DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Griffon and all subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included from the dates of acquisitions.

Earnings per share

Due to rounding, the sum of earnings per share may not equal earnings per share of Net income.

Discontinued operations – Installation Services

Discontinued operations

Installation Services

In 2008, as a result of the downturn in the residential housing market, Griffon exited substantially all operating activities of its Installation Services segment which sold, installed and serviced garage doors and openers, fireplaces, floor coverings, cabinetry and a range of related building products, primarily for the new residential housing market. Operating results of substantially all of this segment have been reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for all periods presented; Installation Services is excluded from segment reporting.

During the year ended September 30, 2017, Griffon recorded $5,700 of reserves in discontinued operations related to historical environmental remediation efforts and to increase the reserve for homeowner association claims related to the Clopay Services Corporation discontinued operations in 2008.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These estimates may be adjusted due to changes in economic, industry or customer financial conditions, as well as changes in technology or demand. Significant estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts receivable and returns, net realizable value of inventories, restructuring reserves, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, percentage of completion method of accounting, pension assumptions, useful lives associated with depreciation and amortization of intangible and fixed assets, warranty reserves, sales incentive accruals, stock based compensation assumptions, income taxes and tax valuation reserves, environmental reserves, legal reserves, insurance reserves, the valuation of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, acquisition assumptions used and the accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions Griffon may undertake in the future. Actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates.

Cash and equivalents

Griffon considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents primarily consist of overnight commercial paper, highly-rated liquid money market funds backed by U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Agency securities, as well as insured bank deposits. Griffon had cash in non-U.S. bank accounts of approximately $24,900 and $26,500 at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Substantially all U.S. cash and equivalents are in excess of FDIC insured limits. Griffon regularly evaluates the financial stability of all institutions and funds that hold its cash and equivalents.

Fair value of financial instruments

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts and notes payable and revolving credit debt approximate fair value due to either the short-term nature of such instruments or the fact that the interest rate of the revolving credit debt is based upon current market rates.

The fair value hierarchy, as outlined in the applicable accounting guidance, establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The accounting guidance establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, as follows:


•	Level 1 inputs are measured and recorded at fair value based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

•

Level 2 inputs include inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of assets or liabilities.


•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The fair value of Griffon’s 2022 senior notes approximated $990,000, on September 30, 2018. Fair values were based upon quoted market prices (level 1 inputs).

Insurance contracts with a value of $3,032 at September 30, 2018 are measured and recorded at fair value based upon quoted prices in active markets for similar assets (level 2 inputs) and are included in Other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

At September 30, 2018 and 2017, trading securities, measured at fair value based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets (level 2 inputs), with a fair value of $2,644 ($2,086 cost basis) and $3,352 ($1,000 cost basis) were included in Prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the year ended September 30, 2018, the Company settled trading securities with proceeds totaling $4,126 and recognized a loss of $1,251 in Other income (expense). During the year ended September 30, 2016, the Company settled trading securities with proceeds totaling $715 and recognized a loss of $13 in Other income (expense). Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities and realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included in Other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

In the normal course of business, Griffon’s operations are exposed to the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To manage these risks, Griffon may enter into various derivative contracts such as foreign currency exchange contracts, including forwards and options. During 2018 and 2017, Griffon entered into several such contracts in order to lock into a foreign currency rate for planned settlements of trade and inter-company liabilities payable in USD.

At September 30, 2018 and 2017, Griffon had $12,000 and $14,500 of Australian dollar contracts at a weighted average rate of $1.38 and $1.28, respectively, which qualified for hedge accounting. These hedges were all deemed effective as cash flow hedges with gains and losses related to changes in fair value deferred and recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss) and Prepaid and other current assets, or Accrued liabilities, until settlement. Upon settlement, gains and losses were recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Cost of goods and services. AOCI included deferred gains of $443 ($288, net of tax) and deferred gains of $175 ($114, net of tax) at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Upon settlement, gains (losses) of $657 and $(1,458) were recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Cost of goods and services ("COGS") during the years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. All contracts expire in 31 to 92 days.

