Basis of Presentation, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include all the accounts of Cerner Corporation ("Cerner," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our") and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The consolidated financial statements were prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These principles require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 each consisted of 52 weeks and ended on December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively. All references to years in these notes to consolidated financial statements represent fiscal years unless otherwise noted.

Nature of Operations

We design, develop, market, install, host and support health care information technology, health care devices, hardware and content solutions for health care organizations and consumers. We also provide a wide range of value-added services, including implementation and training, remote hosting, operational management services, revenue cycle services, support and maintenance, health care data analysis, clinical process optimization, transaction processing, employer health centers, employee wellness programs and third party administrator services for employer-based health plans.

Siemens Health Services

On February 2, 2015, we acquired Siemens Health Services, as further described in Note (2). The addition of the Siemens Health Services business impacts the comparability of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended January 2, 2016, in relation to the comparative periods presented herein.

Voluntary Separation Plans

In the first quarter of 2015, the Company adopted a voluntary separation plan ("2015 VSP") for eligible associates. Generally, the 2015 VSP was available to U.S. associates who met a minimum level of combined age and tenure, excluding, among others, our executive officers. Associates who elected to participate in the 2015 VSP received financial benefits commensurate with their tenure and position, along with vacation payout and medical benefits. The irrevocable acceptance period for most associates electing to participate in the 2015 VSP ended in May 2015. During 2015, we recorded pre-tax charges for the 2015 VSP of $46 million, which are included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations. At the end of 2015, this program was complete.

In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company adopted a new voluntary separation plan ("2016 VSP") for eligible associates. This 2016 VSP was available to U.S. associates who met a minimum level of combined age and tenure. Associates who elected to participate in the 2016 VSP received financial benefits commensurate with their tenure and position, along with vacation payout and medical benefits. The irrevocable acceptance period for associates electing to participate in the 2016 VSP ended in December 2016. During 2016, we recorded pre-tax charges for the 2016 VSP of $36 million, which are included in general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations. At the end of 2016, this program was complete.

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information



	For the Years Ended
(In thousands)	2017		2016		2015
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest (including amounts capitalized of $10,387, $14,852, and $7,106, respectively)	$	17,914	$	18,484	$	13,164
Income taxes, net of refunds	186,544		254,539		118,409

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Revenue Recognition - The following is a discussion of revenue recognition policies followed by the Company through 2017. Refer to (q) below for discussion regarding new revenue guidance effective for 2018.

We recognize software related revenue in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic ("ASC") 985-605, Software – Revenue Recognition and non-software related revenue in accordance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. In general, revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria have been met:


•	Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;


•	Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;


•	Our fee is fixed or determinable; and


•	Collection of the revenue is reasonably assured.

The following are our major components of revenue:


•	System sales – includes the licensing of computer software, software as a service, deployment period upgrades, installation, content subscriptions, transaction processing and the sale of computer hardware and sublicensed software;


•	Support, maintenance and services – includes software support and hardware maintenance, remote hosting and managed services, training, consulting and implementation services; and


•	Reimbursed travel – includes reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses (primarily travel) incurred in connection with our client service activities.

We provide for several models of procurement of our information systems and related services. The predominant model involves multiple deliverables and includes a perpetual software license agreement, project-related implementation and consulting services, software support and either hosting services or computer hardware and sublicensed software, which requires that we allocate revenue to each of these elements.

Allocation of Revenue to Multiple Element Arrangements

For multiple element arrangements that contain software and non-software elements, we allocate revenue to software and software-related elements as a group and any non-software element separately. After the arrangement consideration has been allocated to the non-software elements, revenue is recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria are met for each element. For the group of software and software-related elements, revenue is recognized under the guidance applicable to software transactions.

Since we do not have vendor specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of fair value on software licenses within our multiple element arrangements, we recognize revenue on our software and software-related elements using the residual method. Under the residual method, license revenue is recognized in a multiple-element arrangement when vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value exists for all of the undelivered elements in the arrangement, when software is delivered, installed and all other conditions to revenue recognition are met. We allocate revenue to each undelivered element in a multiple-element arrangement based on the element’s respective fair value, with the fair value determined by the price charged when that element is sold separately. Specifically, we determine the fair value of the software support, hardware maintenance, sublicensed software support, remote hosting, subscriptions and software as a service portions of the arrangement based on the substantive renewal price for these services charged to clients; professional services (including training and consulting) portion of the arrangement, based on hourly rates which we charge for these services when sold apart from a software license; and sublicensed software based on its price when sold separately from the software. The residual amount of the fee after allocating revenue to the fair value of the undelivered elements is attributed to the licenses for software solutions. If evidence of the fair value cannot be established for the undelivered elements of a license agreement using VSOE, the entire amount of revenue under the arrangement is deferred until these elements have been delivered or VSOE of fair value can be established.

