OUR BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business Policy [Policy Text Block]

Our Business

IEC Electronics Corp. ("IEC", "we", "our", “us”, “Company”) is a premier provider of electronic contract manufacturing services (“EMS”) to advanced technology companies. We specialize in the custom manufacture of high reliability, complex circuit cards and system-level assemblies; a wide array of cable and wire harness assemblies capable of withstanding extreme environments; and precision sheet metal components. We excel where quality and reliability are of paramount importance and when low-to-medium volume, high-mix production is the norm. We utilize state-of-the-art, automated circuit card assembly equipment together with a full complement of high-reliability manufacturing stress testing methods. With our customers at the center of everything we do, we have created a high-intensity, rapid response culture capable of reacting and adapting to their ever-changing needs. Our customer-centric approach offers a high degree of flexibility while simultaneously complying with rigorous quality and on-time delivery standards. While many EMS services are viewed as commodities, we believe we set ourselves apart through an uncommon mix of capabilities including:

§ A technology center that combines dedicated prototype manufacturing with an on-site Materials Analysis Lab, enabling the seamless transition of complex electronics from design to production.

§ In-house, custom, functional testing and troubleshooting of complex system-level assemblies in support of end-order fulfillment.

§ A laboratory that enables us to assist customers in mitigating the risk of purchasing counterfeit parts through our subsidiary, Dynamic Research and Testing Laboratories, LLC (“DRTL”).

§ Build-to-print precision sheet metal and complex wire harness assemblies supporting just-in-time delivery of critical end-market, system-level electronics.

§ A Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement program supported by a team of Six Sigma Blackbelts delivering best-in-class results.

§ Proprietary software-driven Web Portal providing customers real-time access to a wide array of operational data.

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

IEC's financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board''s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).

Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fiscal Calendar

The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30th, and the first three quarters end generally on the Friday closest to the last day of the calendar quarter.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IEC and its wholly owned subsidiaries: IEC Electronics Wire and Cable, Inc. (“Wire and Cable”); IEC Electronics Corp.-Albuquerque ("Albuquerque"); Dynamic Research and Testing Laboratories, LLC (“DRTL); and since December 17, 2010, Southern California Braiding, Inc. (“SCB”). The Celmet unit operates as a division of IEC. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications and Retrospective Adjustments

Prior year financial statement amounts are reclassified as necessary to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications generally involve transfers of individual accounts from one financial statement line-item to another, without affecting income before or after taxes.

Retrospective adjustments result from the process of determining the fair value of each asset acquired and liability assumed in a business combination. Since an extended period of time (up to one year) is often needed to complete appraisals and valuations and to obtain other fair-value information, preliminary balances reported in initial periods following an acquisition are often replaced with adjusted balances during later periods. Previously, adjusted balances were reported in the later periods and prior period financial data remained as originally reported. ASC 805-25-17 requires adjustment of comparative balances presented in current period financial statements when such balances would otherwise contain out of date acquiree data.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company''s cash and cash equivalents principally represent deposit accounts with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company ("M&T"), a banking corporation headquartered in Buffalo, NY. In the prior fiscal year, cash receipts and disbursements were used to repay or draw on IEC’S revolving credit facility and cash balances were de minimis.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the age of outstanding invoices and management''s evaluation of collectability. Accounts are written off after all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted and management concludes that likelihood of collection is remote.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value under the first-in, first-out method. The Company regularly assesses slow-moving, excess and obsolete inventory and maintains balance sheet reserves in amounts required to reduce the recorded value of inventory to lower of cost or market.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) are stated at cost and are depreciated over various estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while renewals and improvements are capitalized. At the time of retirement or other disposition of PP&E, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in earnings.

Depreciable lives generally used for PP&E are presented in the table below. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the improvement.

	Estimated
PP&E Lives	Useful Lives
	(years)
Land improvements	10
Buildings and improvements	5 to 40
Machinery and equipment	3 to 5
Furniture and fixtures	3 to 7

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets (other than goodwill) are those that lack physical substance and are not financial assets. Such assets held by IEC were acquired in connection with business combinations and represent economic benefits associated with acquired customer relationships, a non-compete agreement, and a property tax abatement. Values assigned to individual intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reviewing Long-Lived Assets for Potential Impairment

ASC 360-10 (Property, Plant and Equipment) and 350-30 (Intangibles) require the Company to test long-lived assets (PP&E and amortizable intangible assets) for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If carrying value exceeds undiscounted future cash flows attributable to an asset, it is considered impaired and the excess of carrying value over fair value must be charged to earnings. No impairment charges were recorded by IEC during fiscal 2012 or 2011.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination.   Under ASC 350, goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment at least annually or when events or circumstances indicate that carrying value may exceed fair value. The Company may elect to precede a quantitative review for impairment with a qualitative assessment of the likelihood that fair value of a particular reporting unit exceeds carrying value. If the qualitative assessment leads to a conclusion that it is more than 50 percent likely that fair value exceeds carrying value, no further testing is required. In the event of a less favorable outcome, we are required to proceed with quantitative testing.