At September 30, 2018 and 2017, Griffon had $700 and $4,690, respectively, of Canadian dollar contracts at a weighted average rate of $1.29 and $1.25. These contracts, which protect Canadian operations from currency fluctuations for U.S. dollar based purchases, do not qualify for hedge accounting and fair value losses of $7 and $378 were recorded in Other assets and to Other income for the outstanding contracts, based on similar contract values (level 2 inputs), for the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Realized gains (losses) of $(161) and $200, were recorded in Other income during the years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. All contracts expire in 30 to 358 days.

Pension plan assets with a fair value of $150,634 at September 30, 2018, are measured and recorded at fair value based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (level 1 inputs) and quoted market prices for similar assets (level 2 inputs).

Non-U.S. currency translation

Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries, where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, have been translated at year-end exchange rates and profit and loss accounts have been translated using weighted average exchange rates. Adjustments resulting from currency translation have been recorded in the equity section of the balance sheet in AOCI as cumulative translation adjustments. Cumulative translation adjustments were gains of $9,403 and $10,667 for the year ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, the foreign currency translation components of Accumulated other comprehensive loss were $22,824 and $32,227, respectively. Assets and liabilities of an entity that are denominated in currencies other than that entity’s functional currency are re-measured into the functional currency using period end exchange rates, or historical rates where applicable to certain balances. Gains and losses arising on remeasurements are recorded within the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as a component of Other income (expense).

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when the following circumstances are satisfied: a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, b) delivery has occurred, title has transferred or services are rendered, c) price is fixed and determinable and d) collectability is reasonably assured. Goods are sold on terms that transfer title and risk of loss at a specified location. Revenue recognition from product sales occurs when all factors are met, including transfer of title and risk of loss, which occurs either upon shipment or upon receipt by customers at the location specified in the terms of sale. Other than standard product warranty provisions, sales arrangements provide for no other significant post-shipment obligations. From time to time and for certain customers, rebates and other sales incentives, promotional allowances or discounts are offered, typically related to customer purchase volumes, all of which are fixed or determinable and are classified as a reduction of revenue and recorded at the time of sale. Griffon provides for sales returns allowances based upon historical returns experience.

Telephonics earns a substantial portion of its revenue as either a prime or subcontractor from contract awards with the U.S. Government, as well as non-U.S. governments and other commercial customers. These formal contracts are typically long-term in nature, usually greater than one year. Revenue and profits from these long-term fixed price contracts are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Revenue and profits on fixed-price contracts that contain engineering as well as production requirements are recorded based on the ratio of total actual incurred costs to date to the total estimated costs for each contract (cost-to-cost method). Using the cost-to-cost method, revenue is recorded at amounts equal to the ratio of actual cumulative costs incurred divided by total estimated costs at completion, multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue, less the cumulative revenue recognized in prior periods. The profit recorded on a contract using this method is equal to the current estimated total profit margin multiplied by the cumulative revenue recognized, less the amount of cumulative profit previously recorded for the contract in prior periods. As this method relies on the substantial use of estimates, these projections may be revised throughout the life of a contract. Components of this formula and ratio that may be estimated include gross profit margin and total costs at completion. The cost performance and estimates to complete on long-term contracts are reviewed, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis, as well as when information becomes available that would necessitate a review of the current estimate. Adjustments to estimates for a contract’s estimated costs at completion and estimated profit or loss often are required as experience is gained, and as more information is obtained, even though the scope of work required under the contract may or may not change, or if contract modifications occur. The impact of such adjustments or changes to estimates is made on a cumulative basis in the period when such information has become known. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, income from operations included net favorable/(unfavorable) catch-up adjustments approximating $1,400, $600 and $(700), respectively. Gross profit is affected by a variety of factors, including the mix of products, systems and services, production efficiencies, price competition and general economic conditions.

Revenue and profits on cost-reimbursable type contracts are recognized as allowable costs, and are incurred on the contract at an amount equal to the allowable costs plus the estimated profit on those costs. The estimated profit on a cost-reimbursable contract may be fixed or variable based on the contractual fee arrangement. Incentive and award fees on these contracts are recorded as revenue when the criteria under which they are earned are reasonably assured of being met and can be estimated.

