SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 26, 2014

Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TrueBlue and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

The consolidated financial statements include the results of operations and cash flows of Seaton from the acquisition date to December 26, 2014 and not from any prior periods, except with respect to the unaudited pro forma information included in Note 2: Acquisitions.

Fiscal period end

We utilize a 52 or 53 week fiscal year, ending on the last Friday of December. The three most recent years ended on December 26, 2014, December 27, 2013, and December 28, 2012, all of which contained 52 weeks. Seaton has a fiscal period end of the last Sunday of the December. Seaton’s results for the period from the acquisition date to December 28, 2014 have been combined with TrueBlue’s results for the year ended December 26, 2014.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized at the time the service is provided and is net of adjustments related to customer credits. Revenue also includes billable travel and other reimbursable costs. Customer discounts or other incentives are recognized in the period the related revenue is earned. Revenues are reported net of sales, use, or other transaction taxes collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities.

We record revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent in the consolidated statement of operations. We have determined that gross reporting as a principal is the appropriate treatment based upon the following key factors:


•	We maintain the direct contractual relationship with the customer;


•	We have discretion in selecting and assigning the temporary workers to particular jobs and establishing their billing rate; and


•	We bear the risk and rewards of the transaction, including credit risk, if the customer fails to pay for services performed.

Cost of Services

Cost of services are costs directly associated with the earning of revenue and primarily includes wages and related payroll taxes and workers’ compensation expenses. Cost of services also includes billable travel and other reimbursable costs.

Advertising costs

Advertising costs consist primarily of print and other promotional activities. We expense advertisements as of the first date the advertisements take place. Advertising expenses included in Selling, general and administrative expenses were $6.2 million, $4.0 million, and $3.7 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities

We consider all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments with original maturities greater than three months are classified as marketable securities. Our marketable securities consist of certificates of deposit ("CDs"), variable-rate demand notes ("VRDNs"), and commercial paper. All of our marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss). We do not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. Our investment policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity, and return. From time to time, we may sell certain securities but the objective is generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. We manage our cash equivalents and marketable securities as a single portfolio of highly liquid securities.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount together with interest for certain past due accounts. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the failure of our customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on current collection efforts, historical collection trends, write-off experience, customer credit risk, and current economic data. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly and represents our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. Past due balances are written off when it is probable the receivable will not be collected. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $7.6 million and $5.7 million as of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013, respectively.

Restricted cash and investments

Cash and investments pledged as collateral and restricted to use for workers' compensation insurance programs are included as Restricted cash and investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our investments consist of highly rated investment grade debt securities, which are rated A1/P1 or higher for short-term securities and A- or higher for long-term securities, by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We have the positive intent and ability to hold all these investments until maturity in accordance with our investment policy and, accordingly, all of our investments are classified as held-to-maturity. In the event that an investment is downgraded, it is replaced with a highly rated investment grade security. We review for impairment on a quarterly basis and do not consider temporary unrealized losses to be an impairment.

We have an agreement with AIG and the Bank of New York Mellon creating a trust ("Trust"), which holds the majority of our collateral obligations under existing workers' compensation insurance policies. Placing the collateral in the Trust allows us to manage the investment of the assets and provides greater protection of those assets.

Fair value off financial instruments and investments

Fair value of financial instruments and investments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments. The fair value of our restricted investments is based upon the quoted market price on the last business day of the fiscal reporting period. Where an observable quoted market price for a security does not exist, we estimate fair value using a variety of valuation methodologies, which include observable inputs for comparable instruments and unobservable inputs. There are inherent limitations when estimating the fair value of financial instruments and the fair values reported are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in current market transactions.

Property equipment

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.



	Years
Buildings	40
Computers and software	3 - 10
Furniture and equipment	3 - 10

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the related non-cancelable lease term, which is typically 90 days, or their estimated useful lives.

Non-capital expenditures associated with opening new branch locations are expensed as incurred.

When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss, net of proceeds, is reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Repairs and maintenance costs are charged directly to expense as incurred. Major renewals or replacements that substantially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated.