We also enter into arrangements that include multiple non-software deliverables. For each element in a multiple element arrangement that does not contain software-related elements to be accounted for as a separate unit of accounting, the following must be met: the delivered products or services have value to the client on a stand-alone 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 the Company. We allocate the arrangement consideration to each element based on the selling price hierarchy of VSOE of fair value, if it exists, or third-party evidence ("TPE") of selling price. If neither VSOE nor TPE are available, we use estimated selling price. After the arrangement consideration has been allocated to the elements, we account for each respective element in the arrangement as described below.

For certain arrangements, revenue for software, implementation services and, in certain cases, support services for which VSOE of fair value cannot be established are accounted for as a single unit of accounting. If VSOE of fair value cannot be established for both the implementation services and the support services, the entire arrangement fee is recognized ratably over the period during which the implementation services are expected to be performed or the support period, whichever is longer, beginning with delivery of the software, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met. The revenue recognized from single units of accounting are typically allocated and classified as system sales and support, maintenance and services. In cases where VSOE cannot be established, revenue is classified based on contract value. In instances where VSOE for undelivered elements is established subsequent to the outset of an arrangement, a cumulative adjustment to revenue is recognized in the period VSOE for the undelivered elements is established.

Revenue Recognition Policies for Each Element

We provide implementation and consulting services. These services vary depending on the scope and complexity of the engagement. Examples of such services may include database consulting, system configuration, project management, testing assistance, network consulting, post conversion review and application management services. Except for limited arrangements where our software requires significant modifications or customization, implementation and consulting services generally are not deemed to be essential to the functionality of the software and, thus, do not impact the timing of the software license recognition. However, if software license fees are tied to implementation milestones, then the portion of the software license fee tied to implementation milestones is deferred until the related milestone is accomplished and related fees become due and payable and non-forfeitable. Implementation fees, for which VSOE of fair value can be determined, are recognized over the service period, which may extend from nine months to several years for multi-phased projects.

Remote hosting and managed services are marketed under long-term arrangements generally over periods of five to 10 years. These services are typically provided to clients that have acquired a perpetual license for licensed software and have contracted with us to host the software in one of our data centers. Under these arrangements, the client generally has the contractual right to take possession of the licensed software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty and it is feasible for the client to either run the software on its own equipment or contract with another party unrelated to us to host the software. Additionally, these services are not deemed to be essential to the functionality of the licensed software or other elements of the arrangement. As such, in situations for which we have VSOE of fair value for the undelivered items, we allocate the residual portion of the arrangement fee to the software and recognize it once the client has the ability to take possession of the software. The remaining fees in these arrangements, as well as the fees for arrangements where the client does not have the contractual right or the ability to take possession of the software at any time or for situations in which VSOE of fair value does not exist for undelivered elements, are generally recognized ratably over the hosting service period.

We also offer our solutions on a software as a service model, providing time-based licenses for our software solutions available within an environment that we manage from our data centers. The data centers provide system and administrative support as well as processing services. Revenue on these services is generally combined and recognized on a monthly basis over the term of the contract. We capitalize related pre-contract direct set-up costs consisting of third party costs and direct software installation and implementation costs associated with the initial set up of a software as a service client. These costs are amortized over the term of the arrangement.

Software support fees are marketed under annual and multi-year arrangements and are recognized as revenue ratably over the contractual support term. Hardware and sublicensed software maintenance revenues are recognized ratably over the contractual maintenance term.

Subscription and content fees are generally marketed under annual and multi-year agreements and are recognized ratably over the contractual terms.

Hardware and sublicensed software sales are generally recognized when title and risk of loss have transferred to the client.

The sale of equipment under sales-type leases is recorded as system sales revenue at the inception of the lease. Sales-type leases also produce financing income, which is included in system sales revenue and is recognized at consistent rates of return over the lease term.

Where we have contractually agreed to develop new or customized software code for a client, we utilize percentage-of-completion accounting, labor-hours method.

Revenue generally is recognized net of any taxes collected from clients and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

Payment Arrangements

Our payment arrangements with clients typically include an initial payment due upon contract signing and date-based licensed software payment terms and payments based upon delivery for services, hardware and sublicensed software. Revenue recognition on support payments received in advance of the services being performed are deferred and classified as either current or long term deferred revenue depending on whether the revenue will be earned within one year.

