Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consideration

Principles of Consolidation: Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and include the assets, liabilities, shareholders' equity, and operating results of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We are not the primary beneficiary of, nor do we hold a significant variable interest in, any variable interest entity.

Prior Period Reclassifications

Reclassification of prior period amounts related to discontinued operations as a result of the sale of the Photovoltaics and Digital Products Businesses have been made to conform to the current period financial statement presentation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. The accounting estimates that require our most significant, difficult, and/or subjective judgments include:

• the valuation of inventory, intangible assets, warrants and stock-based compensation;

• the useful lives of assets and assessment of recovery of long-lived assets;

• asset retirement obligations and contingencies, including litigation and indemnification-related;

• the allowance for doubtful accounts and warranty accruals; and,

• the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.

We develop estimates based on historical experience and on various assumptions about the future that are believed to be reasonable based on the best information available to us. Our reported financial position or results of operations may be materially different under changed conditions or when using different estimates and assumptions, particularly with respect to significant accounting policies. In the event that estimates or assumptions prove to differ from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk: Financial instruments that may subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Our cash and cash equivalents are held in safekeeping primarily with Wells Fargo. When necessary, we perform credit evaluations on our customers' financial condition and occasionally we request deposits in advance of shipping product to our customers. These financial evaluations require significant judgment and are based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, current economic trends, historical payment patterns, bad debt write-off experience, and financial review of the particular customer.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consists primarily of bank deposits and highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Cash consists primarily of bank deposits or, highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash: Restricted cash represents recently deposited cash that is temporarily restricted by our bank in accordance with the terms of the outstanding credit facility.

Restricted cash represents temporarily restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable: We regularly evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to meet their financial obligations to us. The allowance is based on the age of receivables and a specific identification of receivables considered at risk of collection. We classify charges associated with the allowance for doubtful accounts as selling, general, and administrative expense.

Inventory

Inventory: Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using the standard cost method that includes material, labor, and manufacturing overhead costs, which approximates weighted average cost. We write-down inventory once it has been determined that conditions exist that may not allow the inventory to be sold for its intended purpose or the inventory is determined to be excess or obsolete based on our forecasted future sales. The charge related to inventory write-downs is recorded as a cost of revenue. The majority of the inventory write-downs are related to inventory whose carrying value is in excess of net realizable value and on excess raw material components resulting from finished product obsolescence. We do not track the selling price of individual raw material components that have been previously written down or written off, since such raw material components usually are only a portion of the finished products and related sales price. We evaluate inventory levels at least quarterly against sales forecasts on a significant part-by-part basis, in addition to determining its overall inventory risk. We have incurred, and may in the future incur charges to write-down our inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment: Our property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives of the assets: 

Estimated Useful Life
Equipment	—	three to ten years
Furniture and fixtures	—	five years
Computer hardware and software	—	five to seven years
Leasehold improvements	—	three to six years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the asset life or the lease term. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The costs for major renewals and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives of the related asset. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts upon disposition and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets: Our intangible assets consists primarily of intellectual property that has been internally-developed or acquired. Acquired intangible assets include core technology, trademarks and trade names, and customer contracts. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives that could range up to fifteen years.

Valuation of Long-lived Assets

Valuation of Long-lived Assets: Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant, and equipment, net and intangible assets. Since our long-lived assets are subject to amortization, we review these assets for impairment in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Our impairment testing of long-lived assets consists of determining whether the carrying amount of the long-lived asset (asset group) is recoverable, in other words, whether the sum of the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset (asset group) exceeds its carrying amount. The determination of the existence of impairment involves judgments that are subjective in nature and may require the use of estimates in forecasting future results and cash flows related to an asset or group of assets. In making this determination, we use certain assumptions, including estimates of future cash flows expected to be generated by these assets, which are based on additional assumptions such as asset utilization, the length of service that assets will be used in our operations, and estimated salvage values.

Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations

Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations: Pursuant to ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations, an asset retirement obligation is recorded when there is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset and the fair value of the liability can reasonably be estimated. Upon initial recognition of an asset retirement obligation, a company increases the carrying amount of the long-lived asset by the same amount as the liability. Over time, the liabilities are accreted for the change in their present value through charges to operations costs. The initial capitalized costs are depleted over the useful lives of the related assets through charges to depreciation, and/or amortization. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, escalating retirement costs, and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: We determine the fair value of our financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:

• Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly, through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

• Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets or liabilities at fair value.

Classification of an asset or liability within this hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Equity Investments

Equity investments: We accounted for our equity investment in our Suncore Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd. ("Suncore") joint venture in accordance with ASC 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures. An equity investment, in which we exercised significant influence but did not control and were not the primary beneficiary, was accounted for using the equity method. We regularly reviewed our investment to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis was other than temporary. In our opinion, neither San'an Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. ("San'an") nor EMCORE held a controlling financial interest in Suncore because neither party had exclusive authority over decision-making related to significant ordinary course of business actions such as establishing a budget, compensation, and the hiring and firing of certain executive personnel.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized upon shipment, provided persuasive evidence of a contract exists, the price is fixed, the product meets our customer's specifications, title and ownership have transferred to the customer, and there is reasonable assurance of collection of the sales proceeds. The majority of our products have shipping terms that are free on board or free carrier alongside (FCA) shipping point, which means that we fulfill our delivery obligation when the goods are handed over to the freight carrier at our shipping dock. This means the customer bears all costs and risks of loss or damage to the goods from that point. In certain cases, we pay for the cost of shipping and insurance to the customer's designated location but we invoice those costs to the customer. Under this arrangement, revenue is recognized under FCA shipping point terms. We account for shipping and related transportation costs by recording the charges that are invoiced to customers as revenue, with the corresponding cost recorded as cost of revenue. In those instances where inventory is maintained at a consigned location, revenue is recognized only when our customer pulls product for use and after title and ownership has transferred to the customer. Any warranty cost and remaining obligations that are inconsequential or perfunctory are accrued when the corresponding revenue is recognized.

Distributors: We use a number of distributors around the world and recognize revenue upon shipment of product to these distributors. Title and risk of loss pass to the distributors upon shipment, and our distributors are contractually obligated to pay us on standard commercial terms, just like direct customers. We do not sell to our distributors on consignment and, except in the event of product discontinuance, do not give distributors a right of return.

Contract Manufacturers: Prior to certain customers accepting product that is manufactured at one of our contract manufacturers, these customers require that they first qualify the product and manufacturing processes at our contract manufacturer. The customers' qualification process determines whether the product manufactured at our contract manufacturer achieves their quality, performance, and reliability standards. After a customer completes the initial qualification process, we receive approval to ship qualified product to that customer. As part of the manufacturing process at our contract manufacturers, the finished product is tested prior to shipment to the customer using the same criteria that our customer uses to test product it receives. Revenue is recognized upon shipment of customer-qualified product, provided persuasive evidence of a contract exists, the price is fixed, the product meets our customer's specifications, title and ownership have transferred to the customer, and there is reasonable assurance of collection of the sales proceeds.

Product Warranty Reserves

Product Warranty Reserves: We provide our customers with limited rights of return for non-conforming shipments and warranty claims for certain products. Pursuant to ASC 450, Contingencies, we make estimates of product warranty expense using historical experience rates as a percentage of revenue and accrue estimated warranty expense as a cost of revenue. We estimate the costs of our warranty obligations based on historical experience of known product failure rates and anticipated rates of warranty claims, use of materials to repair or replace defective products, and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product issues. In addition, from time to time, specific warranty accruals may be made if unforeseen technical problems arise. Should our actual experience relative to these factors differ from our estimates, we may be required to record additional warranty reserves. Alternatively, if we provide more reserves than needed, we may reverse a portion of such provisions in future periods.

Litigation Contingencies

Litigation Contingencies: We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims, and litigation, either asserted or unasserted that arise in the ordinary course of business. Professional legal fees are expensed when incurred. We accrue for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. In the event that estimates or assumptions prove to differ from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. Should we fail to prevail in any legal matter or should several legal matters be resolved against the Company in the same reporting period, then the financial results of that particular reporting period could be materially affected.