For contracts in which anticipated total costs exceed the total expected revenue, an estimated loss is recognized in the period when identifiable. A provision for the entire amount of the estimated loss is recorded on a cumulative basis. The estimated remaining costs to complete loss contracts as of September 30, 2018 was $12,200 and is recorded as a reduction to gross margin on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). This loss had an immaterial impact on Griffon's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Amounts representing contract change orders or claims are included in revenue only when they can be reliably estimated and their realization is probable, and are determined on a percentage-of-completion basis measured by the cost-to-cost method.

From time to time, Telephonics may combine contracts if they are negotiated together, have specific requirements to combine, or are otherwise closely related. Contracts are segmented based on customer requirements.

Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts and concentrations of credit risk

Accounts receivable is composed principally of trade accounts receivable, that arise from the sale of goods or services on account, and is stated at historical cost. A substantial portion of Griffon’s trade receivables are from customers of HBP, of which the largest customer is Home Depot, whose financial condition is dependent on the construction and related retail sectors of the economy. As a percentage of consolidated accounts receivable, U.S. Government related programs were 8% and Home Depot was 20%. Griffon performs continuing evaluations of the financial condition of its customers, and although Griffon generally does not require collateral, letters of credit may be required from customers in certain circumstances.

Trade receivables are recorded at the stated amount, less allowance for doubtful accounts and, when appropriate, for customer program reserves and cash discounts. The allowance represents estimated uncollectible receivables associated with potential customer defaults on contractual obligations (usually due to customers’ potential insolvency). The allowance for doubtful accounts includes amounts for certain customers where a risk of default has been specifically identified, as well as an amount for customer defaults based on a formula when it is determined the risk of some default is probable and estimable, but cannot yet be associated with specific customers. The provision related to the allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. The Company writes-off accounts receivable when they are deemed to be uncollectible.

Contract costs and recognized income not yet billed

Contract costs and recognized income not yet billed consists of amounts accounted for under the percentage of completion method of accounting, recoverable costs and accrued profit that cannot yet be invoiced under the terms of certain long-term contracts. Amounts will be invoiced when applicable contract terms, such as the achievement of specified milestones or product delivery, are met.

Inventories

Inventories, stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out or average) or market, include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs.

Griffon’s businesses typically do not require inventory that is susceptible to becoming obsolete or dated. In general, Telephonics sells products in connection with programs authorized and approved under contracts awarded by the U.S. Government or agencies thereof and in accordance with customer specifications. HBP produces doors, organizational and storage products and long-handled tools and landscaping products in response to orders from customers of retailers and dealers or based on expected orders, as applicable.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment includes the historical cost of land, buildings, equipment and significant improvements to existing plant and equipment or, in the case of acquisitions, a fair market value appraisal of such assets completed at the time of acquisition. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss is recognized. No event or indicator of impairment occurred during the three years ended September 30, 2018, which would require additional impairment testing of property, plant and equipment.

Depreciation expense, which includes amortization of assets under capital leases, was $46,733, $41,220 and $39,734 for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and was calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation included in SG&A expenses was $16,306, $12,995 and $11,721 for the years ended September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The remaining components of depreciation, attributable to manufacturing operations, are included in Cost of goods and services. Estimated useful lives for property, plant and equipment are as follows: buildings and building improvements, 25 to 40 years; machinery and equipment, 2 to 15 years and leasehold improvements, over the term of the lease or life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles

Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of a business over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual impairment test unless during an interim period, impairment indicators such as a significant change in the business climate exist.

Griffon performed its annual impairment testing of goodwill as of September 30, 2018. The performance of the test involves a two-step process. The first step involves comparing the fair value of Griffon’s reporting units with the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. Griffon generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using the income approach methodology of valuation that includes the present value of expected future cash flows. This method uses market assumptions specific to Griffon’s reporting units. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, Griffon performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of impairment loss. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.

Griffon defines its reporting units as its two reportable segments: HBP and Defense Electronics. At September 30, 2018, HBP consisted of two components, AMES and CBP, because of their similar economic and qualitative characteristics.

