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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the Company’s financial statements, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable And Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

The Company monitors outstanding receivables based on factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Credit is granted on an unsecured basis. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on an assessment of the Company’s ability to collect on customer accounts receivable. There is judgment involved with estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts and if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make the required payments, the Company may be required to record additional allowances or charges against revenues. Given the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic downturn, additional attention has been paid to the financial viability of its customers. The Company generally writes-off accounts receivable against the allowance when it determines a balance is uncollectible and no longer actively pursues its collection.

 

The following is a summary of the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in 000’s):

 

 

 

Year Ended

December 31,

2022

 

 

Year Ended

December 31,

2021

 

Beginning balance

 

$675

 

 

$657

 

Bad debt expense

 

 

406

 

 

 

257

 

Write-offs

 

 

(336 )

 

 

(239 )

Ending balance

 

$745

 

 

$675

 

Concentration Of Credit Risk

Financial instruments and related items which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivables. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with credit quality institutions. Such cash balances are currently in excess of the FDIC insurance limit of $250,000. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institutions, each quarter the Company evaluates the rating of the financial institution in which it holds deposits. As of December 31, 2022, the total amount exceeding such limit was $3,082,000. The Company also had cash-on-hand of $56,000 in Europe and $1,131,000 in Canada as of December 31, 2022.

 

The Company believes it did not have any financial instruments that could have potentially subjected us to significant concentrations of credit risk for any relevant period.

Fixed Assets

                 Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using principally the straight-line method. When items are retired or otherwise disposed of, income is charged or credited for the difference between net book value and proceeds realized thereon. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and replacements and betterments are capitalized. The range of estimated useful lives used to calculate depreciation for principal items of property and equipment are as follow:

lesser of 8 years or the lease term

Revenue Recognition

                Substantially all the Company’s revenue comes from contracts with customers for subscriptions to its cloud-based products or contracts for Communications and Compliance products and services. Customers consist of public corporate issuers and professional firms, such as investor and public relations firms. In the case of news distribution and webcasting offerings, customers also include private companies. The Company accounts for a contract with a customer when there is an enforceable contract between the Company and the customer, the rights of the parties are identified, the contract has economic substance, and collectability of the contract consideration is probable. The Company's revenues are measured based on consideration specified in the contract with each customer.

 

The Company's contracts include either a subscription to its entire platform, certain modules within the platform or to its Media Advantage Plan (MAP), or an agreement to perform services, or any combination thereof, and often contain multiple subscriptions and services. For these bundled contracts, the Company accounts for individual subscriptions and services as separate performance obligations if they are distinct, which is when a product or service is separately identifiable from other items in the bundled package, and a customer can benefit from it on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer. The Company separates revenue from its contracts into two revenue streams: i) Communications and ii) Compliance. Performance obligations of Communications contracts include providing subscriptions to certain modules or the entire Platform id. Communications module, distributing press releases on a per release basis or conducting webcasts, virtual annual meetings, or other events on a per event basis. MAP subscription contracts contain two performance obligations of which the first is a series of distinct services that include, but are not limited to, developing specific media plans and creating content to be distributed and the second performance obligation being access to the MAP platform along with distribution of press releases, ongoing support and assessment of performance as a stand-ready obligation. Performance obligations of Compliance contracts include providing subscriptions to its cloud-based Platform id. Compliance module, Whistleblower module or other stand-ready obligations to deliver services and annual report printing and distribution.  Additionally, services are provided on a per project basis. Set up fees for disclosure services are considered a separate performance obligation and are satisfied upfront. Set up fees for the transfer agent module and investor relations content management module are immaterial. The Company’s subscription and service contracts are generally for one year, with automatic renewal clauses included in the contract until the contract is cancelled. The contracts do not contain any rights of returns, guarantees, or warranties. Since contracts are generally for one year, all the revenue is expected to be recognized within one year from the contract start date. As such, the Company has elected the optional exemption that allows the Company not to disclose the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially satisfied at the end of each reporting period.

 

The Company recognizes revenue for subscriptions evenly over the contract period, upon distribution for per release contracts and upon event completion for webcasting and virtual annual meeting events. For service contracts that include stand ready obligations, revenue is recognized evenly over the contract period. For all other services delivered on a per project or event basis, the revenue is recognized at the completion of the event. The Company believes recognizing revenue for subscriptions and stand ready obligations using a time-based measure of progress, best reflects the Company’s performance in satisfying the obligations.

 

For bundled contracts, revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. Standalone selling prices are based on observable prices at which the Company separately sells the subscription or service. If a standalone selling price is not directly observable, the Company uses the residual method to allocate any remaining price to that subscription or service. The Company reviews standalone selling prices, at least annually, and updates these estimates if necessary.

 

The Company invoices its customers based on the billing schedules designated in its contracts, typically upfront on either a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis or per transaction at the completion of the performance obligation. Deferred revenue for the periods presented was primarily related to press release packages which have been prepaid, however the releases have not yet been disseminated, as well as, subscription and service contracts, which are billed upfront, quarterly, or annually, however the revenue has not yet been recognized. The associated deferred revenue is generally recognized as releases are disseminated for press release packages and ratably over the billing period for subscriptions. Deferred revenue as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, was $5,405,000 and $3,086,000, respectively, and is expected to be recognized within one year. Revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of each reporting period, was approximately $3,086,000 and $2,212,000, respectively. Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, related to contracts with customers was $2,978,000 and $3,291,000 as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Since substantially all the contracts have terms of one year or less, the Company has elected to use the practical expedient regarding the existence of a significant financing.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Earnings per share accounting guidance requires that basic net income per common share be computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income for the period by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options totaling 44,250 were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per common share during the year ended December 31, 2022, because their impact was anti-dilutive. There were no shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per common share during the year ended December 31, 2021.

