ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Description of Business -

Acxiom is a global technology and enablement services company with a vision to transform data into value for everyone. Through a simple, open approach to connecting systems and data, we provide the data foundation for the world’s best marketers. By making it safe and easy to activate, validate, enhance, and unify data, we provide marketers with the ability to deliver relevant messages at scale and tie those messages back to actual results. Our products and services enable people-based marketing, allowing our clients to generate higher return on investment and drive better omni-channel customer experiences.

Acxiom is a Delaware corporation founded in 1969 in Conway, Arkansas. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ACXM.” We serve a global client base from locations in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) region. Our client list includes many of the world’s largest and best-known brands across most major industry verticals, including but not limited to financial, insurance and investment services, automotive, retail, telecommunications, high tech, healthcare, travel, entertainment, non-profit, and government.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation -

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, after elimination of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions. We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) and we consider the various staff accounting bulletins and other applicable guidance issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Use of Estimates -

In preparing Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, we must make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used in determining, among other items, the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, projected cash flows associated with recoverability of assets, restructuring and impairment accruals, litigation and facilities lease loss accruals, stock-based compensation, and the recognition and measurement of current and deferred income taxes, including the measurement of uncertain tax positions. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Discontinued Operations -

Discontinued operations comprise those activities that have been disposed of during the period or which have been classified as held for sale at the end of the period, and represent a separate major line of business or geographical area that can be clearly distinguished for operational and financial reporting purposes. In fiscal 2016, the Company sold its IT Infrastructure Management business (“ITO”) and began reporting the results of operations, cash flows and the balance sheet amounts pertaining to ITO as a component of discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements.

Unless otherwise indicated, information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations.

Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents -

The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has no restricted cash.

Revenue Recognition -

The Company’s policy follows the guidance from ASC 605, Revenue Recognition.

The Company provides marketing database services under long-term arrangements. These arrangements may require the Company to perform setup activities such as the design and build of a database, and may include other products and services purchased at the same time, or within close proximity of one another (referred to as multiple element arrangements). Each element within a multiple element arrangement is accounted for as a separate unit of accounting provided the following criteria are met: the delivered products or services have value to the customer on a standalone basis; and for an arrangement that includes a general right of return relative to the delivered products or services, delivery or performance of the undelivered product or service is considered probable and is substantially controlled by us. We consider a deliverable to have standalone value if the product or service is sold separately by us or another vendor or could be resold by the customer. Further, our revenue arrangements generally do not include a general right of return related to the delivered products. Where the aforementioned criteria for a separate unit of accounting are not met, the deliverable is combined with the undelivered element(s) and treated as a single unit of accounting for purposes of allocation of the arrangement consideration and revenue recognition.

For our multiple-element arrangements, we allocate revenue to each element based on a selling price hierarchy at the arrangement’s inception. The relative selling price for each unit of accounting in a multiple-element arrangement is established using vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE"), if available, third-party evidence ("TPE"), if available, or management’s best estimate of stand-alone selling price ("BESP"). The Company has neither VSOE nor TPE and therefore uses BESP. The total arrangement consideration is allocated to each separate unit of accounting for each of the deliverables using the relative selling prices of each unit based on the aforementioned selling price hierarchy. We limit the amount of revenue recognized for delivered elements to an amount that is not contingent upon future delivery of additional products or services or meeting any specified performance conditions.

The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. Management’s BESP is determined by considering multiple factors including actual contractual selling prices when the item is sold on a stand-alone basis, as well as market conditions, competition, internal costs, profit objectives and pricing practices. As pricing and marketing strategies evolve, we may modify our pricing practices in the future, which could result in changes to BESP, or to the development of VSOE or TPE for individual products or services. As a result, future revenue recognition for multiple-element arrangements could differ from recognition in the current period. Our relative selling prices are analyzed on an annual basis or more frequently if we experience significant changes in selling prices.

Revenues are recognized when: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) we deliver the products and services; (3) the sale price is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection is reasonably assured. Revenues that are not recognized at the time of sale because the foregoing conditions are not met are recognized when those conditions are subsequently met. Where applicable, we reduce revenue for certain incentive programs where we can sufficiently estimate the effects of these items. In some cases, the arrangements also contain provisions requiring customer acceptance of the setup activities prior to commencement of the ongoing services arrangement. Up-front fees billed during the setup phase for these arrangements are deferred and setup costs that are direct and incremental to the contract are capitalized. Revenue recognition does not begin until after customer acceptance in cases where contracts contain acceptance provisions. Once the setup phase is complete and customer acceptance occurs, the Company recognizes revenue and the related costs for each element as delivered. In situations where the arrangement does not require customer acceptance before the Company begins providing services, revenue is recognized for each element as delivered and no costs are deferred.

