Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2021

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Note 16—Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values. These tiers are: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company utilizes the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The financial assets classified as Level 1 and Level 2 as of August 31, 2021 and 2020 represent investments that are restricted for use in nonqualified retirement savings plans for certain key employees and directors.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2021 and 2020:

				Fair value measurement category
				Quoted prices		Significant other		Significant
	Fair value			in active markets		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
	measurement date	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Restricted investments	August 31, 2021	$	2,260	$	2,016	$	244	$	—
Restricted investments	August 31, 2020	$	1,619	$	1,395	$	224	$	—

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2021 and 2020:

				Fair value measurement category
				Quoted prices		Significant other		Significant
	Fair value			in active markets		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
	measurement date	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	August 31, 2021	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Contingent consideration	August 31, 2021	$	2,537	$	—	$	—	$	2,537
Long-term debt	August 31, 2020	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Contingent consideration	August 31, 2020	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

The long-term debt (including any current portion of long-term debt) had no outstanding balance as of August 31, 2021 and 2020. The carrying value of the long-term debt approximates its fair value, as the interest rate is set based on the movement of the underlying market rates. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on long-term debt.

In connection with accounting for the ABchimie acquisition on September 1, 2020, the Company recorded a contingent consideration liability included within Other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet of €780 (approximately $928) on the acquisition date, representing the then fair value of contingent consideration payable upon the achievement of a performance-based target. The contingent consideration liability was valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model in an option pricing framework based on key inputs that are not all observable in the market, which represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The Company assesses the fair value of the contingent consideration liability at each reporting period. Any subsequent changes in the estimated fair value of the liability are reflected in Loss on contingent consideration on the consolidated statement of operations until the liability is settled. As of August 31, 2021, the liability increased to $2,537 predominantly due to changes in non-market data assumptions as well as a shorter period to the payment date. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on the acquisition of ABchimie.