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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Adtalem and its controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Where our ownership interest is less than 100%, but greater than 50%, the noncontrolling ownership interest is reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The noncontrolling ownership interest earnings portion is classified as “net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest from discontinued operations” in our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). Unless indicated, or the context requires otherwise, references to years refer to Adtalem’s fiscal years. Certain prior periods amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Although our current estimates contemplate current conditions, including the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, and how we anticipate them to change in the future, as appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could differ from what was anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition. On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, which recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. COVID-19 and the response of governmental and public health organizations in dealing with the pandemic included restricting general activity levels within communities, the economy, and operations of our customers. While we have experienced an impact to our business, operations, and financial results as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may have even more far-reaching impacts on many aspects of our operations including the impact on customer behaviors, business operations, our employees, and the market in general. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from management’s current estimates due to inherent uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of COVID-19, actions taken to contain the virus, the efficacy and distribution of the vaccines, as well as, how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value. We maintain cash and cash equivalent balances that exceed federally-insured limits. We have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents amounts received from federal and state governments under various student aid grant and loan programs and such restricted funds are held in separate bank accounts. Once the financial aid authorization and disbursement process for the student has been completed, the funds are transferred to unrestricted accounts, and these funds then become available for use in Adtalem’s operations. This authorization and disbursement process that precedes the transfer of funds generally occurs within the period of the academic term for which such funds were authorized. See Note 13 “Debt” for information related to funds held in an escrow account to fund the Walden acquisition and is recorded within restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2021.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost and is depreciated on the straight-line method. Cost includes additions and those improvements that enhance performance, increase the capacity, or lengthen the useful lives of the assets. Purchases of computer software, including external costs and certain internal costs (including payroll and payroll-related costs of employees) directly associated with developing computer software applications for internal use, are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Upon sale or retirement of an asset, the accounts are relieved of the cost and the related accumulated depreciation, with any resulting gain or loss included in income. Assets under construction are reflected in construction in progress until they are placed into service for their intended use.

Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the asset, whichever is shorter.

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated service lives. These lives range from 5 to 40 years for buildings and leasehold improvements, and from 3 to 8 years for computers, furniture, and equipment.

See Note 10 “Property and Equipment, Net” for additional information.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist. Our annual testing date is May 31.

Adtalem first assesses goodwill for impairment qualitatively for each reporting unit that contains goodwill. Management analyzes factors that include results of operations and business conditions, significant changes in cash flows at the reporting unit level, as well as how much previously calculated fair values exceed carrying values to determine if it is more likely than not that the reporting units have been impaired. If there is reason to believe the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then management performs a quantitative impairment review. Adtalem uses a discounted cash flow model to compute fair value. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are based on management’s projection of revenue, gross margin, operating costs, and cash flows considering planned business and operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon of five years. These reporting units constitute components for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit containing the goodwill exceeds the fair value of that reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent of the excess, up to the amount of goodwill recorded.

For indefinite-lived intangible assets, management first analyzes qualitative factors, including results of operations and business conditions of each reporting unit that contain indefinite-lived intangible assets, significant changes in cash flows at the individual indefinite-lived intangible asset level, if applicable, as well as how much previously calculated fair values exceed carrying values to determine if it is more likely than not that the intangible assets associated with these reporting units have been impaired. If there is reason to believe the carrying value of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, then management performs a quantitative impairment review. In calculating fair value, Adtalem uses various valuation techniques including a royalty rate model for trade names and a discounted cash flow model for Title IV eligibility and accreditation. The estimated fair values of these indefinite-lived intangible assets are based on management’s projection of revenue, gross margin, operating costs, and cash flows considering planned business and operational strategies over a long-term planning horizon of five years. The assumed royalty rates and the growth rates used to project cash flows and operating results are based upon historical results and analysis of the economic environment in which the reporting units that record indefinite-lived intangible assets operate. The valuations employ present value techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors. Management believes the assumptions used for the impairment testing are consistent with those that would be utilized by a market participant in performing similar valuations of its indefinite-lived intangible assets. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

For intangible assets with finite lives, we evaluate for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset or asset group. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their expected economic lives, ranging from 3 to 5 years.