We have periodically provided long-term financing options to creditworthy clients through third party financing institutions and have directly provided extended payment terms to clients from contract date. These extended payment term arrangements typically provide for date-based payments over periods ranging from 12 months up to seven years. As a significant portion of the fee is due beyond one year, we have analyzed our history with these types of arrangements and have concluded that we have a standard business practice of using extended payment term arrangements and a long history of successfully collecting under the original payment terms for arrangements with similar clients, product offerings, and economics without granting concessions. Accordingly, in these situations, we consider the fee to be fixed and determinable in these extended payment term arrangements and, thus, the timing of revenue is not impacted by the existence of extended payments.

Some of these payment streams have been assigned on a non-recourse basis to third party financing institutions. We account for the assignment of these receivables as sales of financial assets. Provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met, we recognize revenue for these arrangements under our normal revenue recognition criteria, and if appropriate, net of any payment discounts from financing transactions.

(b) Cash Equivalents - Cash equivalents consist of short-term marketable securities with original maturities less than 90 days.

(c) Investments – Our short-term investments are primarily invested in time deposits, commercial paper, government and corporate bonds, with maturities of less than one year. Our long-term investments are primarily invested in government and corporate bonds with maturities of less than two years. All of our investments, other than a small portion accounted for under the cost and equity methods, are classified as available-for-sale.

Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities, if any, are determined on a specific identification basis.

We regularly review investment securities for impairment based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds fair value, the duration of any market decline, and the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer. Unrealized losses that are other than temporary are recognized in earnings.

Premiums are amortized and discounts are accreted over the life of the security as adjustments to interest income for our investments. Interest income is recognized when earned.

Refer to Note (3) and Note (4) for further description of these assets and their fair value.

(d) Concentrations - The majority of our cash and cash equivalents are held at three major financial institutions. The majority of our cash equivalents consist of money market funds. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally these deposits may be redeemed upon demand.

As of the end of 2017, we had a significant concentration of receivables owed to us by Fujitsu Services Limited, which are currently in dispute. These receivables have been classified as long-term and are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note (5) for additional information.

(e) Inventory - Inventory consists primarily of computer hardware and sublicensed software, held for resale. Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value.

(f) Property and Equipment - We account for property and equipment in accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over periods of one to 50 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using a straight-line method over the shorter of the lease terms or the useful lives, which range from periods of one to 15 years.

(g) Software Development Costs - Software development costs are accounted for in accordance with ASC 985-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed. Software development costs incurred internally in creating computer software products are expensed until technological feasibility has been established upon completion of a detailed program design. Thereafter, all software development costs incurred through the software’s general release date are capitalized and subsequently reported at the lower of amortized cost or net realizable value. Capitalized costs are amortized based on current and expected future revenue for each software solution with minimum annual amortization equal to the straight-line amortization over the estimated economic life of the solution. We amortize capitalized software development costs over five years.

(h) Goodwill - We account for goodwill under the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment annually or whenever there is an impairment indicator. All goodwill is assigned to a reporting unit, where it is subject to an annual impairment assessment. Based on these evaluations, there was no impairment of goodwill in 2017, 2016 or 2015. Refer to Note (7) for more information on goodwill and other intangible assets.

(i) Intangible Assets - We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over periods of three to 30 years.

(j) Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Refer to Note (12) for additional information regarding income taxes.

(k) Earnings per Common Share - Basic earnings per share ("EPS") excludes dilution and is computed, in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in our earnings. Refer to Note (13) for additional details of our earnings per share computations.

(l) Accounting for Share-based Payments - We recognize all share-based payments to associates, directors and consultants, including grants of stock options, restricted stock and performance shares, in the financial statements as compensation cost based on their fair value on the date of grant, in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation. This compensation cost is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis for the fair value of awards that actually vest. Refer to Note (14) for a detailed discussion of share-based payments.

(m) Voluntary Separation Benefits - We account for voluntary separation benefits in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712, Compensation-Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits. Voluntary separation benefits are recorded to expense when the associates irrevocably accept the offer and the amount of the termination liability is reasonably estimable.

(n) Foreign Currency - In accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The net exchange differences resulting from these translations are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

(o) Collaborative Arrangements - In accordance with ASC 808, Collaborative Arrangements, third party costs incurred and revenues generated by arrangements involving joint operating activities of two or more parties that are each actively involved and exposed to risks and rewards of the activities are classified in the consolidated statements of operations on a gross basis only if we are determined to be the principal participant in the arrangement. Otherwise, third party revenues and costs generated by collaborative arrangements are presented on a net basis. Payments between participants are recorded and classified based on the nature of the payments.