Use Of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“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. Significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts and the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets, deferred tax assets, and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. For any uncertain tax positions, the Company recognizes the impact of a tax position, only if it is more likely than not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company’s policy regarding the classification of interest and penalties is to classify them as income tax expense in the financial statements, if applicable.

Capitalized Software

Costs incurred to develop the Company’s cloud-based platform products are capitalized when the preliminary project phase is complete, management commits to fund the project and it is probable the project will be completed and used for its intended purposes. Once the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, the software is amortized over its estimated useful life, which is typically four years. Costs related to design or maintenance of the software are expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Capitalized software development costs

 

$

 

 

$215

 

Amortization included in cost of revenues

 

 

63

 

 

 

540

 

Impairment Of Long-lived Assets

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for long-lived assets, assets such as property and equipment, trademarks, and intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds fair value of the asset group.

Lease Accounting

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease agreements are primarily for office space and are included within lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Variable lease payments consist of non-lease services related to the lease and payments under operating leases classified as short-term. Variable lease payments are excluded from the ROU assets and lease liabilities and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. As most of the leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. ROU assets include any lease payments due and exclude lease incentives. Rental expense for lease payments related to operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the financial statements are categorized based upon the hierarchy of levels of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value. Hierarchical levels directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities, are as follows:

 

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date. Generally, this includes debt and equity securities that are traded in an active market. Cash and cash equivalents are quoted at Level 1.

 

 

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Generally, this includes debt and equity securities that are not traded in an active market.

 

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or other valuation techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company believes the fair value of its financial instruments, such as, accounts receivable, note payable, the line of credit, and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts.

Stock-based Compensation

The authoritative guidance for stock compensation requires that companies estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of the grant using an option-pricing model. The associated cost is recognized over the period during which an employee or director is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

Translation Of Foreign Financial Statements

The financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities have been translated at current rates of exchange in effect at the end of the period. Income and expense items have been translated at the average exchange rates for the year or the applicable interim period. The gains or losses that result from this process are recorded as a separate component of other accumulated comprehensive income until the entity is sold or substantially liquidated.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive loss related to changes in the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment.

Business Combinations, Goodwill And Intangible Assets

The authoritative guidance for business combinations specifies the criteria for recognizing and reporting intangible assets apart from goodwill. The Company records the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition, with any excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Intangible assets consist of client relationships, customer lists, distribution partner relationships, software, technology, non-compete agreements and trademarks that are initially measured at fair value. At the time of the business combination, trademarks may be considered an indefinite-lived asset and, as such, are not amortized as there may be no foreseeable limit to cash flows generated from them. For the Newswire acquisition the Company determined the trademark was considered a definite lived asset which will be amortized over a period of 15 years. The goodwill and intangible assets are assessed annually for impairment, or whenever conditions indicate the asset may be impaired, and any such impairment will be recognized in the period identified. The client relationships (5-10 years), customer lists (3 years), distribution partner relationships (10 years), non-compete agreements (5 years) and software and technology (3-7 years) are amortized over their estimated useful lives (See Note 5).

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, advertising expense was $591,000 and $250,000, respectively.

Reclassifications                 Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform with the current year financial statement presentation. Included in sales marketing and product development expenses were $186,000 and $144,000 respectively, which has been reclassified to general and administrative expenses during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2022, we had $4,832,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $2,978,000 in net accounts receivable. Current liabilities as of December 31, 2022, totaled $31,191,000 including our note payable, accounts payable, deferred revenue, accrued payroll liabilities, income taxes payable, current portion of lease liabilities and other accrued expenses.

 

As of December 31, 2022, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $21,771,000.  While our current liabilities exceed current assets, we believe we will be able to refinance the note payable attributed to the Newswire acquisition before maturity due to our historical ability to generate cash as well as benefit from the addition of Newswire operations. We are actively involved in refinancing discussions at the time of this filing.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2023. This update requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The Company is still evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13, however, at this time the Company does not expect it to have a material impact to the financial statements

ERC Tax Credit

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law providing numerous tax provisions and other stimulus measures, including an employee retention credit (“ERC”), which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes. The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 extended and expanded the availability of the ERC.

 

We are eligible under ERC provisions of the CARES Act as an employer that carried on a trade or business during calendar year 2020 and whose business operations were fully or partially suspended during any calendar quarter in 2020 due to orders from an appropriate governmental authority limiting commerce, travel, or group meetings (for commercial, social, religious, or other purposes) due to COVID-19.

 

ASC 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, describes the decision-making framework when no guidance exists in US GAAP for a particular transaction. Specifically, ASC 105-10-05-2 instructs companies to look for guidance for a similar transaction within US GAAP and apply that guidance by analogy. As such, forms of government assistance, such as the ERC, provided to business entities would not be within the scope of ASC 958, but it may be applied by analogy under ASC 105-10-05-2. We accounted for the ERC as a government grant in accordance with Accounting Standards Update 2013-06, Not-for-Profit Entities (Topic 958) by analogy under ASC 105-10-05-2. Under this standard, government grants are recognized when the conditions or conditions on which they depend are substantially met. The conditions for recognition of the ERC include, but are not limited to:

 

 

·

An entity has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

 

 

 

 

·

We have not used qualifying payroll for both the Paycheck Protection Program and the ERC

 

 

 

 

·

We incurred payroll costs to retain employees

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, we recorded an ERC benefit of $366,000 in other income in our Consolidated statements of operations and in other current assets in our Consolidated balance sheets as of December 30, 2021.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”) is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2023. This update requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The Company is still evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13, however, at this time the Company does not expect it to have a material impact to the financial statements