All intangible assets and certain goodwill are being amortized for tax reporting purposes over statutory lives.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an intangible asset involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from those estimates, which could lead to future impairments of goodwill or intangible assets. See Note 12 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information on our goodwill and intangible assets impairment analysis.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is no longer recoverable based upon the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group, the amount of the impairment is the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset or asset group. Events that may trigger an impairment analysis could include a decision by management to exit a market or a line of business or to consolidate operating locations.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

Shares that are repurchased by Adtalem under its share repurchase programs are recorded as treasury stock at cost and result in a reduction in shareholders’ equity. See Note 15 “Share Repurchases” for additional information.

From time to time, shares of our common stock are delivered back to Adtalem under a swap arrangement resulting from employees’ exercise of stock options pursuant to the terms of the Adtalem’s stock-based incentive plans (see Note 17 “Stock-Based Compensation”). In addition, shares of our common stock are delivered back to Adtalem for payment of withholding taxes from employees for vesting restricted stock units (“RSUs”). These shares are recorded as treasury stock at cost and result in a reduction in shareholders’ equity.

Treasury shares are reissued at market value, less a 10% discount, to the Adtalem Colleague Stock Purchase Plan in exchange for employee payroll deductions. The 10% discount is considered compensatory and recorded as an expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). When treasury shares are reissued, Adtalem uses an average cost method to reduce the treasury stock balance. Gains on the difference between the average cost and the reissuance price, less the amount recorded as expense, are credited to additional paid-in capital. Losses on the difference are charged to additional paid-in capital to the extent that previous net gains from reissuance are included therein, otherwise such losses are charged to retained earnings.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income or loss attributable to Adtalem by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income or loss attributable to Adtalem by diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted shares are computed using the treasury stock method and reflect the additional shares that would be outstanding if dilutive stock-based grants were exercised during the period. Diluted EPS considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities, except in periods in which there is a loss from continuing operations, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Adtalem accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Adtalem also recognizes future tax benefits associated with tax loss and credit carryforwards as deferred tax assets. Adtalem’s deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, when in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Adtalem measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which Adtalem expects to recover or settle the temporary differences. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in the period that the change is enacted. Adtalem reduces its net tax assets for the estimated additional tax and interest that may result from tax authorities disputing uncertain tax positions Adtalem has taken.

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges include costs for severance and related benefits for workforce reductions, impairments on operating lease assets, and losses on disposals of property and equipment related to campus and administrative office consolidations and contract termination costs (see Note 6 “Restructuring Charges”). When estimating the costs of exiting lease space, estimates are made which could differ materially from actual results and result in additional restructuring charges or reversals in future periods.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and totaled $190.7 million, $72.7 million, and $67.3 million for the years ended June 30, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The increase in advertising costs for the year ended June 30, 2022 was driven by the Walden acquisition during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. Advertising costs are included in student services and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial position and results of operations of the AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM Caribbean operations are measured using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. As such, there is no translation gain or loss associated with these operations. Adtalem Brazil’s and EduPristine’s operations and Becker’s and ACAMS’s international operations are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these entities are translated to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at monthly average exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as foreign currency translation adjustments in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Transaction gains or losses during each of the fiscal years presented were not material.

Recent Accounting Standards

Recent Accounting Standards

Recently adopted accounting standards

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13: “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The guidance was issued to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected losses on financial instruments by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses by requiring a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance, along with the related clarifications and improvements, effective July 1, 2020 using the modified-retrospective approach without adjusting prior comparative periods. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and therefore, no adjustments were made to retained earnings.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12: “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” The guidance was issued as part of FASB’s overall simplification initiative to reduce costs and complexity of applying accounting standards while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. Amendments include removal of certain exceptions to the general principles of Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” and simplification in several other areas. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance on July 1, 2021 and it did not have a material impact on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08: “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.” The amendments require that an entity (acquirer) recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606. At the acquisition date, an acquirer should account for the related revenue contracts in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. We adopted this guidance on July 1, 2022 and will apply the revised guidance to any future business combinations.

Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted

In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02: “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures.” The guidance was issued as improvements to ASU No. 2016-13. The vintage disclosure changes are relevant to Adtalem and require an entity to disclose current-period gross writeoffs by year of origination for financing receivables. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management expects to implement

this guidance effective July 1, 2023. The amendments will impact our disclosures but will not otherwise impact Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

We reviewed all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.