The Company evaluates its marketing database arrangements to determine whether the arrangement contains a lease. If the arrangement is determined to contain a lease, applicable accounting standards require the Company to account for the lease component separately from the remaining components of the arrangement. In cases where marketing database arrangements are determined to include a lease, the lease is evaluated to determine whether it is a capital lease or operating lease and accounted for accordingly. These lease revenues are not significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Sales of third-party software, hardware and certain other equipment are recognized when delivered. If such sales are part of a multiple-element arrangement, they are recognized as a separate element unless collection of the sales price is dependent upon delivery of other products or services. Additionally, the Company evaluates revenue from the sale of data, software, hardware and equipment in accordance with accounting standards to determine whether such revenue should be recognized on a gross or a net basis. All the factors in the accounting standards are considered with the primary factor being whether the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement. “Out-of-pocket” expenses incurred by, and reimbursed to, the Company in connection with customer contracts are recorded as gross revenue.

The Company also performs services on a project basis outside of, or in addition to, the scope of long-term arrangements. The Company recognizes revenue from these services as the services are performed.

All taxes assessed on revenue-producing transactions described above are presented on a net basis, or excluded from revenues.

Revenues from the licensing of data are recognized upon delivery of the data to the customer. Revenue from the licensing of data to the customer in circumstances where the license agreement contains a volume cap is recognized in proportion to the total records to be delivered under the arrangement. Revenue from the sale of data on a per-record basis is recognized as the records are delivered.

Revenues from Connectivity services are primarily recorded as monthly recurring subscription fees, and from data providers and certain digital publishers in the form of revenue-sharing agreements.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable includes amounts billed to customers as well as unbilled amounts recognized in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policies, as stated above. Unbilled amounts included in accounts receivable, which generally arise from the delivery of data and performance of services to customers in advance of billings, were $11.6 million at March 31, 2018 and $14.1 million March 31, 2017.

Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company evaluates its allowance for doubtful accounts based on a combination of factors at each reporting date. Each account or group of accounts is evaluated based on specific information known to management regarding each customer’s ability or inability to pay, as well as historical experience for each customer or group of customers, the length of time the receivable has been outstanding, and current economic conditions in the customer’s industry. Accounts receivable that are determined to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts.

A summary of the activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts, returns and credits is as follows (dollars in thousands):



								Bad debts
	Balance at		Additions					written off,
	beginning		charged to					net of			Balance at
	of		costs and		Other			amounts			end of
	period		expenses		changes			recovered			period
2016:
Allowance for doubtful accounts, returns and credits	$	4,423	$	3,673	$	56		$	(890	)	$	7,262
2017:
Allowance for doubtful accounts, returns and credits	$	7,262	$	1,859	$	(372	)	$	(2,643	)	$	6,106
2018:
Allowance for doubtful accounts, returns and credits	$	6,106	$	1,054	$	236		$	(564	)	$	6,832

Other fiscal 2018 changes in the table above result primarily from the effects of exchange rates.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue consists of amounts billed in excess of revenue recognized. Deferred revenues are subsequently recorded as revenue when earned in accordance with the Company’s revenue recognition policies.

Property and Equipment -

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: buildings and improvements, up to 30 years; data processing equipment, 2 - 5 years, and office furniture and other equipment, 3 - 7 years.

Property held under capitalized lease arrangements is included in property and equipment, and the associated liabilities are included in long-term debt. Amortization of property under capitalized leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense. Property and equipment taken out of service and held for sale is recorded at the lower of depreciated cost or net realizable value and depreciation is ceased.

Leases -

Rent expense on operating leases is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease agreement.

Software, Purchased Software Licenses, and Research and Development Costs –

Costs of internally developed software are capitalized in accordance with ASC 350-40, Internal Use Software.

The standard generally requires that research and development costs incurred prior to the beginning of the application development stage of software products are charged to operations as such costs are incurred. Once the application development stage has begun, costs are capitalized until the software is available for general release. Costs of internally developed computer software are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated economic life of the software product, generally two to five years (see Note 8 – Software Costs).

Costs of purchased software licenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic life of the license, generally not to exceed five years (see Note 8 – Software Costs).

