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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Nature of Business
 
HEICO Corporation, through its principal subsidiaries HEICO Aerospace Holdings Corp. (“HEICO Aerospace”) and HEICO Electronic Technologies Corp. (“HEICO Electronic”) and their subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is principally engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of aerospace, defense and electronic related products and services throughout the United States and internationally.  The Company’s customer base is primarily the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunication and electronic industries.
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of HEICO Corporation and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned except for HEICO Aerospace, which is 20%-owned by Lufthansa Technik AG, the technical services subsidiary of Lufthansa German Airlines.  In addition, HEICO Aerospace consolidates four subsidiaries which are 80%, 80.1%, 80.1%, and 82.3% owned, respectively, and a joint venture formed in March 2001, which is 16% owned by American Airlines’ parent company, AMR Corporation.  Also, HEICO Electronic consolidates three subsidiaries, which are 80.1%, 82.5%, and 95.9% owned, respectively (see Note 12, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests).  All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.
 
Stock Splits
 
In March of 2011 and 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a 5-for-4 stock split on both classes of the Company’s common stock.  The stock splits were effected as of April 26, 2011 and April 27, 2010, respectively, in the form of a 25% stock dividend distributed to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2011 and April 16, 2010, respectively.  All applicable share and per share information has been adjusted retrospectively to give effect to the 5-for-4 stock splits.
 
Use of Estimates and Assumptions
 
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 amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
For purposes of the consolidated financial statements, the Company considers all highly liquid investments such as U.S. Treasury bills and money market funds with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
 
Accounts Receivable
 
Accounts receivable consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers and unbilled costs and estimated earnings related to revenue from certain fixed price contracts recognized on the percentage-of-completion method that have been recognized for accounting purposes, but not yet billed to customers.  The valuation of accounts receivable requires that the Company set up an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts and record a corresponding charge to bad debt expense.  The Company estimates uncollectible receivables based on such factors as its prior experience, its appraisal of a customer’s ability to pay, age of receivables outstanding and economic conditions within and outside of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunication and electronic industries.
 
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of temporary cash investments and trade accounts receivable.  The Company places its temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution.  Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many different geographical regions.  The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers, but does not generally require collateral to support customer receivables.
 
Inventory
 
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined on the first-in, first-out or the average cost basis.  Losses, if any, are recognized fully in the period when identified.
 
The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of inventory, giving consideration to factors such as its physical condition, sales patterns and expected future demand in order to estimate the amount necessary to write down any slow moving, obsolete or damaged inventory.  These estimates could vary significantly from actual amounts based upon future economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive factors that were not foreseen or did not exist when the estimated write-downs were made.
 
In accordance with industry practice, all inventories are classified as a current asset including portions with long production cycles, some of which may not be realized within one year.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost.  Depreciation and amortization is generally provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various assets.  The Company’s property, plant and equipment is depreciated over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Buildings and improvements
15 to
 
40 years
Leasehold improvements
2 to
 
20 years
Machinery and equipment
3 to
 
10 years
Tooling
2 to
 
5 years
 
The costs of major additions and improvements are capitalized.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the leasehold improvement’s useful life or the lease term.  Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.  Upon disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected within earnings.
 
Business Combinations
 
The Company adopted new accounting guidance for business combinations effective prospectively for acquisitions consummated on or after November 1, 2009 (the beginning of fiscal 2010).  Under the new guidance, any contingent consideration is recognized as a liability at fair value as of the acquisition date with subsequent fair value adjustments recorded in operations.  Acquisition costs are generally expensed as incurred under the new guidance, but were previously capitalized as part of the purchase price.  Contingent consideration paid or accrued in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009 related to acquisitions consummated prior to fiscal 2010 were based on a multiple of each applicable subsidiary’s earnings relative to target and were not contingent upon the former shareholders of the respective acquired entity remaining employed by the Company or providing future services to the Company.  Accordingly, these amounts represent an additional cost of the respective entity recorded as additional goodwill.  Information regarding additional contingent purchase consideration related to acquisitions prior to fiscal 2010 may be found in Note 2, Acquisitions, and Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies.
 
The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired entities to the underlying tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values, with any excess recorded as goodwill.  The operating results of acquired businesses are included in the Company’s results of operations beginning as of their effective acquisition dates.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of October 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be fully recoverable.  The test requires the Company to compare the fair value of each of its reporting units to its carrying value to determine potential impairment.  If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the implied fair value of that reporting unit’s goodwill is to be calculated and an impairment loss is recognized in the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, if any.
 
The Company’s intangible assets not subject to amortization consist principally of its trade names.  The Company’s intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized on the straight-line method (except for certain customer relationships amortized on an accelerated method) over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Customer relationships
5 to   10 years
Intellectual property
6 to   15 years
Licenses
10 to   17 years
Non-compete agreements
2 to   7 years
Patents
5 to   19 years
Trade names
5 to   10 years
 
Amortization expense of intellectual property, licenses and patents is recorded as a component of cost of sales, and amortization expense of customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names is recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.  The Company tests each non-amortizing intangible asset for impairment annually as of October 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  To derive the fair value of its trade names, the Company utilizes an income approach.  The Company also tests each amortizing intangible asset for impairment if events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  The test consists of determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows.  If the total of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets.
 
