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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
May. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include Electro Rent Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Electro Rent, LLC, ER International, Inc., Electro Rent Europe NV, Electro Rent Asia, Inc. and Electro Rent (Beijing) Test and Measurement Equipment Rental Co., Ltd. (collectively “we”, “us”, or “our” hereafter). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Business and Organization
Business and Organization: We are a global organization devoted to the rental, lease and sale of new and used electronic test and measurement (“T&M”) equipment. We purchase T&M equipment from leading manufacturers such as Keysight Technologies, Inc. (formerly Agilent Technologies, Inc., “Keysight”), Anritsu, Inc., Rohde & Schwarz Gmbh & Co. KG and Tektronix Inc. Our customers rent, lease and buy our T&M equipment, and use that equipment primarily in the aerospace and defense, telecommunications, electronics, industrial and semiconductor markets.
In addition, although it represented only approximately 8.3% of our revenues in fiscal 2015, our Data Products ("DP") division is a large United States rental company offering personal computers from manufacturers including Dell, HP, IBM, Toshiba and Apple.
Our reseller agreement with Keysight was not renewed after its May 31, 2015 expiration date. The expiration of the Keysight reseller agreement is expected to materially affect our revenues and net profits.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as well as the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of these financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On a regular basis, we review these estimates including those related to asset lives and depreciation methods, impairment of long-lived assets, including rental and lease equipment, goodwill and intangibles, allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. These estimates are based on our evaluation of current business and economic conditions, historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe, however, that our estimates, including those for the above-listed items, are reasonable.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition: We generate revenues primarily through the rental and leasing of T&M and DP equipment and through the sale of new and used equipment. Rental revenues comprise short term agreements that can be daily, weekly or monthly. Rental revenues are recognized in the month they are due on the accrual basis of accounting. Our operating lease agreements have varying terms, typically one to three years. Upon lease termination, customers have the option to renew the lease term, purchase the equipment at fair market value, or continue to rent on a month-to-month basis. Our operating leases do not provide for contingent rentals. Revenues related to operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Negotiated lease early-termination charges are recognized upon receipt. Rentals and leases are primarily billed to customers in advance, and unearned billings are recorded as deferred revenue.
We enter into finance leases as lessor for some of our equipment. Our finance lease agreements contain bargain purchase options and are accounted for as sale-type leases. Revenues from finance leases, which are recorded at the present value of the aggregate future lease payments, net of unearned interest, are included in sales of equipment and other revenues in our consolidated statements of operations. Unearned interest is recognized over the life of the finance lease term using the effective interest method. Our finance lease terms vary, and are typically one to three years. The net investment in finance leases, which represents the receivables due from lessees, net of unearned interest, is included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Historically, we have not required security deposits based on our assessed credit risk within our customer bases.
Initial direct costs for operating and finance leases are insignificant.
Sales of new equipment through our resale channel are recognized in the period in which the equipment is delivered and risk of loss passes to the customer, while sales of used equipment from our rental and lease equipment pool are recognized in the period in which the equipment is shipped and risk of loss passes to the customer. In the case of equipment sold to customers that is already on rent or lease to the same party, revenue is recognized at the agreed-upon date when the rent or lease term ends and risk of loss passes to the customer.
In accordance with accounting guidance, through May 31, 2015, we acted as the principal with respect to sales of new equipment through our Keysight resale agreement, based on several factors, including: (1) We acted as the primary obligor by working directly with our customers to define their needs, providing them with options to satisfy such needs, contracting directly with the customer, and, to the extent required, providing customers with instruction on the use of the product and additional technical support once the product was received by the customer. The product manufacturer was not a party to our customer sales agreements, nor was it referenced in the agreements, and therefore had no obligation to our customers with the exception of the manufacturer’s standard warranty on the product. (2) We bore back-end risk of inventory loss with respect to any product return from the customer as the original manufacturer was not required to accept returns of equipment from us. We also bore front-end risk of inventory loss in those cases where we acquired products for resale into our inventory prior to shipment to customers. (3) We had full discretion in setting pricing terms with our customers and to negotiate all such terms ourselves. (4) We assumed all credit risk. Accordingly, sales of new equipment through our resale channel were recorded in sales of equipment and other revenues and the related equipment costs were recorded in costs of sales of equipment and other revenues in our consolidated statements of operations.
Other revenues, consisting primarily of billings to customers for delivery and repairs, are recognized in the period in which the respective services are performed.
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses: Costs of rentals and leases, excluding depreciation, primarily include labor related costs of our operations personnel, supplies, repairs, insurance and warehousing costs associated with our rental and lease equipment, relating to our rental and lease revenues.
Costs of sales of equipment and other revenues primarily include the cost of new equipment and the carrying value of used equipment sold.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include sales and advertising costs, payroll and related benefit costs, insurance expenses, property taxes on our property and rental and lease equipment, legal and professional fees, and administrative overhead. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Total advertising expenses were $928, $982 and $982 for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include shipping and handling costs of $3,953, $3,977 and $3,951 for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Rental and Lease Equipment and Other Property
Rental and Lease Equipment and Other Property: Assets are generally stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized. We depreciate our buildings over 31.5 years, furniture and other equipment over three to ten years, and leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lease period, typically three to five years, or useful life. Each is depreciated on a straight-line basis. Depreciation of rental and lease equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. We depreciated $440,495 and $427,005 of equipment, at acquisition cost, at May 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, using straight-line methods ranging from two to ten years, and $32,292 and $32,034 of equipment, at acquisition cost, at May 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, using accelerated methods ranging from two to four years. We generally use straight-line methods for our T&M equipment, which we believe maintains its value consistently throughout the equipment’s useful life, and accelerated methods primarily for our DP equipment, which tends to depreciate faster due to frequent technological advancements. Depreciation methods and useful lives are periodically reviewed and revised, as deemed appropriate, including revisions to reflect shorter useful lives to more closely match depreciation expense with rental revenue for rental arrangements where the customer can acquire title through payment of all required rentals. Normal maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation expense for rental and lease equipment was $56,445, $57,034 and $56,795 for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Rental and lease equipment at net book value was comprised of $225,222 of T&M equipment and $6,449 of DP equipment at May 31, 2015, and $217,288 of T&M equipment and $4,601 of DP equipment at May 31, 2014.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes: We recognize a liability or asset for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. These temporary differences will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are periodically reviewed for recoverability.