Capitalized software, including both purchased and internally developed, is reviewed when facts and circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable and, if necessary, the Company reduces the carrying value of each product to its fair value.

Business Combinations –

We apply the provisions of ASC 805, Business Combinations, in accounting for its acquisitions. It requires us to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use our best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as any contingent consideration, where applicable, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to our consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets -

Goodwill is measured and tested for impairment on an annual basis in the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. In performing our goodwill impairment test, we first evaluate goodwill to determine if it is more likely than not that the occurrence of an event or change in circumstances has reduced the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The qualitative assessment requires that we consider events or circumstances that may include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, and changes in our stock price. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units is greater than the carrying amounts, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not performed.

If the qualitative assessment indicates that the two-step quantitative analysis should be performed, we evaluate goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of each of our reporting units to its carrying value, including the associated goodwill. To determine the fair values, we use the equal weighting of the market approach based on comparable publicly traded companies in similar lines of businesses and the income approach based on estimated discounted future cash flows. Our cash flow assumptions consider historical forecasted revenue, operating costs and other relevant factors.

We completed our annual impairment test during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. We determined, after performing a qualitative review of each reporting unit, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units exceeds the respective carrying amounts. Accordingly, there was no indication of impairment, and the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test was not performed. We did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges in fiscal 2017. During fiscal 2016, we recognized a $5.4 million goodwill impairment loss related to our APAC Audience Solutions segment and a $0.5 million goodwill impairment loss related to our Brazil operation.

We amortize intangible assets with finite lives over their estimated useful lives and review them for impairment whenever an impairment indicator exists. We continually monitor events and changes in circumstances that could indicate carrying amounts of our long-lived assets, including our intangible assets, may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, we assess recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through the undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of these assets, we recognize an impairment loss based on any excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. We did not recognize any intangible asset impairment charges in fiscal 2018, 2017, or 2016.

During fiscal 2018, our intangible assets were amortized over their estimated useful lives ranging from two years to ten years. Amortization is based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset will be consumed or on a straight-line basis when the consumption pattern is not apparent. The weighted average useful lives of our intangible assets were as follows:



		Weighted Average Useful Life (years)
Developed technology		4
Customer relationships		6
Trade names		3
Publisher relationships		6

Impairment of Long-lived Assets -

Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company considers factors such as operating losses, declining outlooks, and business conditions when evaluating the necessity for an impairment analysis. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. If such assets are impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

During fiscal 2016, in conjunction with the goodwill impairment tests noted above, the Company also tested certain other long-lived assets in the affected units for impairment. The Company recorded impairment charges of $0.9 million related to other long-lived assets, primarily property and equipment.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments -

We apply the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, to our assets and liabilities that we are required to measure at fair value pursuant to other accounting standards. The additional disclosure regarding our fair value measurements is included in Note 16.

Concentration of Credit Risk -

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts, unbilled and notes receivable. The Company’s receivables are from a large number of customers. Accordingly, the Company’s credit risk is affected by general economic conditions. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions more than federally insured limits. Management, however, believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.

Income Taxes -

The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries file separate income tax returns in the countries in which their operations are based.

The Company makes estimates and judgments in determining the provision for income taxes for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of tax credits, benefits, and deductions, and in the calculation of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities that arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes, as well as the interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. Significant changes in these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to the tax provision in a subsequent period. The Company assesses the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the Company increases the provision for taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that it estimates will not ultimately be recoverable. The Company believes that the deferred tax assets recorded on the consolidated balance sheets will be ultimately recovered. However, should a change occur in the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, its tax provision would increase in the period in which the Company determined that the recovery was not likely.

The calculation of tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations. The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining whether the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. If the Company determines that a tax position will more likely than not be sustained on audit, the second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the Company must determine the probability of various outcomes.

The Company re-evaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors such as changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, new audit activity, and effectively settled issues. Determining whether an uncertain tax position is effectively settled requires judgment. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

The Tax Act significantly changes U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among other things, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Accordingly, the Company made a provisional remeasurement of its federal deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the lower tax rate enacted during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. See Note 13 - Income Taxes for additional information.

Foreign Currency -

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of our foreign operations generally is the applicable local currency for each foreign subsidiary. The balance sheets of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated at period-end rates of exchange, and the statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income.