The quantitative process entails comparing the overall fair value of the unit to which goodwill relates to carrying value.  If fair value exceeds carrying value, no further assessment of potential impairment is required.  If fair value of the unit is less than carrying value, a valuation of the unit''s individual assets and liabilities is required to determine whether or not goodwill is impaired. Goodwill impairment losses are charged to earnings.

Most of IEC''s recorded goodwill relates to the SCB unit acquired in December 2010, and a lesser portion relates to Celmet, which was acquired in July 2010.  No goodwill impairment has been experienced to date by either unit.

Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Leases

At the inception of a lease covering equipment or real estate, the lease agreement is evaluated under criteria discussed in ASC 840-10-25 (Leases). Leases meeting one of four key criteria are accounted for as capital leases and all others are treated as operating leases. Under a capital lease, the discounted value of future lease payments becomes the basis for recognizing an asset and a borrowing, and lease payments are allocated between debt reduction and interest. For operating leases, payments are recorded as rent expense. Criteria for a capital lease include (i) transfer of ownership during the lease term; (ii) existence of a bargain purchase option under terms that make it likely to be exercised; (iii) a lease term equal to 75 percent or more of the economic life of the leased property; and (iv) minimum lease payments that equal or exceed 90 percent of the fair value of the property.

In June 2008, IEC entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement with M&T under which fixed assets with a net book value of $2.0 million and an original cost of $15.6 million were sold to M&T and were leased back under a five-year operating lease. The sold assets were removed from the accounts and minimal loss on the transaction is being amortized over the lease term.

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Legal Contingencies

When legal proceedings are brought or claims are made against us and the outcome is uncertain, ASC 450-10 (Contingencies) requires that we determine whether it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred. If such impairment or liability is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, the loss must be charged to earnings. No material charges for legal contingencies have been recorded by IEC during fiscal 2012 or 2011.

When it is considered probable that a loss has been incurred, but the amount of loss cannot be estimated, disclosure but not accrual of the probable loss is required. Disclosure of a loss contingency is also required when it is reasonably possible, but not probable, that a loss has been incurred.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

Under ASC 825 (Financial Instruments), the Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate value. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and borrowings for which rates are generally variable. IEC believes that recorded value approximates fair value for all such instruments.

ASC 820 (Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measurement, and prescribes related disclosures. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. Inputs used to measure fair value are categorized under the following hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets whether active or not, and model-derived

valuations based on observable inputs or value-drivers.

Level 3: Model-derived valuations using inputs for which active markets do not exist.

Incorporating Level 2 or Level 3 inputs into the measurement process requires significant judgment. Level 2 inputs were used in valuing fixed assets acquired in connection with IEC's fiscal 2011 and 2010 business combinations. Inputs of this nature included comparable sales values and depreciated cost values utilized in appraising acquired property and equipment.

Intangible asset valuations completed in connection with the Company's business combinations have been based on Level 3 inputs. The most significant such valuation, prepared for SCB's customer intangible, was derived from estimated future cash flows attributable to SCB's acquisition-date customer base. Key input assumptions utilized in the valuation process included the rate of customer attrition, cost of sales percent, and discount rate.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue is principally derived from the sale of electronic products built to customer specifications, but also from other value-added support services and repair work. Revenue from product sales is recognized when (i) goods are shipped or title and risk of ownership have passed, (ii) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iii) realization is reasonably assured.

Service revenues are generally recognized once the service has been rendered. For material management arrangements, revenues are generally recognized in proportion to the materials procured to date as compared to the total materials covered by the arrangement. Under such arrangements, some or all of the following services may be provided: design, bid, procurement, testing, storage or other activities relating to materials the customer expects to incorporate into products that it manufactures. Material management revenues amounted to less than 5.0% of total revenues in fiscal 2012 and 2011.

