Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements included herein include the accounts of Cousins Properties Incorporated (“Cousins”) and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Cousins Real Estate Corporation and its subsidiaries (“CREC”). All of the entities included in the consolidated financial statements are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Company.”

The Company develops, acquires, leases, manages, and owns primarily Class A office properties and opportunistic mixed-use developments in Sunbelt markets with a focus on Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina. Cousins has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and intends to, among other things, distribute 90% of its net taxable income to stockholders, thereby eliminating any liability for federal income taxes under current law. Therefore, the results included herein do not include a federal income tax provision for Cousins. CREC operates as a taxable REIT subsidiary and is taxed separately from Cousins as a C-Corporation. Accordingly, if applicable, the statements of operations include a provision for, or benefit from, CREC's income taxes.

The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and were prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary (which adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature) for the fair presentation of the Company's financial position as of March 31, 2014 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The accounting policies employed are substantially the same as those shown in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in such Form 10-K.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no items of other comprehensive income. Therefore, no presentation of comprehensive income is required.

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance related to the presentation of discontinued operations. Currently, the Company includes activity for all assets held for sale and disposals in discontinued operations on the statements of operations. Under the new guidance, only assets held for sale and disposals representing a major strategic shift in operations, such as the disposal of a line of business, a significant geographical area, or a major equity investment, will be presented as discontinued operations. Additionally, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide more information about their assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company does not expect adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on results of operations or financial condition.