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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
(a)
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
 
(b)
Revenue Recognition
 
The majority of our bioanalytical and analytical research service contracts involve the development of analytical methods and the processing of bioanalytical samples for pharmaceutical companies and generally provide for a fixed fee for each sample processed. Revenue is recognized under the specific performance method of accounting and the related direct costs are recognized when services are performed. Our preclinical research service contracts generally consist of preclinical studies, and revenue is recognized under the proportional performance method of accounting. Revisions in profit estimates, if any, are reflected on a cumulative basis in the period in which such revisions become known. The establishment of contract prices and total contract costs involves estimates we make at the inception of the contract. These estimates could change during the term of the contract and impact the revenue and costs reported in the consolidated financial statements. Revisions to estimates have generally not been material. Research service contract fees received upon acceptance are deferred until earned, and classified within customer advances. Unbilled revenues represent revenues earned under contracts in advance of billings.
 
Beginning in calendar year 2017, we began to recognize archive revenue when the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) services have been rendered; (3) the invoice price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Archiving revenues are recognized in the month the service is provided, and customers are generally billed on a monthly basis on contractually agreed-upon terms. Amounts related to future archiving or prepaid archiving contracts for customers where archiving fees are billed in advance are accounted for as deferred revenue and recognized ratably over the period the applicable archive service is performed. For archiving revenues that were billed for services rendered prior to calendar year 2017, revenue is recognized when the invoice is paid by the customer.
 
Product revenue from sales of equipment not requiring installation, testing or training is recognized upon shipment to customers. One product includes internally developed software and requires installation, testing and training, which occur concurrently. Revenue from these sales is recognized upon completion of the installation, testing and training when the services are bundled with the equipment sale.
 
 
(c)
Cash Equivalents
 
We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2018, we did not have any cash accounts that exceeded federally insured limits.
 
 
(d)
Accounts Receivable
 
We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial conditions and generally do not require collateral on trade accounts receivable. We account for trade receivables based on the amounts billed to customers. Past due receivables are determined based on contractual terms. We do not accrue interest on any of our trade receivables. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined by management based on our historical losses, specific customer circumstances, and general economic conditions. Periodically, management reviews accounts receivable and adjusts the allowance based on current circumstances and charges off uncollectible receivables when all attempts to collect have failed. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,948 and $2,404 at September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in fiscal 2017 stemmed from the uncollected archive invoices from the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Until these are collected, they are not recorded as earned revenue and will remain in the reserve. A summary of activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
 
 
 
Fiscal year ended September 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Opening balance
 
$
2,404
 
 
$
565
 
Charged to expense
 
 
16
 
 
 
 
Accounts written off
 
 
(20
)
 
 
 
Establishment of archive reserve
 
 
 
 
 
3,216
 
Uncollected archive invoices
 
 
(452
)
 
 
(1,377
)
Ending balance
 
$
1,948
 
 
$
2,404
 
 
 
(e)
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost method of accounting. We evaluate inventories on a regular basis to identify inventory on hand that may be obsolete or in excess of current and future projected market demand. For inventory deemed to be obsolete, we provide a reserve. Inventory that is in excess of current and projected use is reduced by an allowance to a level that approximates the estimate of future demand. A summary of activity in our inventory obsolescence is as follows for the years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:
 
 
 
Fiscal year ended September 30,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Opening balance
 
$
211
 
 
$
288
 
Provision for slow moving and obsolescence
 
 
79
 
 
 
92
 
Write-off of obsolete and slow moving inventory
 
 
(102
)
 
 
(169
)
Closing balance
 
$
188
 
 
$
211
 
 
 
(f)
Property and Equipment
 
We record property and equipment at cost, including interest capitalized during the period of construction of major facilities. We compute depreciation, including amortization on capital leases, using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which we estimate to be: buildings and improvements,
34
to 40 years; machinery and equipment, 5 to 10 years, and office furniture and fixtures, 10 years. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred unless the life of the asset is extended beyond one year, which would qualify for asset treatment. Depreciation expense was $1,686 in fiscal 2018 and $1,515 in fiscal 2017. Property and equipment, net, as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following:
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Land and improvements
 
$
1,029
 
 
$
1,001
 
Buildings and improvements
 
 
22,194
 
 
 
22,090
 
Machinery and equipment
 
 
23,818
 
 
 
19,059
 
Office furniture and fixtures
 
 
829
 
 
 
638
 
Construction in progress
 
 
565
 
 
 
57
 
 
 
 
48,435
 
 
 
42,845
 
Less: accumulated depreciation
 
 
(31,825
)
 
 
(27,880
)
Net property and equipment
 
$
16,610
 
 
$
14,965
 
 
 
(g)
Long-Lived Assets including Goodwill
 
Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized of the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.
 
 
We carry goodwill at cost. Other intangible assets with definite lives are stated at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. All intangible assets acquired that are obtained through contractual or legal right, or are capable of being separately sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, are recognized as an asset apart from goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized. At September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, the remaining recorded goodwill was $3,072 and $38. The increase of $3,034 is attributable to the Seventh Wave acquisition as described in Note 11.
 
We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis is accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles- Goodwill and Other. In evaluating the goodwill, we must make assumptions regarding the discounted future cash flows of the reporting unit with goodwill. If the discounted cash flows are less than the carrying value, we then determine if an impairment loss is recognized by evaluating the fair value of the goodwill. We utilize fair value techniques accepted by ASC 820, which include the income, market and cost approach.  If the fair value of the goodwill is less than the carrying amount, we recognize an impairment loss. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes and to estimate future cash flows. Assumptions used in our impairment evaluations, such as forecasted sales growth rates and our cost of capital or discount rate, are based on the best available market information. Changes in these estimates or a continued decline in general economic conditions could change our conclusion regarding an impairment of goodwill and potentially result in a non-cash impairment loss in a future period. The assumptions used in our impairment testing could be adversely affected by certain risks. 
 