Griffon used 5 year projections and a 3.0% terminal value to which discount rates between 7% and 9.5% were applied to calculate each unit’s fair value. To substantiate fair values derived from the income approach methodology of valuation, the implied fair value was compared to the marketplace fair value of a comparable industry grouping for reasonableness. Further, the fair values were reconciled to Griffon’s market capitalization. Both market comparisons supported the implied fair values. Any changes in key assumptions or management judgment with respect to a reporting unit or its prospects, which may result from a decline in Griffon’s stock price, a change in market conditions, market trends, interest rates or other factors outside Griffon’s control, or significant underperformance relative to historical or project future operating results, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting units, which could result in a future impairment charge (level 3 inputs).

Based upon the results of the annual impairment review, it was determined that the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeded the carrying value of the assets, as performed under step one, and no impairment existed.

Similar to goodwill, Griffon tests indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually and when indicators of impairment exist. Griffon uses a relief from royalty method to calculate and compare the fair value of the intangible to its book value. This method uses market assumptions specific to Griffon’s reporting units, which are reasonable and supportable. If the fair value is less than the book value of the indefinite-lived intangibles, an impairment charge would be recognized.

Definite-lived long-lived assets

Amortizable intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. For financial reporting purposes, definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, generally eight to twenty-five years. Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition.

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Deferred taxes reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. The carrying value of Griffon’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon Griffon’s ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions. Should Griffon determine that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets would be established in the period such determination was made.

Griffon provides for uncertain tax positions and any related interest and penalties based upon Management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not of being sustained upon examination by tax authorities. At September 30, 2018 Griffon believes that it has appropriately accounted for all unrecognized tax benefits. As of September 30, 2018, 2017 and 2016, Griffon has recorded unrecognized tax benefits in the amount of $4,519, $4,825 and $4,709, respectively. Accrued interest and penalties related to income tax matters are recorded in the provision for income taxes.

Research and development costs, shipping and handling costs and advertising costs

Research and development costs not recoverable under contractual arrangements are charged to SG&A expense as incurred and amounted to $15,400, $17,700 and $18,000 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

SG&A expenses include shipping and handling costs of $59,600 in 2018, $32,500 in 2017 and $30,600 in 2016 and advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred, of $21,000 in 2018, $22,000 in 2017 and $23,000 in 2016.

Risk, retention and insurance

Griffon’s property and casualty insurance programs contain various deductibles that, based on Griffon’s experience, are reasonable and customary for a company of its size and risk profile. Griffon generally maintains deductibles for claims and liabilities related primarily to workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile liability as well as property damage and business interruption losses resulting from certain events. Griffon does not consider any of the deductibles to represent a material risk to Griffon. Griffon accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated. Insurance is maintained to transfer risk beyond the level of self-retention and provides protection on both an individual claim and annual aggregate basis.

Pension benefits

Griffon sponsors defined and supplemental benefit pension plans for certain retired employees. Annual amounts relating to these plans are recorded based on actuarial projections, which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed rates of return, compensation increases and turnover rates. Actuarial assumptions used to determine pension liabilities, assets and expense are reviewed annually and modified based on current economic conditions and trends. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the nature of the plan's investments and expectations for long-term rates of return. The discount rate used to measure obligations is based on a corporate bond spot-rate yield curve that matches projected future benefit payments, with the appropriate spot rate applicable to the timing of the projected future benefit payments. Assumptions used in determining Griffon’s obligations under the defined benefit pension plans are believed to be reasonable, based on experience and advice from independent actuaries; however, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially impact Griffon’s financial position or results of operations.

All of the defined benefit plans are frozen and have ceased accruing benefits.