Costs associated with the acquisition or development of software for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the software, from three to ten years. A subsequent addition, modification, or upgrade to internal-use software is capitalized to the extent that it enhances the software's functionality or extends its useful life. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period incurred.

Finite-lived intangible assets

Intangible assets consist of identifiable intangible assets acquired through acquisitions and include trade names/trademarks, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, and acquired technology. We amortize intangible assets, other than trade names and trademarks with an indefinite life, using the straight-line method over their useful lives. We amortize non-compete covenants using the straight-line method over the lives of the related agreements.

Leases

We conduct our branch office operations from leased locations. Many leases require payment of real estate taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance, in addition to rent. The terms of our lease agreements generally range from three to five years with options to cancel within 90 days of notification. Most of the leases contain renewal options and escalation clauses.

For leases that contain predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rent, we recognize the related rent expense on a straight-line basis from the date we take possession of the property to the end of the minimum lease term. We record any difference between the straight-line rent amounts and amounts payable under the leases as part of deferred rent, in accrued liabilities or long-term liabilities, as appropriate.

Cash or lease incentives received upon entering into certain branch leases ("tenant allowances") are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent from the date we take possession of the property through the end of the initial lease term. We record the unamortized portion of tenant allowances as a part of deferred rent, in accrued liabilities or long-term liabilities, as appropriate.

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets

We had historically evaluated our goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually as of the last day of our fiscal third quarter or when indications of potential impairment exist. In the first quarter of 2014, we changed the date of our annual assessment of goodwill impairment to the first day of our fiscal second quarter of each year. This is a change in method of applying an accounting principle, which management believes is preferable because it better aligns the timing of the assessment with our planning and forecasting process and alleviates constraints on accounting resources during our annual reporting process. The change in the assessment date did not delay, accelerate, or avoid a potential impairment charge. Due to significant judgments and estimates utilized in our goodwill impairment analysis, management has determined that it was impracticable to objectively determine projected cash flows and related valuation estimates that would have been used as of the first day of the second quarter of each prior reporting period without the use of hindsight.

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. We allocated goodwill to reporting units based on the reporting units that are expected to benefit from the business combination. We do not amortize goodwill but test it for impairment annually, or when indications of potential impairment exist. We monitor the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year and noted no significant indicators of impairment.

We test for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. Prior to the acquisition of Seaton, we considered our service lines (Labor Ready, Spartan Staffing, CLP Resources, PlaneTechs, and Centerline) to be our reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. There were no substantial changes to our previously reported reporting units. Effective June 30, 2014, we acquired Seaton which added a full service line of on-premise blue-collar staffing with Staff Management | SMX ("Staff Management"), complementary service offerings in RPO with the People Scout and hrX service lines, and the MSP solutions portion of Staff Management. We consider the acquired service lines to be reporting units for goodwill impairment testing.

The impairment test involves comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. Fair value reflects the price a market participant would be willing to pay in a potential sale of the reporting unit. If the fair value exceeds carrying value, then we conclude that no goodwill impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step is required to measure possible goodwill impairment loss. The second step includes hypothetically valuing the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Then, the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is compared to the carrying value of that goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions to evaluate the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes on each reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology. This analysis requires significant judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for our business, estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of our weighted average cost of capital, which is risk-adjusted to reflect the specific risk profile of the reporting unit being tested. We also identify similar publicly traded companies and develop a correlation, referred to as a multiple, to apply to the operating results of the reporting units. The primary market multiples we compare to are revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. These combined fair values are then reconciled to our aggregate market value of our shares of common stock on the date of valuation, while considering a reasonable control premium.

In our annual impairment test our reporting units' fair values were substantially in excess of their carrying values. Accordingly, no impairment loss was required to be recognized. We consider a reporting unit’s fair value to be substantially in excess of its carrying value at 20% or greater. We base fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates. Based on our test, all of our reporting units' fair values were substantially in excess of their carrying values. The estimated fair value of our PlaneTechs reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value, however, the operations of this reporting unit continue to be in the process of transitioning from a concentrated portfolio with one significant customer in the aviation industry to a more diversified customer portfolio for aviation and expanding their services for mechanics and technicians to other transportation industries. As such, we believe this reporting unit carries more risk of impairment in comparison to our other reporting units. We will continue to closely monitor the operational performance of the PlaneTechs reporting unit.

