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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

[1] Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a) Nature of Business

 

Tutor Perini Corporation, formerly known as Perini Corporation, was incorporated in 1918 as a successor to businesses which had been engaged in providing construction services since 1894. Tutor Perini Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) provide diversified general contracting, construction management and design-build services to private customers and public agencies throughout the world. The Company’s construction business is conducted through four basic segments or operations: Civil, Building, Specialty Contractors and Management Services. The Civil segment specializes in public works construction and the repair, replacement and reconstruction of infrastructure, including highways, bridges, mass transit systems and water and wastewater treatment facilities. The Building segment has significant experience providing services to a number of specialized building markets, including the hospitality and gaming, transportation, healthcare, municipal offices, sports and entertainment, educational, correctional facilities, biotech, pharmaceutical and high-tech markets. The Specialty Contractors segment specializes in plumbing, HVAC, electrical, mechanical, and pneumatically placed concrete for a full range of civil, building and management services construction projects in the industrial, commercial, hospitality and gaming, and transportation end markets, among others. The Management Services segment provides diversified construction and design-build services to the U.S. military and federal government agencies, as well as surety companies and multi-national corporations in the United States and overseas.

 

The Company offers general contracting, pre-construction planning and comprehensive project management services, including planning and scheduling of the manpower, equipment, materials and subcontractors required for the timely completion of a project in accordance with the terms and specifications contained in a construction contract. The Company also offers self-performed construction services, including site work, concrete forming and placement, steel erection, electrical and mechanical, plumbing and HVAC. The Company provides these services by using traditional general contracting arrangements, such as fixed price, guaranteed maximum price and cost plus fee contracts.

 

In an effort to leverage the Company’s expertise and limit its financial and/or operational risk on certain large or complex projects, the Company participates in construction joint ventures, often as the sponsor or manager of the project, for the purpose of bidding and, if awarded, providing the agreed upon construction services. Each participant usually agrees in advance to provide a predetermined percentage of capital, as required, and to share in the same percentage of profit or loss of the project.

 

(b) Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with accounting principles accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) as codified in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification.

 

Prior to 2012, the Company had presented payments related to the deferred purchase price obligation of previous acquisitions within cash flows used by investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company corrected this presentation to appropriately reflect the cash paid to settle the liability recognized at fair value at the conclusion of the measurement period within cash flows used by financing activities, and the remaining cash paid (e.g. changes in fair value of the liability after the conclusion of the measurement period), was reclassified within cash flows used by operating activities. For the year ended December 31, 2011 this correction resulted in a decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities of $1.1 million, an increase in cash flows provided by investing activities of $3.0 million, and a decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities of $1.9 million in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. There was no impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations or Balance Sheets.

 

(c) Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Tutor Perini Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company’s interests in construction joint ventures are accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method whereby the Company’s proportionate share of each joint venture’s assets, liabilities, revenues and cost of operations are included in the appropriate classifications in the consolidated financial statements. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

(d) Use of and Changes in Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s construction business involves making significant estimates and assumptions in the normal course of business relating to its contracts and its joint venture contracts due to, among other things, the one-of-a-kind nature of most of its projects, the long-term duration of its contract cycle and the type of contract utilized. The most significant estimates with regard to these financial statements relate to the estimating of total forecasted construction contract revenues, costs and profits in accordance with accounting for long-term contracts and estimating potential liabilities in conjunction with certain contingencies, including the outcome of pending or future litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution proceedings relating to contract claims. Actual results could differ from these estimates and such differences could be material.

 

The Company’s estimates of contract revenue and cost are highly detailed. The Company believes that, based on its experience, its current systems of management and accounting controls allow it to produce materially reliable estimates of total contract revenue and cost during any accounting period. However, many factors can and do change during a contract performance period which can result in a change to contract profitability from one financial reporting period to another. Some of the factors that can change the estimate of total contract revenue and cost include differing site conditions (to the extent that contract remedies are unavailable), the availability of skilled contract labor, the performance of major material suppliers to deliver on time, the performance of major subcontractors, unusual weather conditions and the accuracy of the original bid estimate. Because the Company has many contracts in process at any given time, these changes in estimates can offset each other minimizing the impact on overall profitability. However, large changes in cost estimates on larger, more complex construction projects can have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements and are reflected in results of operations when they become known.