Our reporting units with goodwill at September 30, 2018 was preclinical services and St. Louis services, which are included in our Services operating segment, based on the discrete financial information available which is reviewed by management. We performed our annual goodwill impairment test for the Preclinical and St. Louis Services reporting units at September 30, 2018 and there was no indication of
impairment. There have been no significant events since the timing of our impairment tests that would have triggered additional impairment testing after fiscal year-end.
 
We amortize costs of patents and licenses, which are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the amortization expense associated with these was $6 and $6, respectively.
 
 
(h)
Stock-Based Compensation
 
We have a stock-based employee compensation plan and a stock-based employee and outside director compensation plan, which are described more fully in Note 9. All options granted under these plans have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common shares on the date of grant. We expense the estimated fair value of stock options over the vesting periods of the grants. Our policy is to recognize expense for awards subject to graded vesting using the straight-line attribution method, reduced for estimated forfeitures.
 
We use a binomial option-pricing model as our method of valuation for share-based awards, requiring us to make certain assumptions about the future, which are more fully described in Note 9.
 
 
(i)
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We record valuation allowances based on a determination of the expected realization of tax assets.
 
We may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of the accrual for which an exposure exists is measured as the largest amount of benefit determined on a cumulative probability basis that we believe is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement of the position.
 
We record interest and penalties accrued in relation to uncertain income tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Any changes in the liability for uncertain tax positions would impact our effective tax rate. We do not expect the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
 
(j)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The provisions of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and provides the disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. This Topic also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s judgment about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the inputs as follows:
 
Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
 
Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
 
Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
 
The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventories, prepaid expenses and other assets, accounts payable and other accruals approximate their fair values because of their nature and respective duration. The carrying value of the credit facility entered into in fiscal 2017 approximates fair value since it was signed just over a year ago and subsequently amended in the current fiscal year.
 
We used an interest rate swap, designated as a hedge, to fix 60% of the debt from our Huntington credit facility. We did not enter into this derivative transaction to speculate on interest rates, but to hedge interest rate risk. The swap was recognized on the balance sheet at its fair value. The fair value was determined utilizing a cash flow model that takes into consideration interest rates and other inputs observable in the market from similar types of instruments, and was therefore considered a level 2 measurement. The interest rate swap was terminated as a result of the new credit facility described in Note 7 and the balance was reduced to zero in fiscal 2017.
 
As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not have any financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
 
(k)
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates as part of the issuance of these consolidated financial statements include but are not limited to the determination of fair values, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, deferred tax valuations, depreciation, impairment charges and stock compensation. Our actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
(l)
Research and Development
 
In fiscal 2018 and 2017, we incurred $596 and $465, respectively, on research and development. Separate from our contract research services business, we maintain applications research and development to enhance our products business. We expense research and development costs as incurred.
 
 
(m)
Interest Rate Swap
 
The Company used an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge to fix the interest rate on 60% of its prior debt with Huntington Bank due to changes in interest rates. The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap were recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) to the extent effective. We assessed on an ongoing basis whether the derivative that was used in the hedging transaction was highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged debt. The terms of the interest rate swaps matched the terms of the underlying debt resulting in no ineffectiveness. When we determine that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, hedge accounting would be discontinued and we would have reclassified gains or losses that were accumulated in AOCI to other income (expense), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). The interest rate swap was terminated as a result of the new credit facility in Note 7 below and the balance was reduced to zero as of June 30, 2017.
 
 
(n)
Debt issuance costs
 
The Company capitalizes costs associated with the issuance of debt and amortizes them as additional interest expense over the lives of the debt on a straight-line basis, which approximates the effective interest method. The Company believes the difference between the straight-line basis and the effective interest method is not material to the consolidated financial statements. Debt issuance costs of $159 and $64, as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were netted with long-term debt less current portion on the consolidated balance sheets. Upon prepayment of the related debt, the Company accelerates the recognition of an appropriate amount of the costs as refinancing or extinguishment of debt.
 
 
(o)
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
Effective October 1, 2018, the Company will be required to adopt the new guidance of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Topic 606 requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company will be required to adopt Topic 606 either on a full retrospective basis to each prior reporting period presented or on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance recognized at the date of initial application. If the Company elects the modified retrospective approach, it will be required to provide additional disclosures of the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period, as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change, and an explanation of the reasons for significant changes. The Company has assessed the impact of adoption on its material revenue streams, evaluated the new disclosure requirements, and identified and implemented appropriate changes to its business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. We expect to adopt Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach. Based on completing the assessment, the Company has determined that the adoption of the guidance will not result in a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance on leases which, for operating leases, requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects of adoption and have not yet determined the impact the revised guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
 
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), which addresses eight specific cash flow issues and is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, 
Business Combinations – Clarifying the definition of a business
 (Topic 805). This ASU clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of providing a more robust framework to evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are to be applied prospectively to business combinations that occur after the effective date.
The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the previous guidance an impairment of goodwill exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, whereas under the new guidance a goodwill impairment loss would be recognized if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The ASU is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests for periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.
The Company early adopted this ASU during fiscal 2018 with no material impact to our consolidated financial statements.