Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Such estimates include the valuation of estimated credit losses, contract assets, operating lease right-of-use assets, outsourcing assets, marketable software, goodwill, purchased intangibles and other long-lived assets, legal and environmental contingencies, assumptions used in the calculation for systems integration projects, income taxes and retirement and other post-employment benefits, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment such as rising interest rates, inflation, fluctuation in foreign exchange rates and conflicts and other events of geopolitical significance, will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

The company’s accounting policies are set forth in detail in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC. Such Annual Report also contains a discussion of the company’s critical accounting policies and estimates. The company believes that these critical accounting policies and estimates affect its more significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of the company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which enhances reportable segment disclosure requirements including disclosures about significant segment expenses on an annual and interim basis. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and requires application on a retrospective basis. This ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU enhances disclosures relating to the rate reconciliation and requires income taxes paid disclosures disaggregated by jurisdiction among other amendments. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted and should be applied a prospective basis with a retrospective application permitted. This ASU is not expected to have a material effect on the company’s consolidated financial statements.