 

Management focuses on evaluating the performance of contracts individually. These estimates and assumptions can vary in the normal course of business as projects progress, when estimated productivity assumptions change based on experience to date and uncertainties are resolved. Change orders and claims, as well as changes in related estimates of costs to complete, are considered revisions in estimates. The Company uses the cumulative catch-up method applicable to construction contract accounting to account for revisions in estimates. In the ordinary course of business, and at a minimum on a quarterly basis, the Company updates projected total contract revenue, cost and profit or loss for each of its contracts based on changes in facts, such as an approved scope change, and changes in estimates. Normal, recurring changes in estimates include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in estimated scope as a result of unapproved or unpriced customer change orders; (ii) changes in estimated productivity assumptions based on experience to date; (iii) changes in estimated materials costs based on experience to date; (iv) changes in estimated subcontractor costs based on subcontractor buyout experience; (v) changes in the timing of scheduled work that may impact future costs; (vi) achievement of incentive income; and (vii) changes in estimated recoveries through the settlement of litigation.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company’s results of operations were impacted by a $13.8 million increase in the estimated recovery projected for a Building segment project due to changes in facts and circumstances that occurred during 2013. This change in estimate resulted in an increase of $13.8 million in income from construction operations, $8.6 million in net income and $0.18 in diluted earnings per common share during 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company’s results of operations were impacted by a $12.4 million increase in the estimated recovery projected for a large hospitality and gaming project which was primarily driven by changes in cost recovery assumptions. Excluding the discrete items that impacted the Company’s effective tax rate, this change in estimate resulted in a $12.4 million increase in income from construction operations, a $7.5 million increase in net income and a $0.16 increase in diluted earnings per common share during 2012.

 

Contracts vary in lengths and larger contracts can span over two to six years. At various stages of a contract’s lifecycle, different types of changes in estimates are more typical. Generally during the early ramp up stage, cost estimates relating to purchases of materials and subcontractors are frequently subject to revisions. As a contract moves into the most productive phase of execution, change orders, project cost estimate revisions and claims are frequently the sources for changes in estimates. During the contract’s final phase, remaining estimated costs to complete or provisions for claims will be closed out and adjusted based on actual costs incurred. The impact on operating margin in a reporting period and future periods from a change in estimate will depend on the stage of contract completion. Generally, if the contract is at an early stage of completion, the current period impact is smaller than if the same change in estimate is made to the contract at a later stage of completion. Likewise, if the company’s overall project portfolio was to be at a later stage of completion during the reporting period, the overall gross margin could be subject to greater variability from changes in estimates.

 

When recording revenue on contracts relating to unapproved change orders and claims, the Company includes in revenue an amount less than or equal to the amount of costs incurred by it to date for contract price adjustments that it seeks to collect from customers for delays, errors in specifications or designs, change orders in dispute or unapproved as to scope or price, or other unanticipated additional costs, in each case when recovery of the costs is considered probable. The amount of unapproved change orders and claim revenues is included in Consolidated Balance Sheets as part of costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings. When determining the likelihood of eventual recovery, the Company considers such factors as evaluation of entitlement, settlements reached to date and our experience with the customer. The settlement of these issues may take years depending upon whether the item can be resolved directly with the customer or involves litigation or arbitration. When new facts become known, an adjustment to the estimated recovery is made and reflected in the current period results.