Provisions for discounts, allowances, rebates, estimated returns and other adjustments are recorded in the period the related sales are recognized.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

ASC 718 (Stock Compensation) requires that compensation expense be recognized for equity awards based on fair value as of the date of grant. For stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate grant date fair value. Costs associated with stock awards are recorded over requisite service periods, generally the vesting period. If vesting is contingent on the achievement of performance objectives, fair value is accrued over the period the objectives are expected to be achieved only if it is considered probable that the objectives will be achieved. The Company also has a compensatory employee stock purchase plan for which it recognizes compensation expense as employees contribute to the plan.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes and Deferred Taxes

ASC 740 (Income Taxes) requires recognition of "deferred" tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns, but not in both. Deferred tax assets are also established for tax benefits associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. Such deferred balances reflect tax rates that are scheduled to be in effect, based on currently enacted legislation, in the years the book/tax differences reverse and tax loss and tax credit carryforwards are expected to be realized. An allowance is established for any deferred tax asset for which realization is not likely.

ASC 740 also prescribes the manner in which a company measures, recognizes, presents, and discloses in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained following examination by taxing authorities, based on technical merits of the position. The Company believes that it has no material uncertain tax positions.

Any interest or penalties incurred are reported as interest expense. The Company’s income tax filings are subject to audit by various tax jurisdictions, and the current open year is fiscal 2011.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per common share add to the denominator incremental shares resulting from the assumed exercise of all potentially dilutive stock options, as well as restricted (non-vested) stock, restricted stock units (“RSU’s”) and anticipated employee stock purchase plan contributions. Options, restricted stock and RSU’s are primarily held by management and certain employees. A summary of shares used in earnings per share (“EPS”) calculations follows.

	Three Months Ended				Years Ended
	September 30,		September 30,		September 30,		September 30,
Shares for EPS Calculation	2012		2011		2012		2011
Weighted average shares outstanding		9,660,253		9,637,196		9,663,865		9,461,240
Incremental shares		322,115		363,310		305,206		506,462
Diluted shares		9,982,368		10,000,506		9,969,071		9,967,702
Options excluded from diluted shares as the effect of including these shares would have been anti-dilutive		84,041		44,000		206,291		10,000

Dividends Policy [Policy Text Block]

Dividends

IEC does not pay dividends on its common stock, as it is the Company''s current policy to retain earnings for use in the business. Furthermore, certain covenants in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement with M&T restrict the Company from paying cash dividends.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates.

Statements Of Cash Flows Policy [Policy Text Block]

Statements of Cash Flows

The Company presents operating cash flows using the indirect method of reporting under which non-cash income and expense items are removed from net income. For businesses acquired during the periods presented, reported cash flows include cash disbursed to the sellers and normal business activity occurring subsequent to the acquisition date.

Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Comprehensive Income

IEC has no items of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) in any period presented in the accompanying financial statements, and in accordance with ASC 220-10-15, is not required to present captions for OCI or comprehensive income in the statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, "Testing Goodwill for Impairment," was issued in September 2011 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Under existing generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), entities are periodically required to evaluate the carrying value of a unit''s goodwill by first determining fair value of the unit, and then, if fair value is less than the unit''s carrying value, by allocating such fair value to the unit''s assets and liabilities. Under provisions of the update, entities are permitted, but not required, to precede calculation of a unit''s fair value with a qualitative evaluation of the likelihood that fair value is less than carrying value. If the qualitative assessment leads to a conclusion that there is more than a 50 percent likelihood that fair value exceeds carrying value, no further testing is required. In the event of a less favorable assessment, the entity is required to proceed to the previously mentioned quantitative testing. As permitted by the update, the Company adopted its provisions in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, "Presentation of Comprehensive Income," was issued in June 2011 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Comprehensive income includes certain items that are recognized as OCI and are excluded from net income. Examples include unrealized gains/losses on certain investments and gains/losses on derivative instruments designated as hedges. Under provisions of the update, the components of OCI must be presented in one of two formats: either (i) together with net income in a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (ii) in a second statement of comprehensive income to immediately follow the income statement. An existing option to present the components of OCI as part of the statement of changes in shareholders'' equity is being eliminated. IEC presently has no items classified as OCI and the update had no effect on its financial statements.

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, "Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS," was issued in May 2011 to be effective for interim or annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The update changes the wording for certain measurement and disclosure requirements relating to fair value determinations under U.S. GAAP in order to make them more consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). While many of the modifications are not expected to change the application of U.S. GAAP, additional disclosure requirements relating to the use of Level 3 inputs in determining fair value do apply to IEC. The Company uses such inputs in valuing certain assets acquired in business combinations, and, following adoption of this update, will be required to provide additional information regarding the sensitivity of derived values to changes in the inputs related to future acquisitions.