Our services are subject to volatility based on overall economic conditions. As a consequence, our revenues tend to increase quickly when the economy begins to grow. Conversely, our revenues also decrease quickly when the economy begins to weaken, as had occurred during the most recent recession. If actual results were to significantly deviate from management's estimates and assumptions of future performance, we could experience a material impairment to our goodwill.

We have indefinite-lived intangible assets related to our CLP Resources, Spartan Staffing, Staff Management | SMX and PeopleScout trade names. We test our indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment, or when indications of potential impairment exist. We utilize the relief from royalty method to determine the fair value of each of our trade names. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess. Considerable management judgment is necessary to determine key assumptions, including projected revenue, royalty rates, and appropriate discount rates.

Long-lived asset impairment

Long-lived assets include property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets. Long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We have determined that no triggering events have occurred during the period that would require us to perform an impairment test. Factors considered important that could result in an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or planned operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets, or significant changes in our business strategies. Long-lived assets are grouped at the lowest level at which identifiable cash flows are largely independent when assessing impairment. Our branch assets, including property and equipment, and customer relationship intangibles, are grouped and evaluated at the individual branch level. All other property and equipment and definite-lived intangibles are grouped at either the service line or corporate level, as appropriate, based on the identifiable cash flows. An impairment loss is recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset (if any) are less than the carrying value of the asset. When an impairment loss is recognized, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value based on quoted market prices or other valuation techniques (e.g., discounted cash flow analysis). Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future after-tax cash flows, including cash flows from continuing use and terminal value. Accordingly, actual future results could vary from our estimates.

Recently adopted accounting standards

Effective December 28, 2013, we adopted the accounting standard regarding the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The standard requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent when, for certain reasons, it is not available. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Effective December 28, 2013, we early adopted the accounting standard regarding reporting discontinued operations and disposals of components of an entity. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations or that have a major effect on a company's operations and results of operations should be presented as discontinued operations. The standard amends the requirement for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about disposals of individually material components that are not classified as discontinued operations. The standard is effective for fiscal year-ends beginning after December 15, 2014, however early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Business acquisitions

We account for our business acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. The fair value of the net assets acquired and the results of the acquired business are included in the financial statements from the acquisition date forward. We are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and results of operations during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, the fair value of acquired property and equipment, intangible assets, useful lives of property and equipment, and amortizable lives for acquired intangible assets, as well as liabilities for workers' compensation and legal contingencies. Any excess of the purchase consideration over the identified fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill acquired in business combinations is assigned to the reporting unit(s) expected to benefit from the combination as of the acquisition date. All acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in Selling, general, and administrative expenses. Additionally, we recognize liabilities for anticipated restructuring costs that will be necessary due to the elimination of excess capacity, redundant assets, or unnecessary functions and record them as Selling, general, and administrative expenses.

The valuation of these tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities is subject to further management review and may change between the preliminary allocation and the final allocation. Any changes to these estimates may have a material impact on our operating results or financial condition.

Workers' compensation reserves

Workers’ compensation claims reserves

We maintain reserves for workers’ compensation claims using actuarial estimates of the future cost of claims and related expenses. These estimates include claims that have been reported but not settled and claims that have been incurred but not reported. These reserves, which reflect potential liabilities to be paid in future periods based on estimated payment patterns, are discounted to estimated net present value using discount rates based on average returns of “risk-free” U.S. Treasury instruments, which are evaluated on a quarterly basis. We evaluate the reserves regularly throughout the year and make adjustments accordingly. If the actual cost of such claims and related expenses exceed the amounts estimated, additional reserves may be required. Changes in reserve estimates are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income in the period when the changes in estimates are made.

