Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The financial statements of the Company have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

The consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In management’s opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year. Pursuant to SEC rules and regulations, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted from these statements. The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the AutoInfo, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Sunteck Transport Group, Inc. and E-Transport Group, Inc. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. The Company believes that all such assumptions are reasonable and that all estimates are adequate, however, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Gross revenues from transportation services consist of the total dollar value of services purchased by shippers. Revenue is recognized upon delivery of freight, at which time the related transportation cost, including commission, is also recognized. At that time, the Company’s obligations are completed and collection of receivables is reasonably assured. Gross revenues and profits from agent support services consist primarily of interest on interest bearing loans.

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605-45 “Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations” (ASC 605-45), establishes criteria for recognizing revenues on a gross or net basis. The Company is the primary obligor in its transactions, has all credit risk, maintains substantially all risk and rewards, has discretion in selecting the supplier, and has latitude in pricing decisions. Accordingly, the Company records all transactions at the gross amount, consistent with the provisions of ASC 605-45.

Income on all loans is recognized on the interest method. Accrual of interest is suspended at the earlier of the time at which collection becomes doubtful or the loan becomes delinquent. Interest income on impaired loans is recognized either as cash is collected or on a cost-recovery basis as conditions warrant.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks.

Provision for Doubtful Accounts

Provision For Doubtful Accounts

The Company continuously monitors the creditworthiness of its customers and has established an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future based on current economic trends, its historical payment and bad debt write-off experience, and any specific customer related collection issues.

Fixed Assets

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, consisting primarily of furniture, fixtures and equipment and computer system development costs, were carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of fixed assets was provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which range from three to five years.

Sales-Type Leases

Sales-Type Leases

The Company provides lease financing primarily through sales-type leases. The Company records, at the inception of the lease, the aggregate future minimum lease payments, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment and the related unearned income. Unearned income represents the difference between the sum of the future minimum lease payments receivable plus the estimated residual value less the sales price of the underlying equipment. Unearned income is recognized as revenue over the term of the related lease using the interest method. The equipment sale is recognized at the inception of the lease.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess between the purchase price and the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested at least annually for impairment using a fair value approach. Other intangible assets are primarily comprised of non-competition agreements which are being amortized on a straight-line basis of the estimated useful lives of three years.

Employee Benefit Plan

Employee Benefit Plan

In 2008, the Company established a qualified 401(K) plan covering all employees meeting certain minimum requirements. Employees may contribute up to 5% of eligible compensation, as defined, and may make additional contributions subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. The plan provided for matching contributions by the Company equal to 100% of the employees’ first 3% of elective deferrals and an additional 50% of the next 2% of elective deferrals, subject to a maximum contribution of 4% of an employees’ eligible compensation. In May 2009, the plan was modified to eliminate matching contributions by the Company. In July 2011, the plan was modified to reinstate matching contributions by the Company. 401(K) expense charged to operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $6,000 and $16,000, respectively.

Income Per Share

Income Per Share

Basic income per share is based on net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Common stock equivalents outstanding were 1,985,000 and 1,808,000, and 1,151,000 and 1,487,000, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method for accounting for income taxes. 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. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using 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.

Segment Information

Segment Information

The Company operates in two business segments, non-asset based transportation services and agent support services. The non-asset based transportation services segment includes the Company’s brokerage and contract carrier services which are provided through a network of independent sales agents throughout the United States and Canada. Revenue in this segment is generated from freight transportation transactions. The agent support services segment includes an array of services that the Company provides to its agent network to support and encourage the expansion of the agents’ businesses, primarily financial support through interest bearing long-term loans, sales-type leases (which facilitate the acquisition of trucks by owner-operators) and non-interest bearing short-term loans, as well as other services including training, margin analysis, marketing assistance, industry and market segment data and business analysis tools. Revenue in this segment consists primarily of interest earned on interest bearing loans and profits and interest earned on sales-type leases.