requirements, tariff regulations, and other United States (“U.S.”) and foreign regulations that may apply to the export of our products, as well as the generally greater difficulties of doing business abroad. We attempt to reduce the risk of doing business in foreign countries by seeking contracts denominated in U.S. dollars, advance or milestone payments, credit insurance and irrevocable letters of credit in our favor.

The vast majority of sales in our mobile data communications segment have historically come from sales relating to the U.S. Army's MTS and BFT-1 programs. Our combined MTS and BFT-1 net sales for fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2013 were as follows:

	Net Sales		Percentage of Mobile Data Communications Segment Net Sales		Percentage of Consolidated Net Sales
2013	$	29,061,000	76.0	%	9.1	%
2012	87,769,000		78.0	%	20.6	%
2011	248,578,000		86.2	%	40.6	%

We are currently providing BFT-1 sustainment services and licensing certain of our intellectual property to the U.S. Army pursuant to a two-year $43,629,000 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity ("IDIQ") BFT-1 sustainment contract, which replaced a prior three-year IDIQ BFT-1 sustainment contract that had not a not-to-exceed value of $80,731,000. In April 2013, due to budget pressures and administrative issues placed on the U.S. Army by the Continuing Resolution and Sequester, the U.S. government requested, and we agreed, to modify the terms of the three-year BFT-1 sustainment contract. Funding for Year One of the two-year BFT-1 sustainment contract (which had a performance period from April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013) was definitized at $22,773,000 (including the annual $10,000,000 intellectual property license fee) and funding for Year Two (which has a performance period from April 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014) was definitized at $20,856,000 (including the annual $10,000,000 intellectual property license fee). Under the terms of the two-year contract, we agreed to perform certain satellite network and related engineering services (including program management) on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis and the U.S. Army is required to pay us an annual $10,000,000 intellectual property license fee. Specific terms and conditions related to the intellectual property license are covered by a separate licensing agreement that provides for annual renewals, at the U.S. Army's option, for up to a five-year period ending March 31, 2017, after which time the U.S. Army will have a limited non-exclusive right to use certain of our intellectual property for no additional intellectual property licensing fee.

Revenue Recognition, Policy

(c) Revenue Recognition

Revenue is generally recognized when the earnings process is complete, upon shipment or customer acceptance. Revenue from contracts relating to the design, development or manufacture of complex electronic equipment to a buyer’s specification or to provide services relating to the performance of such contracts is generally recognized in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-35 “Revenue Recognition — Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts” (“ASC 605-35”). We primarily apply the percentage-of-completion method and generally recognize revenue based on the relationship of total costs incurred to total projected costs, or, alternatively, based on output measures, such as units delivered or produced. Profits expected to be realized on such contracts are based on total estimated sales for the contract compared to total estimated costs, including warranty costs, at completion of the contract. These estimates are reviewed and revised periodically throughout the lives of the contracts, and adjustments to profits resulting from such revisions are made cumulative to the date of the change. Provision for anticipated losses on uncompleted contracts is made in the period in which such losses become evident. Long-term, U.S. government, cost-reimbursable type contracts are also specifically covered by FASB ASC 605-35.

We have historically demonstrated an ability to estimate contract revenues and expenses in applying the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. However, there exist inherent risks and uncertainties in estimating future revenues and expenses, particularly on larger or longer-term contracts. Changes to such estimates could have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Revenue recognized in excess of amounts billable under long-term contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method are recorded as unbilled receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Unbilled receivables are billable upon various events, including the attainment of performance milestones, delivery of hardware, submission of progress bills based on time and materials, or completion of the contract. We do not recognize revenue, or record unbilled receivables, until we receive fully funded orders.

In fiscal 2013, 85.6% and 14.4% of our consolidated U.S. government net sales were derived from firm fixed-price and cost-reimbursable type contracts, respectively. Under firm fixed-price contracts, we perform for an agreed-upon price and we can derive benefits from cost savings, but bear the risk of cost overruns. Our cost-reimbursable type contracts typically provide for reimbursement of allowable costs incurred plus a negotiated fee. Cost-plus-incentive-fee orders typically provide for sharing with the U.S. government savings accrued from orders performed for less than the target costs and costs incurred in excess of targets up to a negotiated ceiling price (which is higher than the target cost), and for the supplier to carry the entire burden of costs exceeding the negotiated ceiling price.

Most government contracts have termination for convenience clauses that provide the customer with the right to terminate the contract at any time. Historically, we have not experienced material contract terminations or write-offs of unbilled receivables. We address customer acceptance provisions in assessing our ability to perform our contractual obligations under long-term contracts. Historically, we have been able to perform on our long-term contracts.