 

(e) Method of Accounting for Contracts

 

Revenues and profits from the Company’s contracts and construction joint venture contracts are recognized by applying percentages of completion for the period to the total estimated revenues for the respective contracts. Percentage of completion is determined by relating the actual cost of the work performed to date to the current estimated total cost of the respective contracts. However, on contracts under which we provide construction management services, profit is generally recognized in accordance with the contract terms, usually on the as-billed method, which is generally consistent with the level of effort incurred over the contract period. When the estimate on a contract indicates a loss, the Company’s policy is to record the entire loss during the accounting period in which it is estimable. In the ordinary course of business, at a minimum on a quarterly basis, the Company updates estimates projected total contract revenue, cost and profit or loss for each contract based on changes in facts, such as an approved scope change, and changes in estimates. The cumulative effect of revisions in estimates of the total forecasted revenue and costs, including unapproved change orders and claims, during the course of the work is reflected in the accounting period in which the facts that caused the revision become known. The financial impact of these revisions to any one contract is a function of both the amount of the revision and the percentage of completion of the contract. Amounts up to the costs incurred which are attributable to unapproved change orders and claims are included in the total estimated revenue when realization is probable. Profit from unapproved change orders and claims is recorded in the period such amounts are resolved.

 

In accordance with normal practice in the construction industry, the Company includes in current assets and current liabilities amounts related to construction contracts realizable and payable over a period in excess of one year. Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings represents the excess of contract billings to date over the amount of contract costs and profits (or contract revenue) recognized to date on the percentage of completion accounting method on certain contracts. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings represents the excess of contract costs and profits (or contract revenue) recognized to date on the percentage of completion accounting method over the amount of contract billings to date on the remaining contracts. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings results when (1) the appropriate contract revenue amount has been recognized in accordance with the percentage of completion accounting method, but a portion of the revenue recorded cannot be billed currently due to the billing terms defined in the contract and/or (2) costs, recorded at estimated realizable value, related to unapproved change orders or claims are incurred.

 

For unapproved change orders or claims that cannot be resolved in accordance with the normal change order process as defined in the contract, the Company employs other dispute resolution methods, including mediation, binding and non-binding arbitration, or litigation.

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings related to the Company’s contracts and joint venture contracts consisted of the following:

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Unbilled costs and profits incurred to date*

 

$

204,276

 

$

157,119

 

Unapproved change orders

 

146,787

 

141,596

 

Claims

 

222,185

 

166,287

 

 

 

$

573,248

 

$

465,002

 

 

* Represents the excess of contract costs and profits recognized to date on the percentage of completion accounting method over the amount of contract billings to date on certain contracts.

 

Of the balance of “Unapproved change orders” and “Claims” included above in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $58.8 million and $62.0 million, respectively, are amounts subject to pending litigation or dispute resolution proceedings as described in Note 9 — Contingencies and Commitments. These amounts are management’s estimate of the probable cost recovery from the disputed claims considering such factors as evaluation of entitlement, settlements reached to date and experience with the customer. In the event that future facts and circumstances, including the resolution of disputed claims, cause a reduction in the aggregate amount of the estimated probable cost recovery from the disputed claims, the amount of such reduction will be recorded against earnings in the relevant future period.

 

The prerequisite for billing “Unbilled costs and profits incurred to date” is provided in the defined billing terms of each of the applicable contracts. The prerequisite for billing “Unapproved change orders” or “Claims” is the final resolution and agreement between the parties. The amount of costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings at December 31, 2013 estimated by management to be collected beyond one year is approximately $235.6 million.

 

(f) Property and Equipment

 

Land, buildings and improvements, construction and computer-related equipment and other equipment are recorded at cost. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized and maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Depreciation is primarily calculated using the straight-line method for all classifications of depreciable property. Construction equipment is depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from five to twenty years after an allowance for salvage. The remaining depreciable property is depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from three to forty years after an allowance for salvage.

 

(g) Long-Lived Assets

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is evaluated by comparing the carrying value of the assets to the undiscounted associated cash flows. When this comparison indicates that the carrying value of the asset is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, a loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value and estimated fair value. Fair value is determined based either on market quotes or appropriate valuation techniques.