Recently issued effective accounting pronouncements

Newly issued but not yet effective accounting pronouncements

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on changes to the disclosure requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which eliminates, amends, and adds disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The amended and new disclosure requirements primarily relate to Level 3 fair value measurements. The removal and amendment of certain disclosures may be early adopted with retrospective application while the new disclosure requirements are to be applied prospectively. The guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021.We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on changes to the disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans, which makes minor changes to the disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. The guidance requires a retrospective transition approach and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance related to customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The guidance permits either a prospective or retrospective transition approach and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which permits entities to reclassify, to retained earnings, the one-time income tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) arising from the change in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. An entity that elects to make this reclassification must consider all items in AOCI that have tax effects stranded as a result of the tax rate change, and must disclose the reclassification of these tax effects as well as the entity’s policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI. This guidance may be applied either retrospectively or as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The new guidance is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued guidance to address the situation when a company modifies the terms of a stock compensation award previously granted to an employee. This guidance is effective, and should be applied prospectively, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. The new guidance is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019. We believe the implementation of this guidance will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In March 2017, the FASB issued amendments to the Compensation - Retirement Benefits guidance which requires companies to retrospectively present the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost for pension and retiree medical plans along with other compensation costs in operating income and present the other components of net periodic benefit cost below operating income in the income statement. The guidance also allows only the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization within inventory or fixed assets on a prospective basis. This guidance is effective, and should be applied retroactively, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. The new guidance is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those periods and will be effective for the Company beginning in 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the definition of a business, which will impact many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The new standard is intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods and will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and do not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance on the Statement of Cash Flows Classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments (a consensus of the emerging issues take force). This guidance addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: Debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on lease accounting requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for long-term leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. This guidance must be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach to all annual and interim periods presented and is effective for the company beginning in fiscal 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update related to new revenue recognition guidance that supersedes the existing revenue recognition guidance and most industry-specific guidance applicable to revenue recognition. According to the new guidance, an entity will apply a principles-based five step model to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The core principle of the guidance is that the recognition of revenue should depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The converged standard also includes more robust disclosure requirements which will require entities to provide sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Subsequently, the FASB has issued amendments to certain aspects of the guidance including the effective date. The effective date of this revised standard is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The converged standard can be adopted using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective method, which applies the new guidance to contracts that are not completed at the adoption date without adjusting prior reporting periods. The Company has completed its assessment of the impact of this standard which will become effective for the Company in the first quarter of its 2019 fiscal year and will adopt this guidance using the modified retrospective method.

Beginning in the second half of fiscal 2016, the Company used a team to analyze the impact of the standard, and the related guidance issued, across all revenue streams and to evaluate the impact of the new standard on revenue contracts. This team reviewed current accounting policies and practices, identifying potential differences that would result from applying the requirements under the new standard. As noted above, the Company will adopt this new standard in the first quarter of 2019 using the modified retrospective method of adoption. The standard will not impact revenue recognition practices at the Company’s Home and Building Products Segment but will have an impact at its Defense Electronics Segment. We will adopt the new standard by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. We expect this adjustment to opening retained earnings to be approximately $5,000 with an immaterial impact to our net income on an ongoing basis.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to the SEC SAB 118. This ASU provides guidance on income tax accounting implications under the TCJA. SAB 118 addressed the application of GAAP to situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared and analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the TCJA and allows companies to record provisional amounts during the re-measurement period not to exceed one year after the enactment date while the accounting impact remains under analysis. This guidance was effective immediately upon issuance. See Note 11 Income Taxes for further details.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance on Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as the classification of related matters in the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for annual periods, and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016 using either prospective, retrospective or modified retrospective transition method, depending on the area covered in this guidance. The Company early adopted this guidance in fiscal 2016 in order to simplify the accounting for employee share-based payments.

Under this guidance all excess tax benefits (“windfalls”) and deficiencies (“shortfalls”) related to employee stock compensation was recognized within income tax expense for the year ended September 30, 2016. Under prior guidance, windfalls were recognized to Capital in excess of par value and shortfalls were only recognized to the extent they exceed the pool of windfall tax benefits. As a result of the adoption, a tax benefit of $2,193 was recognized within income tax expense reflecting the excess tax benefits for the year ended September 30, 2016. The adoption was on a prospective basis and therefore had no impact on prior years. Additionally, income tax benefits at settlement of an award were previously reported as a reduction to operating cash flows and an increase to financing cash flows to the extent that those benefits exceeded the income tax benefits reported in earnings during the award's vesting period. Griffon has elected to apply that change in cash flow classification on a prospective basis, which has resulted in a $2,291 increase to net cash provided by operating activities and a corresponding increase to net cash used in financing activities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended September 30, 2016, as compared to the amounts previously reported. The remaining provisions of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance on management's responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company's ability to continue as a going concern and related footnote disclosures. Management is required to evaluate, at each reporting period, whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued. This guidance was effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning in 2017; implementation of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

The Company has implemented all new accounting pronouncements that are in effect and that may impact its financial statements.