Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2018

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

We design, develop, produce and market innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions. We conduct our business through two reportable operating segments: Commercial Solutions and Government Solutions.

Our business is highly competitive and characterized by rapid technological change. Our growth and financial position depends 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, among other things. 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 or sales 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.

Revenue Recognition

Through July 31, 2018 (prior to our adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)"), 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 the FASB ASC 605-35 "Revenue Recognition - Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts" ("FASB 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.

Revenues 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, finalization of indirect rates or completion of the contract. We do not recognize revenue, or record unbilled receivables, until we receive fully funded orders.

In fiscal 2018, 75.2% and 24.8% 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.

Through July 31, 2018 (prior to our adoption of FASB ASU No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)"), 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 ASU No. 2009-13 "Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements - a Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force," which, among other things, requires revenue to be allocated to each element based on the relative selling price method.

Adoption of New Revenue Standard

Effective on August 1, 2018 (the start of our first quarter of fiscal 2019), we adopted FASB ASU No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)," which replaces numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry specific requirements, and provides a single revenue recognition model for contracts with customers. The core principle of the new standard is that a company should record revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In March 2016, April 2016, May 2016 and February 2017, FASB ASU Nos. 2016-08 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal Versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net)," 2016-10 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," 2016-12 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients" and 2017-05 "Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets" were issued, respectively, to clarify certain implementation matters related to the new revenue standard. The effective dates for these ASUs coincide with our August 1, 2018 adoption. As provided by the ASU, we adopted the new revenue recognition model using the modified retrospective method and there was no material impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In fiscal 2019, we expect to recognize a significant portion of our contracts over time, as there is a continuous transfer of control to the customer over the contractual period of performance. The remainder of our contracts will be recognized at a point in time. Both of these methods are similar to what we did prior to August 1, 2018.

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, 2018 and 2017, amounted to $43,484,000 and $41,844,000, respectively, and primarily consist of bank deposits and money market deposit accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Inventories

Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, the latter of which is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Our inventories are reduced to their estimated net realizable value by a charge to cost of sales in the period such excess costs are determined. Our inventories are principally recorded using either average or standard costing methods.

Work-in-process (including our contracts-in-progress) and finished goods inventory reflect 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. 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 cost of sales or work-in-process (including our contracts-in-progress) and finished goods inventory.

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 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 we fail the quantitative assessment of goodwill impairment ("quantitative assessment"), pursuant to our adoption of FASB ASU No. 2017-04 in fiscal 2017, we would be required to recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount that a reporting unit's carrying value exceeded its fair value; however, any loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We define our reporting units to be the same as our operating segments.

We performed our annual goodwill impairment assessment for fiscal 2019 on August 1, 2018 (the first day of our fiscal 2019). See Note (15) - "Goodwill" for more information. Unless there are future indicators that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not less than its carrying value, such as a significant adverse change in our future financial performance, our next impairment assessment for goodwill will be performed and completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Any impairment charges that we may record 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

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 2018, 2017 and 2016, we were reimbursed by customers for such activities in the amount of $16,924,000, $27,050,000 and $17,432,000, 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

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 "Income Taxes" 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

Our basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares (including vested but unissued stock units, share units, performance shares and 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, 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 the amount an employee must pay upon assumed exercise of stock-based awards and the amount of stock-based compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized. On August 1, 2017, we adopted ASU No. 2016-09, which amends several aspects of the accounting for and reporting of share-based payment transactions. As a result of our adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, the amount of excess tax benefits assuming exercise of in-the-money stock-based awards is no longer included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share on a prospective basis and the denominator for our diluted calculation could increase in the future as compared to prior calculations. See Note (11) - "Stock-Based Compensation" for more information on the impact of adopting ASU No. 2016-09.

Our basic and diluted EPS calculations for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 include the impact of common shares issued from a public offering in June 2016. There were no purchases of our common stock during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. See Note (17) - "Stockholders’ Equity" for more information.

Weighted average stock options, RSUs and restricted stock outstanding of 1,739,000, 1,986,000 and 2,350,000 shares for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, were not included in our diluted EPS calculation because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Our EPS calculations exclude 258,000, 228,000 and 147,000 weighted average performance shares outstanding for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as the performance conditions have not yet been satisfied. However, the compensation expense related to these awards is included in net income (loss) (the numerator) for EPS calculations for each respective period.

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

Using the fair value hierarchy described in FASB ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," we valued our cash and cash equivalents using Level 1 inputs that were based on quoted market prices.

We believe that the carrying amounts of our other current financial assets (such as accounts receivable) and other current liabilities (including accounts payable, accrued expenses and the current portions of our Secured Credit Facility and favorable AT&T warranty settlement) approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities.

The fair value of the non-current portion of our Secured Credit Facility as of July 31, 2018 approximates its carrying amount due to its variable interest rate and pricing grid that is dependent upon our leverage ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter. We believe the fair value of our non-current portion of capital lease and other obligations, which currently has a blended interest rate of 6.10%, would not be materially different than its carrying value as of July 31, 2018.

The fair value of the non-current portion of our favorable AT&T warranty settlement would not be materially different than its carrying value as of July 31, 2018, given our belief that the present value of such liability reflects market participants' assumptions for a similar junior, unsecured debt instrument. See Note (6) - "Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities" for further discussion of the favorable AT&T warranty settlement.

As of July 31, 2018 and 2017, other than the financial instruments discussed above, we had no other significant assets or liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets recorded at fair value, as such term is defined by FASB ASC 820.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales 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

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 (loss) was the same as our net income (loss) in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Updates

Adoption of Accounting Standards and Updates

We are required to prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the FASB ASC which is the source for all authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which are commonly referred to as "GAAP." The FASB ASC is subject to updates by the FASB, which are known as Accounting Standard Updates ("ASUs"). During fiscal 2018, we adopted:


•	FASB ASU No. 2016-09, which amends several aspects of the accounting for and reporting of share-based payment transactions. Our adoption of this ASU, on August 1, 2017, did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note (11) - "Stock-Based Compensation" for further information regarding our adoption of this ASU.

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FASB ASU No. 2016-15, which amends the guidance on the following cash flow related issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon and similar type debt instruments; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims (including those related to certain life insurance policies); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and cash receipts or payments with more than one class of cash flows. Our adoption of this ASU on February 1, 2018 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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FASB ASU No. 2017-09, which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in ASC Topic 718. An entity would not be required to account for changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification if there were no changes to the award’s fair value, vesting conditions and classification. Our adoption of this ASU on February 1, 2018 did not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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FASB ASU Nos. 2016-01 and 2018-03, which address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments, such as: amending the initial and subsequent measurement requirements for certain equity investments; eliminating the disclosure requirements related to the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; requiring the use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset or liability on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements. Adoption of these ASUs did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.