(p) Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2017

Share-Based Compensation. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 impacts several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (1) accounting and cash flow classification for excess tax benefits and deficiencies, (2) forfeitures, and (3) tax withholding requirements and cash flow classification. ASU 2016-09 was effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017. This new guidance impacts our consolidated financial statements as follows:

•

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, when associates exercised stock options, or upon the vesting of restricted stock awards, we recognized any related excess tax benefits or deficiencies (the difference between the deduction for tax purposes and the cumulative compensation cost recognized in the consolidated financial statements) in additional paid-in capital ("APIC"). During 2016 and 2015, we recognized net excess tax benefits in APIC of $53 million and $57 million, respectively.

Under the new guidance, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recognized as a component of income tax expense. They are not estimated when determining the annual estimated effective tax rate; instead, they are recorded as discrete items in the reporting period they occur. During 2017, we recognized $66 million of net excess tax benefits as discrete items, which are included in income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations. These net excess tax benefits recognized during 2017 resulted in a favorable impact to diluted earnings per share of $0.19.

This provision of the new guidance may have a significant impact on our future income tax expense, including increased variability in our quarterly effective tax rates. The impact will be dependent on a number of factors, including the price of our common stock, grant activity under our stock and equity plans, and the timing of option exercises by our associates. This provision of the new guidance was required to be applied prospectively. Prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted.

•

We utilize the treasury stock method for calculating diluted earnings per share. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, this method assumed that any net excess tax benefits generated from the hypothetical exercise of dilutive options were used to repurchase outstanding shares. Assumed share repurchases for net excess tax benefits included in our calculation of diluted earnings per share for 2016 and 2015 were 2.0 million shares and 3.2 million shares, respectively.

Under the new guidance, net excess tax benefits generated from the hypothetical exercise of dilutive options are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Therefore, the denominator in our diluted earnings per share calculation has increased (comparatively). We estimate that this provision of the new guidance reduced our calculation of diluted earnings per share by $0.01 to $0.02 for 2017. This provision of the new guidance was required to be applied prospectively. Prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted.


•	Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, we presented net excess tax benefits in our consolidated statements of cash flows as a cash inflow from financing activities. Under the new guidance, net excess tax benefits are to be presented within operating activities. We have elected to apply this provision of the new guidance retrospectively. Prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted.

•

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, we presented cash payments to taxing authorities in connection with shares directly withheld from associates upon the exercise of stock options, or upon the vesting of restricted stock awards, to meet statutory tax withholding requirements (employee withholdings) as a cash outflow from operating activities. Under the new guidance, such payments are presented within financing activities. This provision of the new guidance was required to be applied retrospectively. Prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted.

•

Under the new guidance, an entity is permitted to make an entity-wide accounting policy election (at adoption) either to estimate the number of forfeitures expected to occur or to account for forfeitures as a reduction to compensation cost when they occur. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, we did not change our policy of estimating participant forfeitures as a part of our calculations of share-based compensation cost.

Income Taxes. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory, which provides new guidance regarding when an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of certain intra-entity asset transfers. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-16, U.S. GAAP prohibited entities from recognizing the income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers, including transfers of intellectual property. The seller deferred any net tax effect, and the buyer was prohibited from recognizing a deferred tax asset on the difference between the newly created tax basis of the asset in its tax jurisdiction and its financial statement carrying amount as reported in the consolidated financial statements. ASU 2016-16 requires entities to recognize these tax consequences in the period in which the transfer takes place, with the exception of inventory transfers.

ASU 2016-16 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018, with early adoption permitted in the first quarter of 2017. The standard requires the use of the modified retrospective (cumulative effect) transition approach. The Company adopted the standard early, in the first quarter of 2017. In connection with such adoption, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment reducing prepaid expenses and other, other assets, and retained earnings within our consolidated balance sheets by $8 million, $14 million, and $22 million, respectively. This cumulative effect adjustment includes recognition of the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory that occurred prior to the adoption date. Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

(q) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The new standard introduces a five-step process to be followed in determining the amount and timing of revenue recognition. It also provides guidance on accounting for costs incurred to obtain or fulfill contracts with customers, and establishes disclosure requirements which are more extensive than those required under existing U.S. GAAP.

The FASB has issued numerous amendments to ASU 2014-09 from August 2015 through January 2018, which provide supplemental and clarifying guidance, as well as amend the effective date of the new standard.

ASU 2014-09, as amended, is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption was permitted in the first quarter of 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or modified retrospective (cumulative effect) transition method.