Revenues from contracts that contain multiple elements that are not accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 605-25 “Revenue Recognition — Multiple Element Arrangements,” as amended by FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-13, which, among other things, requires revenue to be allocated to each element based on the relative selling price method.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Our cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and have insignificant risk of change in value as a result of changes in interest rates. Our cash and cash equivalents, as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, amounted to $356,642,000 and $367,894,000, respectively, and primarily consist of money market mutual funds (both government and commercial), certificates of deposit, bank deposits and U.S. Treasury securities (with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less). Many of our money market mutual funds invest in direct obligations of the U.S. government, bank securities guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, certificates of deposits and commercial paper and other securities issued by other companies. None of our cash equivalents include municipal auction-rate securities. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair market value.

Inventories

(e) Inventories

Raw materials and components and finished goods inventory are stated at the lower of cost or market, computed on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.

Work-in-process inventory reflects all accumulated production costs, which are comprised of direct production costs and overhead, and is reduced by amounts recorded in cost of sales as the related revenue is recognized. These inventories are reduced to their estimated net realizable value by a charge to cost of sales in the period such excess costs are determined. Indirect costs relating to long-term contracts, which include expenses such as general and administrative, are charged to expense as incurred and are not included in our work-in-process (including our contracts-in-progress) inventory or cost of sales.

Long-Lived Assets

(f) Long-Lived Assets

Our machinery and equipment, which are recorded at cost, are depreciated or amortized over their estimated useful lives (three to eight years) under the straight-line method. Capitalized values of properties and leasehold improvements under leases are amortized over the life of the lease or the estimated life of the asset, whichever is less.

Goodwill represents the excess cost of a business acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. In accordance with the FASB ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” goodwill is not amortized. We periodically, at least on an annual basis in the first quarter of each fiscal year, review goodwill, considering factors such as projected cash flows and revenue and earnings multiples, to determine whether the carrying value of the goodwill is impaired. If the goodwill is deemed to be impaired, the difference between the carrying amount reflected in the financial statements and the estimated fair value is recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs. We define our reporting units to be the same as our operating segments.

We performed our annual goodwill impairment test for fiscal 2014 on August 1, 2013 (the start of our first quarter of fiscal 2014). See Note (15) - "Goodwill" for more information on goodwill impairment testing. Unless there are future indicators of impairment, such as a significant adverse change in our future financial performance, our next impairment review for goodwill will be performed and completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Any impairment charges that we may take in the future could be material to our results of operations and financial condition.

We assess the recoverability of the carrying value of our other long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. We evaluate the recoverability of such assets based upon the expectations of undiscounted cash flows from such assets. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows were less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss would be recognized for the difference between the fair value and the carrying amount.

Research and Development Costs

(g) Research and Development Costs

We charge research and development costs to operations as incurred, except in those cases in which such costs are reimbursable under customer funded contracts. In fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, we were reimbursed by customers for such activities in the amount of $5,172,000, $5,665,000 and $10,703,000, respectively. These amounts are not reflected in the reported research and development expenses in each of the respective periods, but are included in net sales with the related costs included in cost of sales in each of the respective periods.

Income Taxes

(h) 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 the 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.

We determine the uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10-25, which prescribes a two-step evaluation process for tax positions. The first step is recognition based on a determination of whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The second step is to measure a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the benefit of that position is not recognized in the financial statements. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Earnings Per Share

(i) Earnings Per Share

Our basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed based on the weighted average number of shares, including fully-vested stock units and vested restricted stock units ("RSUs"), outstanding during each respective period. Our diluted EPS reflects the dilution from potential common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of equity-classified stock-based awards and convertible senior notes, if dilutive, outstanding during each respective period. Pursuant to FASB ASC 260, "Earnings Per Share," equity-classified stock-based awards that are subject to performance conditions are not considered in our diluted EPS calculations until the respective performance conditions have been satisfied. When calculating our diluted earnings per share, we consider (i) the amount an employee must pay upon assumed exercise of stock-based awards; (ii) the amount of stock-based compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized; and (iii) the amount of excess tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of in-the-money stock-based awards. This excess tax benefit is the amount resulting from a tax deduction for compensation in excess of compensation expense, based on the Black Scholes option pricing model, recognized for financial reporting purposes.