Investments
 
Investments are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices.  Investments that are intended to be held for less than one year are included within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, while those intended to be held for longer than one year are classified within other assets.  Unrealized gains or losses associated with available-for-sale securities are reported net of tax within other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.  Unrealized gains or losses associated with trading securities are recorded as a component of other income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
Derivative Instruments
 
From time to time, the Company utilizes certain derivative instruments (e.g. interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency forward contracts) to hedge the variability of foreign currency exchange rates and the expected future cash flows of certain transactions.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized immediately in earnings, unless the derivative is designated as a hedge and qualifies for hedge accounting.  There are three hedging relationships where a derivative (hedging instrument) may qualify for hedge accounting: (1) a hedge of the change in fair value of a recognized asset or liability or firm commitment (fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of the variability in cash flows from forecasted transactions (cash flow hedge), and (3) a hedge of the variability caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates (foreign currency hedge).
 
Under hedge accounting, recognition of derivative gains and losses can be matched in the same period with that of the hedged exposure and thereby minimize earnings volatility.  In order for a derivative to qualify for hedge accounting, the derivative must be formally designated as a fair value, cash flow, or a foreign currency hedge by documenting the relationship between the derivative and the hedged item.  Additionally, the hedge relationship must be expected to be highly effective at offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item at both inception and on an ongoing basis.  For a derivative instrument that qualifies for hedge accounting, the effective portion of changes in fair value of the derivative is deferred and recorded as a component of other comprehensive income until the hedged transaction occurs and is recognized in earnings.  All other portions of changes in fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings immediately.  If the derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting, the Company considers the transaction to be an “economic hedge” and changes in the fair value of the derivative asset or liability are recognized immediately in earnings.
 
During fiscal 2011, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk for transactions involving a currency other than its functional currency.  The impact of these forward contracts did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows in fiscal 2011.  The Company did not utilize any derivative instruments in fiscal 2010 or 2009.
 
Customer Rebates and Credits
 
The Company records accrued customer rebates and credits as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.  These amounts generally relate to discounts negotiated with customers as part of certain sales contracts that are usually tied to sales volume thresholds.  The Company accrues customer rebates and credits as a reduction within net sales as the revenue is recognized based on the estimated level of discount rate expected to be earned by each customer over the life of the contract period (generally one year).  Accrued customer rebates and credits are monitored by management and discount levels are updated at least quarterly.
 
Product Warranties
 
Product warranty liabilities are estimated at the time of shipment and recorded as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The amount recognized is based on historical claims experience.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue from the sale of products and the rendering of services is recognized when title and risk of loss passes to the customer, which is generally at the time of shipment.  Revenue from the rendering of services represented less than 10% of consolidated net sales for all periods presented.  Revenue from certain fixed price contracts for which costs can be dependably estimated is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date to estimated total costs for each contract.  The percentage of the Company’s net sales recognized under the percentage-of-completion method was approximately 1%, 2%, and 1% in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Contract costs include all direct material and labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and depreciation costs.  Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred.
 
Revisions in cost estimates as contracts progress have the effect of increasing or decreasing profits in the period of revision.  Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined.  Variations in actual labor performance, changes to estimated profitability, and final contract settlements may result in revisions to cost estimates and are recognized in income in the period in which the revisions are determined.  Changes in estimates pertaining to percentage-of-completion contracts did not have a material effect on net income from consolidated operations in fiscal 2011, 2010 or 2009.
 
The asset, “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings” on uncompleted percentage-of-completion contracts, included in accounts receivable, represents revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed.  The liability, “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings,” included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities, represents billings in excess of revenue recognized on contracts accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method.  Billings are made based on the completion of certain milestones as provided for in the contracts.
 
For fixed price contracts in which costs cannot be dependably estimated, revenue is recognized on the completed-contract method.  A contract is considered complete when all significant costs have been incurred or the item has been accepted by the customer.  Progress billings and customer advances (“billings to date”) on fixed price contracts accounted for under the completed contract method are classified as a reduction to contracts in process (a component of inventories), if any, and any excess is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company records compensation expense associated with stock options in its Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the grant date fair value of those awards.  The fair value of each stock option on the date of grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model based on certain valuation assumptions.  Expected volatilities are based on the Company’s historical stock prices over the contractual terms of the options and other factors.  The risk-free interest rates used are based on the published U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant for instruments with a similar life.  The dividend yield reflects the Company’s expected dividend yield at the date of grant.  The expected life represents the period that the stock options are expected to be outstanding, taking into consideration the contractual terms of the options and employee historical exercise behavior.  The Company generally recognizes stock option compensation expense ratably over the award’s vesting period.
 