We will adopt this new guidance effective with our first quarter of 2018, utilizing the modified retrospective (cumulative effect) transition method. Such method provides that the cumulative effect from prior periods upon applying the new guidance is recognized in our consolidated balance sheets as of the date of adoption, including an adjustment to retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted.

We expect this new guidance to impact the amount and timing of our revenue recognition as follows:

•

Generally, our subscription and content fees revenue is recognized ratably over the respective contract terms ("over time"). Upon adoption of the new guidance, we expect to recognize a license component of certain subscription and content fees revenue upon delivery to the customer ("point in time") and a non-license component (i.e. support) of such revenues over the respective contract terms ("over time").

•

For certain of our arrangements, revenue for software, implementation services and, in certain cases, support services for which vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value cannot be established are accounted for as a single unit of accounting. If VSOE of fair value cannot be established for both the implementation services and the support services, the entire arrangement fee is recognized ratably ("over time") over the period during which the implementation services are expected to be performed or the support period, whichever is longer, beginning with delivery of the software, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Upon adoption of the new guidance, the concept of VSOE of fair value is eliminated. Consideration for an arrangement is allocated to performance obligations based on stand-alone selling price or an estimate of stand-alone selling price. With this change, we expect to be able to allocate consideration to the various elements within arrangements currently accounted for as a single unit of accounting. Such revenue will then be recognized as each performance obligation is delivered (i.e. "point in time" for software) or as provided to the customer (i.e. "over time" for implementation services and support services).


•	Certain of our arrangements contain fees, that upon adoption of the new guidance, will be considered a "material right". This "material right" will be a separate performance obligation under the new guidance, and we expect to recognize such amount over the term that will likely affect the client’s decision about whether to renew the related service ("over time").

At the date of adoption of this new guidance, we expect to record a cumulative adjustment to our consolidated balance sheet, including an adjustment to retained earnings, to adjust for the aggregate impact of these revenue items, as calculated under the new guidance. We currently estimate the amount of such adjustment to retained earnings to be approximately one percent of our annual 2017 revenues. Such estimate is preliminary and subject to change as we finalize our implementation process.

Although we have not fully completed our analysis of this new revenue recognition guidance, we do not believe that such guidance will materially impact the aggregate amount and timing of our revenue recognition subsequent to adoption.

We have determined the only significant incremental costs incurred to obtain contracts with customers within the scope of ASU 2014-09, as amended, are sales commissions paid to associates. Under current U.S. GAAP, we recognize sales commissions as earned, and record such amounts as a component of total costs and expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. We recognized sales commission expense of $47 million, $44 million and $45 million in the 2017, 2016, and 2015 annual periods, respectively. Under the new guidance, we expect to record sales commissions as an asset, and amortize to expense over the related contract performance period. At the date of adoption of this new guidance, we expect to record an asset in our consolidated balance sheets for the amount of unamortized sales commissions for prior periods, as calculated under the new guidance. Such amount will subsequently be amortized to expense over the remaining performance periods of the related contracts with remaining performance obligations. We currently estimate that upon adoption we will record a cumulative effect adjustment related to the commissions expense increasing other assets, deferred income taxes and other liabilities, and retained earnings within our consolidated balance sheets by approximately $82 million, $20 million, and $62 million, respectively. Such estimate is preliminary and subject to change as we finalize our implementation process.

Our analysis and evaluation of the new standard will continue through the filing of our first quarter 2018 consolidated financial statements. A significant amount of work remains as we finalize calculations and evaluate the new disclosure requirements. We must also implement any necessary changes/modifications to processes, accounting systems, and internal controls.

Financial Instruments. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Such guidance will impact how we account for our investments reported under the cost method of accounting as follows:

•

Equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) will be required to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer.


•	The impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values will require a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value.

We will adopt this new guidance effective with our first quarter of 2018, and we do not expect such guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which introduces a new model that requires most leases to be reported on the balance sheet and aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in the new revenue recognition standard. The standard requires the use of the modified retrospective (cumulative effect) transition approach. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and we do not expect to early adopt.

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which provides new guidance regarding the measurement and recognition of credit impairment for certain financial assets. Such guidance will impact how we determine our allowance for estimated uncollectible receivables and evaluate our available-for-sale investments for impairment. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted in the first quarter of 2019. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and we have not determined if we will early adopt.

Callable Debt Securities. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, which shortens the amortization period for certain investments in callable debt securities purchased at a premium by requiring the premium be amortized to the earliest call date. Such guidance will impact how premiums are amortized on our available-for-sale investments. ASU 2017-08 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. The standard requires the use of the modified retrospective (cumulative effect) transition approach. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2017-08 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, and we have not determined if we will early adopt.