Equity-classified stock-based awards to purchase 2,701,000, 2,169,000 and 2,486,000 shares for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were not included in our diluted EPS calculation because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Our EPS calculations exclude 39,000 and 5,000 weighted average RSUs with performance measures (known as performance shares) outstanding for fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively, as the respective performance conditions have not yet been satisfied. However, the compensation expense related to these awards is included in net income (the numerator) for EPS calculations for each respective period. In fiscal 2011, there were no outstanding performance shares.

The weighted-average basic and diluted shares outstanding for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 reflect a reduction of approximately 453,000, 4,350,000 and 1,781,000 shares as a result of the repurchase of our common shares during the respective periods. See Note (17) – “Stockholders’ Equity” for more information on our stock repurchase program.

Liability-classified stock-based awards do not impact and are not included in the denominator for EPS calculations.

The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the basic and diluted EPS calculations:

	Fiscal Years Ended July 31,
	2013		2012	2011
Numerator:
Net income for basic calculation	$	17,808,000	32,416,000	67,895,000
Effect of dilutive securities:
Interest expense (net of tax) on 3.0% convertible senior notes	4,468,000		4,468,000	4,468,000
Numerator for diluted calculation	$	22,276,000	36,884,000	72,363,000
Denominator:
Denominator for basic calculation	16,963,000		19,995,000	26,842,000
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock-based awards	91,000		228,000	215,000
Conversion of 3.0% convertible senior notes	6,010,000		5,768,000	5,566,000
Denominator for diluted calculation	23,064,000		25,991,000	32,623,000

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

(j) Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

In accordance with FASB ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” we determined that, as of July 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair value of our 3.0% convertible senior notes was approximately $208,080,000 and $211,920,000, respectively, based on quoted market prices in an active market. Our 3.0% convertible senior notes are not marked-to-market and are shown on the accompanying balance sheet at their original issuance value. As such, changes in the estimated fair value of our 3.0% convertible senior notes are not recorded in our consolidated financial statements.

As of July 31, 2013 and 2012, we had approximately $50,182,000 and $84,610,000, respectively, of money market mutual funds which are classified as cash and cash equivalents in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These money market mutual funds are recorded at their current fair value. FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires us to define fair value as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, using the fair value hierarchy described in FASB ASC 820, we valued our money market mutual funds using Level 1 inputs that were based on quoted market prices.

At July 31, 2013 and 2012, we had a contingent earn-out liability relating to our acquisition of Stampede Technologies, Inc. (“Stampede”) of $288,000 and $3,519,000, respectively, which is recorded at current fair value using Level 3 inputs, primarily management's estimates of future sales and cash flows relating to the earn-out, which also incorporated market participant expectations. See Note (2) - "Acquisitions."

As of July 31, 2013 and 2012, other than our cash and cash equivalents and our contingent earn-out liability, we had no other assets or liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets recorded at current fair value. If we acquire different types of assets or incur different types of liabilities in the future, we might be required to use different FASB ASC fair value methodologies.

Use of Estimates

(k) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. We make significant estimates in many areas of our accounting, including but not limited to the following: long-term contracts, stock-based compensation, intangible assets including goodwill, provision for excess and obsolete inventory, allowance for doubtful accounts, warranty obligations and income taxes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Comprehensive Income

(l) Comprehensive Income

In accordance with FASB ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income,” we report all changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investment by owners and distribution to owners, for the period in which they are recognized. Comprehensive income is the total of net income and all other non-owner changes in equity (or other comprehensive income) such as unrealized gains/losses on securities classified as available-for-sale, foreign currency translation adjustments and minimum pension liability adjustments. Comprehensive income was the same as net income in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Reclassifications

(m) Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to previously reported consolidated financial statements to conform to the fiscal 2013 presentation.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

(n) Adoption of Accounting Standards and Updates

We are required to prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) which is the source for all authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which is commonly referred to as “GAAP.” The FASB ASC is subject to updates by FASB, which are known as Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”). The following FASB ASUs have been issued and incorporated into the FASB ASC and adopted by us in fiscal 2013:

• On February 1, 2013, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2013-02, which requires, among other things, entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Our adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures, because we do not have any other component of comprehensive income except for net income.

• On July 17, 2013, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2013-10, which included the "Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate" as a permitted U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under ASC Topic 815 - "Derivatives and Hedging." Prior to this ASU, only the interest rates on direct Treasury obligations of the U.S. government or the LIBOR swap rate were considered acceptable benchmark interest rates for hedge accounting purposes. This ASU also removed the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. This ASU is effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. Our adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures, because we do not have any hedges.