The Company calculates the amount of excess tax benefit that is available to offset future write-offs of deferred tax assets, or additional paid-in-capital pool (“APIC Pool”) by tracking each stock option award granted after November 1, 1996 on an employee-by-employee basis and on a grant-by-grant basis to determine whether there is a tax benefit situation or tax deficiency situation for each such award.  The Company then compares the fair value expense to the tax deduction received for each stock option grant and aggregates the benefits and deficiencies, which have the effect of increasing or decreasing, respectively, the APIC Pool.  Should the amount of future tax deficiencies be greater than the available APIC Pool, the Company will record the excess as income tax expense in its Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The excess tax benefit resulting from tax deductions in excess of the cumulative compensation expense recognized for stock options exercised is presented as a financing activity in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  All other tax benefits related to stock options have been presented as a component of operating activities.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense includes United States and foreign income taxes, plus the provision for United States taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries not deemed to be permanently invested.  Deferred income taxes are provided on elements of income that are recognized for financial accounting purposes in periods different from periods recognized for income tax purposes.
 
The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes and evaluates tax positions utilizing a two-step process.  The first step is to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position.  The second step is to measure the benefit to be recorded from tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold by determining the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement and recognizing that amount in the financial statements.  The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense.  Further information regarding income taxes can be found in Note 6, Income Taxes.
 
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
 
As further detailed in Note 12, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests, the holders of equity interests in certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have rights (“Put Rights”) that require the Company to provide cash consideration for their equity interests (the “Redemption Amount”) at fair value or at a formula that management intended to reasonably approximate fair value based solely on a multiple of future earnings over a measurement period.  The Put Rights are embedded in the shares owned by the noncontrolling interest holders and are not freestanding.  The Company tracks the carrying cost of such redeemable noncontrolling interests at historical cost plus an allocation of subsidiary earnings based on ownership interest, less dividends paid to the noncontrolling interest holders.  Redeemable noncontrolling interests are recorded outside of permanent equity at the higher of their carrying cost or management’s estimate of the Redemption Amount.  The initial adjustment to record redeemable noncontrolling interests at the Redemption Amount results in a corresponding decrease to retained earnings.  Subsequent adjustments to the Redemption Amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests may result in corresponding decreases or increases to retained earnings, provided any increases to retained earnings may only be recorded to the extent of decreases previously recorded.  Adjustments to Redemption Amounts based on fair value will have no effect on net income per share attributable to HEICO shareholders whereas the portion of periodic adjustments to the carrying amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests based solely on a multiple of future earnings that reflect a redemption amount in excess of fair value will effect net income per share attributable to HEICO shareholders.  Acquisitions of redeemable noncontrolling interests are treated as equity transactions.
 
Net Income per Share Attributable to HEICO Shareholders
 
Basic net income per share attributable to HEICO shareholders is computed by dividing net income attributable to HEICO by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted net income per share attributable to HEICO shareholders is computed by dividing net income attributable to HEICO by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus potentially dilutive common shares arising from the assumed exercise of stock options, if dilutive.  The dilutive impact of potentially dilutive common shares is determined by applying the treasury stock method.
 
As further detailed in “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests” above, the portion of periodic adjustments to the carrying amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests based solely on a multiple of future earnings that reflect a redemption amount in excess of fair value effect net income attributable to HEICO for purposes of determining net income per share attributable to HEICO shareholders (see Note 13, Net Income per Share Attributable to HEICO Shareholders).
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries that do not utilize the United States dollar as its functional currency are translated at period-end exchange rates, while revenue and expenses are translated using average exchange rates for the period.  Unrealized translation gains or losses are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments through other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.
 
Contingencies
 
Losses for contingencies such as product warranties, litigation and environmental matters are recognized in income when they are probable and can be reasonably estimated.  Gain contingencies are not recognized in income until they have been realized.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures About Fair Value Measurements,” which requires additional disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and more detailed information of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  The Company adopted ASU 2010-06 as of the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal 2010, except the additional Level 3 disclosures, which are effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, or in fiscal 2012 for HEICO.  The Company will make the additional Level 3 disclosures, if applicable, as of the date of adoption.
 
In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, “Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations.”  Under ASU 2010-29, supplemental pro forma information disclosures pertaining to acquisitions should be presented as if the business combination(s) occurred as of the beginning of the prior annual period when comparative financial statements are presented.  ASU 2010-29 is effective for business combinations consummated in fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  Early adoption is permitted and the Company adopted the new guidance on a prospective basis as of December 2010.
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income,” which requires the presentation of total comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate, but consecutive statements.  ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of shareholders’ equity and requires reclassification adjustments for items that were reclassified from other comprehensive income and net income to be presented on the face of the financial statements.  ASU 2011-05 must be applied retroactively and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011, or in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 for HEICO.  The Company is currently evaluating which presentation option it will elect, but the adoption of these provisions will have no effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” which is intended to reduce complexity and costs by permitting an entity the option to perform a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment in order to determine whether it should calculate the fair value of a reporting unit.  The update also improves previous guidance by expanding upon the examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider between annual impairment tests in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, or in fiscal 2013 for HEICO’s annual impairment test.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.