 

(h) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Construction contract backlog is amortized on a weighted average basis over the corresponding contract period. Customer relationships and certain trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. The Company evaluates intangible assets that are not being amortized at the end of each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life.

 

The Company tests goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment by applying a fair value test in the fourth quarter of each year and between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change which suggest that the goodwill or intangible assets should be evaluated. Intangible assets with finite lives are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The first step in the two-step process of the impairment analysis is to determine the fair value of the Company and each of its reporting units and compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step must be followed to calculate the goodwill impairment. The second step involves determining the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit that failed the first step and calculating the implied fair value of goodwill. To determine the fair value of the Company and each of its reporting units, the Company utilizes both an income-based valuation approach as well as a market-based valuation approach. The income-based valuation approach is based on the cash flows that the reporting unit expects to generate in the future and it requires the Company to project revenues, operating expenses, working capital investment, capital spending and cash flows for the reporting unit in a discrete period, as well as determine the weighted-average cost of capital to be used as a discount rate and a terminal value growth rate for the non-discrete period. The market-based valuation approach to estimate the fair value of the Company’s reporting units utilizes industry multiples of revenues and operating earnings. The Company concludes on the fair value of the reporting units by assuming a 67% weighting on the income-based approach and a 33% weighing on the market-based valuation approach.

 

As part of the valuation process, the aggregate fair value of the Company is compared to its market capitalization at the valuation date in order to determine an implied control premium. In evaluating whether the Company’s implied control premium is reasonable, the Company considers a number of factors including the following factors of greatest significance.

 

·                  Market control premium: The Company compares its implied control premium to the average control premium paid in transactions of companies in the construction industry during the year of evaluation.

 

·                  Sensitivity analysis: The Company performs a sensitivity analysis to determine the minimum control premium required to recover the book value of the Company at the testing date. The minimum control premium required is then compared to the average control premium paid in transactions of companies in the construction industry during the year of evaluation.

 

·                  Impact of low public float and limited trading activity:  A significant portion of the Company’s common stock is owned by the Company’s Chairman and CEO. As a result, the public float of the Company’s common stock, calculated as the percentage of shares of common stock freely traded by public investors divided by the Company’s total shares outstanding, is significantly lower than that of its publicly traded peers. This circumstance does not impact the fair value of the Company, however based on its evaluation of third party market data, the Company believes it does lead to an inherent marketability discount impacting its stock price.

 

Impairment assessment inherently involves management judgments as to the assumptions used for projections and to evaluate the impact of market conditions on those assumptions. The key assumptions that the Company uses to estimate the fair value of its reporting units under the income-based approach are as follows:

 

·                  Weighted average cost of capital used to discount the projected cash flows;

 

·                  Cash flows generated from existing and new work awards; and

 

·                  Projected operating margins.

 

Weighted average cost of capital rates used to discount the projected cash flows are developed via the capital asset pricing model which is primarily based upon market inputs. The Company uses discount rates that management feels are an accurate reflection of the risks associated with the forecasted cash flows of its respective reporting units.

 

To develop the cash flows generated from new work awards and future operating margins, the Company primarily tracks prospective work for each of its reporting units on a project-by-project basis as well as the estimated timing of when the work would be bid or prequalified, started and completed. The Company also gives consideration to its relationships with the prospective owners, the pool of competitors that are capable of performing large, complex work, changes in business strategy and the Company’s history of success in winning new work in each reporting unit. With regard to operating margins, the Company gives consideration to its historical reporting unit operating margins in the end markets that the prospective work opportunities are most significant, current market trends in recent new work procurement, and changes in business strategy.

 

The Company also estimates the fair value of its reporting units under a market-based approach by applying industry-comparable multiples of revenues and operating earnings to its reporting units’ projected performance. The conditions and prospects of companies in the construction industry depend on common factors such as overall demand for services.