Our workers’ compensation reserves include estimated expenses related to claims above our self-insured limits (“excess claims”) and a corresponding receivable for the insurance coverage on excess claims based on the contractual policy agreements we have with insurance companies. We discount the liability and its corresponding receivable to its estimated net present value using the “risk-free” rates associated with the actuarially determined weighted average lives of our excess claims. When appropriate, based on our best estimate, we record a valuation allowance against the insurance receivable to reflect amounts that may not be realized.

Reserves for contingent legal and regulatory liabilities

From time to time we are subject to compliance audits by federal, state and local authorities relating to a variety of regulations including wage and hour laws, taxes, workers’ compensation, immigration, and safety. In addition, we are subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our operations. We establish reserves for contingent legal and regulatory liabilities when management determines that it is probable that a legal claim will result in an adverse outcome and the amount of liability can be reasonably estimated. To the extent that an insurance company is contractually obligated to reimburse us for a liability, we record a receivable for the amount of the probable reimbursement. We evaluate our reserve regularly throughout the year and make adjustments as needed. If the actual outcome of these matters is different than expected, an adjustment is charged or credited to expense in the period the outcome occurs or the period in which the estimate changes.

Income taxes and related valuation allowance

We account for income taxes by recording taxes payable or receivable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on provisions of tax law as currently enacted; the effects of future changes in tax laws are not anticipated. Future tax law changes, such as changes to the federal and state corporate tax rates and the mix of states and their taxable income, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part upon management’s judgments regarding future events and past operating results. Based on that analysis, we have determined that a valuation allowance is appropriate for certain net operating losses and tax credits that we expect will not be utilized within the permitted carry forward periods as of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013.

Stock-based compensation

Under various plans, officers, employees, and non-employee directors have received or may receive grants of stock, restricted stock awards, performance share units, or options to purchase common stock. We also have an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”).

Compensation expense for restricted stock awards and performance share units is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the stock’s fair market value on the grant date. For restricted stock and performance share unit grants issued with performance conditions, compensation expense is recognized over each vesting period based on assessment of the likelihood of meeting these conditions. We recognize compensation expense for only the portion of restricted stock and performance share units that is expected to vest, rather than record forfeitures when they occur. If the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in the future periods. We determine the fair value of options to purchase common stock using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. We recognize expense over the service period for options that are expected to vest and record adjustments to compensation expense at the end of the service period if actual forfeitures differ from original estimates.

Foreign currency

Our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries with non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses for each subsidiary are translated to U.S. dollars using a weighted average rate for the relevant reporting period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included, net of tax, in other comprehensive income ("OCI") where applicable. Currency gains and losses of intercompany balances deemed to be long-term in nature in international subsidiaries are included, net of tax, in OCI.

Purchases and retirement of our common stock

Purchases of our common stock are not displayed separately as treasury stock on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with the Washington Business Corporation Act, which requires the retirement of purchased shares. As a result, shares of our common stock that we purchase are retired immediately. It is our accounting policy to first record these purchases as a reduction to our common stock account. Once the common stock account has been reduced to a nominal balance, remaining purchases are recorded as a reduction to our Retained earnings. Furthermore, activity in our common stock account related to stock-based compensation is also recorded to Retained earnings until such time as the reduction to Retained earnings due to stock repurchases has been recovered.

Shares of common stock outstanding

Shares of common stock outstanding include shares of unvested restricted stock. Unvested restricted stock included in reportable shares outstanding was 0.7 million shares as of December 26, 2014 and December 27, 2013.

Use of estimates

Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Examples include, but are not limited to, purchase accounting, allowance for doubtful accounts, estimates for asset and goodwill impairments, stock-based performance awards, assumptions underlying self-insurance reserves, contingent legal and regulatory liabilities, and the potential outcome of future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements. Actual results and outcomes may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 related to revenue recognition. This guidance sets forth a five-step revenue recognition model, which supersedes the prior revenue recognition guidance, as well as most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance that previously existed in U.S. GAAP. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires more detailed disclosures and provides additional guidance for transactions that were not addressed completely in the prior accounting guidance. The ASU provides two methods of initial adoption: retrospective for all periods presented, or through a cumulative adjustment in the year of adoption. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is not permitted. We have not yet determined which method of adoption will be applied and are currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.