Advertising Expense -

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was approximately $11.6 million, $9.3 million and $5.9 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Advertising expense is included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Guarantees -

The Company accounts for the guarantees of indebtedness of others under applicable accounting standards which require a guarantor to recognize, at the inception of the guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. A guarantor is also required to make additional disclosures in its financial statements about obligations under certain guarantees issued. The Company’s liability for the fair value of guarantees is not material (see Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies).

Legal Contingencies -

We are currently involved in various claims and legal proceedings. Quarterly, we review the status of each significant matter and assess our potential financial exposure. We accrue a liability for an estimated loss if the potential loss from any claim or legal proceeding is considered probable, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies, provides additional information regarding certain of our legal contingencies.

Earnings (Loss) per Share -

A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	2018		2017		2016
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	23,480	$	4,108	$	(8,648	)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		—		15,351
Net earnings	$	23,480	$	4,108	$	6,703
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	78,891		77,609		77,616
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	$	0.30	$	0.05	$	(0.11	)
Discontinued operations	—		—		0.20
Net earnings	$	0.30	$	0.05	$	0.09
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	78,891		77,609		77,616
Dilutive effect of common stock options, warrants, and restricted stock as computed under the treasury stock method	2,625		2,239		—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	81,516		79,848		77,616
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	$	0.29	$	0.05	$	(0.11	)
Discontinued operations	—		—		0.20
Net earnings	$	0.29	$	0.05	$	0.09

Due to the net loss from continuing operations in fiscal 2016, the dilutive effect of options, warrants and restricted stock units covering 1.5 million shares of common stock was excluded from the earnings per share calculation since the impact on the calculation was anti-dilutive. Additional options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock and restricted stock units that were outstanding during the periods presented but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the effect was anti-dilutive are shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	2018					2017					2016
Number of shares outstanding under options, warrants and restricted stock units	20					90					1,654
Range of exercise prices for options	$	32.85	-	$	32.85	$	27.77	-	$	32.85	$	17.49	-	$	62.06

Stock-based Compensation -

The Company records stock-based compensation expense according to the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. ASC Topic 718 requires all stock-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statement of operations over the service period of the award based on their fair values. Under the provisions of ASC Topic 718, the Company determines the appropriate fair value model to be used for valuing stock-based payments and the amortization method for compensation cost.

The Company has stock option plans and equity compensation plans (collectively referred to as the “stock-based plans”) administered by the compensation committee (“compensation committee”) of the board of directors under which options and restricted stock units were outstanding as of March 31, 2018.

The Company’s equity compensation plan provides that all associates (employees, officers, directors, affiliates, independent contractors or consultants) are eligible to receive awards (grant of any option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock award, restricted stock unit award, performance award, performance share, performance unit, qualified performance-based award, or other stock unit award) under the plan with the terms and conditions applicable to an award set forth in applicable grant documents.

Incentive stock option awards granted under the stock-based plans cannot be granted with an exercise price less than 100% of the per-share market value of the Company’s shares at the date of grant and have a maximum duration of ten years from the date of grant. Board policy currently requires that nonqualified options also must be priced at or above the fair market value of the common stock at the time of grant with a maximum duration of ten years.

Restricted stock units may be issued under the equity compensation plan and represent the right to receive shares in the future by way of an award agreement which includes vesting provisions. Award agreements can further provide for forfeitures triggered by certain prohibited activities, such as breach of confidentiality. All restricted stock units will be expensed over the vesting period and adjusted for forfeitures as incurred. The vesting of some restricted stock units is subject to the Company’s achievement of certain performance criteria, as well as the individual remaining employed by the Company for a period of years.

The Company also has outstanding performance-based stock appreciation rights and performance-based stock units. These are expensed over the vesting period of the award.

The Company receives income tax deductions because of the exercise of nonqualified stock options and the vesting of other stock-based awards. These excess tax benefits and deficiencies are included as a component of income tax expense and reflected as an operating cash flow included in changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Restructuring –

The Company records costs associated with employee terminations and other exit activity in accordance with ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, depending on whether the costs relate to exit or disposal activities under the accounting standards, or whether they are other post-employment termination benefits. Under applicable accounting standards for exit or disposal costs, the Company records employee termination benefits as an operating expense when the benefit arrangement is communicated to the employee and no significant future services are required. Under the accounting standards related to post employment termination benefits the Company records employee termination benefits when the termination benefits are probable and can be estimated. The Company recognizes the present value of facility lease termination obligations, net of estimated sublease income and other exit costs, when the Company has future payments with no future economic benefit or a commitment to pay the termination costs of a prior commitment. In future periods the Company will record accretion expense to increase the liability to an amount equal to the estimated future cash payments necessary to exit the leases. This requires judgment and management estimation to determine the expected time frame for securing a subtenant, the amount of sublease income to be received and the appropriate discount rate to calculate the present value of the future cash flows. Should actual lease exit costs differ from estimates, the Company may be required to adjust the restructuring charge which will impact net earnings in the period any adjustment is recorded.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards –

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business" ("ASU 2017-01"), which amended the existing FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The standard provides additional guidance to assist entities with evaluation of whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting, including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. ASU 2017-01 is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019, with early adoptions permitted. We adopted the standard in the current fiscal year, on a prospective basis, and adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" ("ASU 2016-18"). This standard is intended to reduce diversity in the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The standard requires that restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included as components of total cash and cash equivalents as presented on the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal 2019 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years; earlier adoption is permitted. We adopted the standard during the current fiscal year. Early adoption did not result in any changes to our existing accounting policies, presentation of items in our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, or any changes resulting from the retrospective application to all periods reported.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09"), which is intended to improve the accounting for stock-based payment transactions as part of the FASB's simplification initiative. The ASU changes five aspects of the accounting for stock-based payment award transactions that will affect public companies, including: (1) accounting for income taxes; (2) classification of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows; (3) forfeitures; (4) minimum statutory tax withholding requirements; and (5) classification of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes. The inclusion of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as a component of our income tax provision will increase volatility within our provision for income taxes as the amount of excess tax benefits or deficiencies from stock-based compensation awards depends on our stock price at the date the awards vest or the date of option exercises. This guidance also requires excess tax benefits to be presented as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows and allows an entity to make an accounting policy election to either estimate expected forfeitures or to account for them as they occur.

We adopted ASU No. 2016-09 during the current fiscal year, which required us to reflect any adjustments as of April 1, 2017. We elected to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than estimating expected forfeitures. We recorded the cumulative impact of adoption through an increase in retained earnings of $2.2 million, of which $2.6 million related to deferred tax assets from certain federal and state research tax credit carryforwards attributable to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation that had not been previously recognized, offset by $0.4 million related to elimination of the forfeiture pool. We elected to prospectively adopt the effect on the statement of cash flows and accordingly, did not restate the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted –

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 719): Scope of Modification Accounting" ("ASU 2017-09"). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a stock-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. ASU 2017-09 will reduce diversity in practice and result in fewer changes to the terms of an award being accounted for as modifications. Under ASU 2017-09, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a stock-based payment award if the award's fair value, vesting conditions and classification as an equity or liability instrument are the same immediately before and after the change. ASU 2017-09 will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2017-09 is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect it to have a material impact.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" ("ASU 2017-04"), which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal 2021 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years; earlier adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" ("ASU 2016-02"), as a comprehensive new standard that amends various aspects of existing guidance for leases and requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements. The new standard will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases except for short-term leases. For lessees, leases will continue to be classified as either operating or finance in the income statement. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model. Lessors will continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing or sales-type leases. Subsequently, the FASB has issued various ASU's to provide further clarification around certain aspects of Topic 842. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the new standard on April 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued update ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016 and December 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively. Topic 606 supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The core principle of the new guidance is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred 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 guidance defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing GAAP, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation, among others. Topic 606 also provides guidance on the recognition of costs related to obtaining customer contracts. Companies may adopt Topic 606 using a full retrospective or modified retrospective method. The Company adopted the standard on April 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method.

During fiscal 2018, the Company completed its evaluation of Topic 606. Based on the evaluation, the Company does not expect it to have a material impact on its results of operations or cash flows in the periods after adoption. Most revenue streams will be recorded consistently under both the current standard and new standard; however, the Company noted the following impact:

Under the current standard, we expense costs related to the acquisition of revenue-generating contracts as incurred. Under the new standard, we will be required to capitalize incremental costs to acquire contracts and amortize them over the expected period of benefit, which we have determined as a range from two to five years.

At April 1, 2018, the Company expects to record the cumulative impact of Topic 606 through an increase in retained earnings of approximately $12.5 million rather than retrospectively adjusting prior periods. The cumulative adjustment will primarily relate to the capitalization of certain costs incremental to contract acquisition.

Topic 606 also requires expanded disclosure regarding the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue transactions, and costs incurred to obtain customer contracts. The Company has evaluated these disclosure requirements and incorporated the collection of relevant data into its reporting process. These disclosures will be reflected beginning in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of any other recent accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.