 

Changes in the Company’s assumptions or estimates could materially affect the determination of the fair value of a reporting unit. Such changes in assumptions could be caused by:

 

·                  Terminations, suspensions, reductions in scope or delays in the start-up of the revenues and cash flows from backlog as well as the prospective work the Company tracks;

 

·                  Reductions in available government, state and local agencies and non-residential private industry funding and spending;

 

·                  The Company’s ability to effectively compete for new work and maintain and grow market penetration in the regions that the Company operates in;

 

·                  The Company’s ability to successfully control costs, work schedule, and project delivery; or

 

·                  Broader market conditions, including stock market volatility in the construction industry and its impact on the weighted average cost of capital assumption.

 

On a quarterly basis the Company considers whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that assets, including goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization might be impaired. In conjunction with this analysis, the Company evaluates whether its current market capitalization is less than its stockholders’ equity and specifically considers (1) changes in macroeconomic conditions, (2) changes in general economic conditions in the construction industry including any declines in market-dependent multiples, (3) cost factors such as increases in raw materials, labor, or other costs that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows analyses, (4) a reconciliation of the implied control premium to a current market control premium, (5) target price assessments by third party analysts and (6) the impact of current market conditions on its forecast of future cash flows including consideration of specific projects in backlog, pending awards, or large prospect opportunities. The Company also evaluates its most recent assessment of the fair value for each of its reporting units, considering whether its current forecast of future cash flows is in line with those used in its annual impairment assessment and whether there are any significant changes in trends or any other material assumptions used.

 

As of December 31, 2013 the Company has concluded that it does not have an impairment of its goodwill or its indefinite-lived intangible assets and that the estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. See Note 4 — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for additional goodwill disclosure.

 

(i) Income Taxes

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect when such differences reverse. In addition, future tax benefits, such as non-deductible accrued expenses, are recognized to the extent such benefits are more likely than not to be realized as an economic benefit in the form of a reduction of income taxes in future years. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the income tax provision.

 

(j) Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share were computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share were similarly computed after giving consideration to the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock unit awards outstanding on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

 

The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share excludes 860,000 stock option shares during 2013, 1,315,465 stock option shares and 1,291,665 restricted stock units during 2012, and880,000 stock option shares during 2011 because these shares would have an antidilutive effect.

 

(k) Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

 

Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired.

 

Cash and cash equivalents, as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, consist of amounts held by the Company that are available for general corporate purposes and the Company’s proportionate share of amounts held by construction joint ventures that are available only for joint venture-related uses, including future distributions to joint venture partners. Restricted cash is primarily held to secure insurance-related contingent obligations, such as insurance claim deductibles, in lieu of letters of credit.

 

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash consisted of the following:

 

 

 

At December 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Corporate cash and cash equivalents (available for general corporate purposes)

 

$

36,579

 

$

70,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Company’s share of joint venture cash and cash equivalents (available only for joint venture purposes, including future distributions)

 

83,344

 

97,276

 

Total Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

119,923

 

$

168,056

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted Cash

 

$

42,594

 

$

38,717

 

 

(l) Long-term Investments

 

The Company’s investment in auction rate securities (“ARS”) is classified as available-for-sale securities based on the Company’s intentions. ARS are recorded at cost with unrealized gains and temporary unrealized losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes. Upon realization, those amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to other income, net. Unrealized losses that are other than temporary and due to a decline in expected cash flows are charged against income.

 

The Company performs a fair market value assessment of its ARS on a quarterly basis. To estimate fair value, the Company utilizes an income approach valuation model, with consideration given to market-based valuation inputs. The model considers, among other items, the following inputs: (i) the underlying structure of each security; (ii) the present value of future principal and interest payments discounted at rates considered to reflect current market conditions (discount rates range from 3% to 7% for investment grade securities); (iii) consideration of the probabilities of default or repurchase at par for each period (term periods range from 6 to 8 years); (iv) prices from recent comparable transactions; and (v) other third party pricing information.