We recognize the tax impact from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax impact recognized in the financial statements from such a position is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. We recognize interest, penalties and foreign currency gains and losses with respect to uncertain tax positions as components of our income tax provision. Accrued interest and penalties are included within accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet. Significant judgment is required in the identification of uncertain tax positions and in the estimation of penalties and interest on uncertain tax positions (see Note 5 for further discussion.)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The carrying value of equipment held for rental and lease is assessed when circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of equipment may not be recoverable. Recoverability of equipment to be rented and leased is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the current carrying value exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the difference between the asset’s current carrying value and its fair value as described in FASB ASC Topics No. 360, Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets and No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Based upon such periodic assessments, no impairments occurred during fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill: Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired is discussed further in Note 3. Pursuant to FASB ASC Topic No. 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, goodwill is not amortized but tested annually for impairment, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. In connection with the annual impairment test for goodwill, we have elected the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we perform the impairment test. The impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step involves comparing the fair values of the applicable reporting units with their aggregate carrying values, including goodwill. We generally determine the fair value of our reporting units using the market approach methodology of valuation. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, we perform the second step of the test to determine the amount of impairment loss. The second step involves measuring the impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill with its carrying value. We completed the required impairment review at the end of fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 and concluded that there were no impairments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents: We consider highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. We held no cash equivalents at May 31, 2015 and 2014 except for the money market funds that are part of our supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) assets included in other assets.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make rental and lease payments. The estimated losses are based on historical collection experience in conjunction with an evaluation of the current status of the existing accounts. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, then additional allowances could be required that would reduce income. Conversely, if the financial condition of our customers were to improve or if legal remedies to collect past due amounts were more successful than expected, then the allowance for doubtful accounts may need to be reduced and income would be increased.
Other Assets
Other Assets: We include demonstration equipment used in connection with our resale activity, totaling $81 and $6,659 as of May 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in other assets for a period up to two years. Demonstration equipment is recorded at the lower of cost or estimated market value until the units are transferred to our rental and lease equipment pool. Once transferred to our rental and lease equipment pool, the equipment is depreciated over its remaining estimated useful life. The demonstration equipment included in other assets during fiscal 2015 and 2014 primarily related to Keysight resale agreement. The Keysight agreement expired on May 31, 2015.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk: Financial instruments that potentially expose us to concentration of credit risk primarily consist of trade accounts receivable. To mitigate the risk, we sell primarily on 30-day terms, perform credit evaluation procedures on each customer’s individual transactions and require security deposits or personal guarantees from our customers when significant credit risks are identified. Typically, most customers are large, established firms.
We purchase rental and lease equipment from numerous vendors and, through May 31, 2015, resale equipment from Keysight. During fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, Keysight accounted for approximately 70.7%, 65.6% and 74.0%, respectively, of all new equipment purchases, including rental equipment and equipment purchased for resale. No other vendor accounted for more than 10% of such purchases.
Foreign Currency
Foreign Currency: The U.S. dollar has been determined to be the functional currency of all foreign subsidiaries. The assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are remeasured from their local currency to U.S. dollars at current or historic exchange rates, as appropriate. Revenues and expenses are remeasured from foreign currencies to U.S. dollars using historic or average monthly exchange rates, as appropriate, for the month in which the transaction occurred. Remeasurement gains and losses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses or income taxes, as appropriate. The assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of our foreign subsidiaries are individually less than 10% of our respective consolidated amounts. The euro, Canadian dollar and Chinese yuan are our primary foreign currencies. Net remeasurement gains and losses have not been significant.
We enter into forward contracts to hedge against unfavorable currency fluctuations in our monetary assets and liabilities in our European and Canadian operations. These contracts are designed to minimize the effect of fluctuations in foreign currencies. To qualify for hedge accounting, contracts must reduce the foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risk otherwise inherent in the amount and duration of the hedged exposures and comply with established risk management policies. Our derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments and, therefore, are recorded at fair value as an asset or liability, and any changes in fair value are recorded in our consolidated statements of operations. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share
Net Income Per Common and Common Equivalent Share: Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and shares issuable for vested restricted stock units for the reported year, excluding the dilutive effects of any potentially dilutive securities. Diluted EPS is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding of common stock and common stock equivalents for the reported year. The dilutive effect of restricted stock units is computed using the treasury stock method.
Stock-Based Compensation
Share-Based Compensation: Share-based payments to employees are recognized in the consolidated financial statements as compensation expense over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award based on its fair value on the date of grant. Compensation expense resulting from restricted stock units is measured at fair value on the date of grant and is recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses over the vesting period (see Note 11 for further discussion).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance which requires entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the tax law. The guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations, balance sheets, or statements of cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") issued guidance to establish a new, more robust framework for the recognition of revenue related to the transfer of goods and services to customers. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The impact this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements cannot be determined at this time.
Other Comprehensive Income
Other Comprehensive Income: Comprehensive income is equivalent to net income for all periods presented.