Research and Development

Research and Development: Research and development costs are charged as an expense when incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation: Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the stock option grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recorded to cost of revenue, sales, general, and administrative, and research and development expense based on an employee's responsibility and function over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the straight-line attribution approach to determine the fair value of stock-based awards in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation. This option-pricing model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option's expected life, the price volatility and risk-free interest rate of the underlying stock, and expected forfeitures.

Insurance Recoveries

Insurance Recoveries: Insurance recoveries related to impairment losses previously recorded and other recoverable expenses will be recognized up to the amount of our related loss or expense in the period that recoveries become realizable. Insurance recoveries under business interruption coverage and insurance gains in excess of amounts previously written off related to impaired inventory and equipment or in excess of other recoverable expenses previously recognized will be recognized when they become realizable and all contingencies have been resolved. The evaluation of insurance recoveries requires estimates and judgments about future results which affect reported amounts and certain disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. As of September 30, 2015, we do not expect to receive any further insurance recoveries.

Foreign Exchange

Foreign Exchange: We recognize gains and losses due to the effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency primarily due to our operations in China. The assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet dates, and the revenue and expense amounts are translated at the average rate during the applicable periods reflected on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as other comprehensive income. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, both realized and unrealized, are recorded as foreign exchange (loss) gain on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts. We record valuation allowances against all deferred tax assets for amounts which are not considered more likely to be realized.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income: ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. It requires that all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in the financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other financial statements. Our comprehensive income consists of both net income and foreign currency translation adjustments and it is presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Income (Loss) Per Share

Income (Loss) Per Share: We are required, in periods in which we have net income, to calculate basic and diluted income per share using the two-class method. The two-class method is required because our unvested restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as these securities have the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents should we declare dividends on our common stock. Under the two-class method, during periods of net income, net income is first reduced for distributions declared on all classes of securities to arrive at undistributed earnings. The undistributed earnings are then allocated on a pro-rata basis between the common shareholders and participating securities holders. The weighted-average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period is then used to calculate basic and diluted income per share.

In periods in which we have a net loss, basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements that are of significance, or of potential significance, to us other than those discussed below:

• In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the accounting standard update, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when either it qualifies as held for sale, disposed of by sale, or disposed of other than by sale. In addition, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. While early adoption is allowed, we have determined that we would not early adopt and as a result this accounting standard update will be effective for our fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2015. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

• In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, 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. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs the seller satisfies a performance obligation by transferring to the customer promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In August, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers to defer the effective date of implementation by one year. The new standard will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted as of October 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We anticipate this standard will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

• In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The standard provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. In addition, the standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. This accounting standard update will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

• In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory. This standard requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value and applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in-first-out and the retail inventory method. Under this guidance, net realizable value is one of several calculations an entity needs to make to measure inventory at lower of cost or market. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

• In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. Under this guidance, organizations that present a classified balance sheet are required to classify all deferred taxes as non-current assets or non-current liabilities. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The new standard will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives

All of our warrants met the classification requirements for liability accounting pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging.

Accounts Receivable

The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the age of receivables and a specific identification of receivables considered at risk of collection.

Severance and restructuring accruals

Expense related to severance and restructuring accruals is included in selling, general, and administrative expense on our statement of operations and comprehensive income.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations ("ARO"): We have known conditional asset retirement conditions, such as certain asset decommissioning and restoration of rented facilities to be performed in the future. Our asset retirement obligations include assumptions related to renewal option periods for those facilities where we expect to extend lease terms. The Company recognizes its estimate of the fair value of its asset retirement obligations in the period incurred in long-term liabilities. The fair value of the asset retirement obligations is also capitalized as property, plant and equipment.

In future periods, the asset retirement obligation is accreted for the change in its present value and capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful life of the related assets. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment will be recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement capitalized cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, changes in estimated retirement costs, and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations.

Legal Proceedings

Professional legal fees are expensed when incurred. We accrue for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable.

Segment Reporting

We evaluate our reportable segment pursuant to ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and he assesses the performance of the operating segment and allocates resources to segment based on their business prospects, competitive factors, net revenue, operating results, and other non-GAAP financial ratios. Based on this evaluation, the Company operates as a single reportable segment.