 

The inputs and the Company’s analysis consider: (i) contractual terms of the ARS instruments; (ii) government- backed guarantees, if any; (iii) credit ratings on the ARS; (iv) current interest rates on the ARS and other market interest rate data; (v) trade data available, including trade data from secondary markets, for the Company’s ARS or similar ARS; (vi) recovery rates for any non-government guaranteed assets; (vii) historical transactions of the Company’s ARS being called at par; (viii) refunding initiatives of ARS; and (ix) risk of downgrade and default. Current market conditions, including repayment status of student loans, credit market risk, market liquidity and macro-economic influences are reflected in these inputs.

 

On a quarterly basis, the Company also assesses the recoverability of the ARS balance by reviewing: (i) the regularity and timely payment of interest on the securities; (ii) the probabilities of default or repurchase at par; (iii) the risk of loss of principal from government-backed versus non-government-backed securities; and (iv) the prioritization of the Company’s tranche of securities within the investment in case of default. The potential impact of any principal loss is included in the valuation model.

 

When the Company’s analysis indicates an impairment of a security, several factors are considered to determine the proper classification of the charge including: (i) any requirement or intent to sell the security; (ii) failure of the issuer to pay interest or principal; (iii) volatility of fair value; (iv) changes to the ratings of the security; (v) adverse conditions specific to the security or market; (vi) expected defaults; and (vii) length of time and extent that fair value has been less than the cost basis. The accumulation of this data is used to conclude if a credit loss exists for the specific security, and then to determine the classification of the impairment charge as temporary or other-than- temporary.

 

(m) Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company’s long-term incentive plan allows it to grant stock-based compensation awards in a variety of forms including restricted stock units and stock options. The terms and conditions of the awards granted are established by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Restricted stock unit awards and stock option awards generally vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements or the satisfaction of both service requirements and achievement of certain performance targets. For restricted stock unit awards that vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements, compensation expense is measured based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the requisite service period. For restricted stock unit awards which have a performance component, compensation cost is measured based on the fair value on the grant date (the date performance targets are established) and is recognized on a straight-line basis (net of estimated forfeitures) over the applicable requisite service period as achievement of the performance objective becomes probable.

 

(n) Insurance Liabilities

 

The Company typically utilizes third party insurance coverage subject to varying deductible levels with aggregate caps on losses retained. The Company assumes the risk for the amount of the deductible portion of the losses and liabilities primarily associated with workers’ compensation and general liability coverage. In addition, on certain projects, the Company assumes the risk for the amount of the deductible portion of losses that arise from any subcontractor defaults. Losses are accrued based upon the Company’s estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred using historical experience and certain actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry. The estimate of insurance liability within the deductible limits includes an estimate of incurred but not reported claims based on data compiled from historical experience.

 

(o) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. The carrying values of receivables, payables and other amounts arising out of normal contract activities, including retentions, which may be settled beyond one year, are estimated to approximate fair values. The fair value of receivables subject to pending litigation or dispute resolution proceedings is determined based upon the length of time that these matters take to be resolved and, as a result, the fair value can be greater than or less than the recorded book value depending on the facts and circumstances of each matter. See Note 3 — Fair Value Measurements for disclosure of the fair value of investments, long-term debt and contingent consideration associated with our acquisitions in 2011.

 

(p) Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional currency for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currency. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of those operations are translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates at the balance sheet date and operating statement items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The resulting cumulative translation adjustment is recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, if any, are included in operations as they occur.

 

(q) New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, which clarifies which instruments and transactions are subject to the offsetting disclosure requirements established by ASU 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” ASU 2013-01 is effective for the fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within. Retrospective application is required for any period presented that begins before the entity’s initial application of the new requirements. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” an amendment to FASB ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income”. The update requires disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts not reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. This ASU is effective prospectively for the Company fiscal years, and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, which provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date. This ASU is an update to FASB ASC Topic 405, “Liabilities”. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU addresses when unrecognized tax benefits should be presented as reductions to deferred tax assets for net operating loss carryforwards in the financial statements. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.