Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 02, 2015

Exponent, Inc. together with its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) is a science and engineering consulting firm that provides solutions to complex problems. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the Friday closest to December 31^st. Fiscal period 2014 included 52 weeks of activity and ended on January 2, 2015. Fiscal period 2013 included 53 weeks of activity and ended on January 3, 2014. Fiscal period 2012 included 52 weeks of activity and ended on December 28, 2012. Fiscal period 2015 will end on January 1, 2016.

Authorized Capital Stock

Authorized Capital Stock

The Company committed to stockholders in a letter dated May 23, 2006 to limit its use of its authorized capital stock to 40 million common shares, and 2 million preferred shares, unless the approval of the Company’s stockholders is obtained subsequently, such as through a further amendment to the Company’s authorized capital stock.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues primarily from professional fees earned on consulting engagements, fees earned for the use of its equipment and facilities, and reimbursements for outside direct expenses associated with the services that are billed to its clients. Any taxes assessed on revenues relating to services provided to its clients are recorded on a net basis.

The Company reports service revenues net of subcontractor fees. The Company has determined that it is not the primary obligor with respect to these subcontractors because:

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its clients are directly involved in the subcontractor selection process;

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the subcontractor is responsible for fulfilling the scope of work; and

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the Company passes through the costs of subcontractor agreements with only a minimal fixed percentage mark-up to compensate it for processing the transactions.

Reimbursements, including those related to travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, and other similar third party costs such as the cost of materials, are included in revenues, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in operating expenses. Any mark-up on reimbursable expenses is included in revenues.

Substantially all of the Company’s engagements are performed under time and material or fixed-price billing arrangements. On time and material and fixed-price projects, revenue is generally recognized as the services are performed. For substantially all of the Company’s fixed-price engagements, it recognizes revenue based on the relationship of incurred labor hours at standard rates to its estimate of the total labor hours at standard rates it expects to incur over the term of the contract. The Company believes this methodology achieves a reliable measure of the revenue from the consulting services it provides to its customers under fixed-price contracts given the nature of the consulting services the Company provides and the following additional considerations:

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the Company considers labor hours at standard rates and expenses to be incurred when pricing its contracts;

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the Company generally does not incur set up costs on its contracts;

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the Company does not believe that there are reliable milestones to measure progress toward completion;

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if the contract is terminated early, the customer is required to pay the Company for time at standard rates plus materials incurred to date;

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the Company does not recognize revenue for award fees or bonuses until specific contractual criteria are met;

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the Company does not include revenue for unpriced change orders until the customer agrees with the changes;

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historically the Company has not had significant accounts receivable write-offs or cost overruns; and

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its contracts are typically progress billed on a monthly basis.

Product revenue is recognized when both title and risk of loss transfer to the customer and customer acceptance has occurred, provided that no significant obligations remain.

Gross revenues and reimbursements for the fiscal years ended January 2, 2015, January 3, 2014 and December 28, 2012, respectively, were:

			Fiscal Years
(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Gross revenues	$	313,723	$	302,742	$	298,818
Less: Subcontractor fees		9,019		6,574		6,165
Revenues		304,704		296,168		292,653

Reimbursements:
Out-of-pocket reimbursements		5,862		6,619		6,426
Other outside direct expenses		9,633		9,506		19,665
		15,495		16,125		26,091
Revenues before reimbursements	$	289,209	$	280,043	$	266,562

Significant management judgments and estimates must be made in connection with the revenues recognized in any accounting period. These judgments and estimates include an assessment of collectability and, for fixed-price engagements, an estimate as to the total effort required to complete the project. If the Company made different judgments or utilized different estimates, the amount and timing of its revenue for any period could be materially different.

All consulting contracts are subject to review by management, which requires a positive assessment of the collectability of contract amounts. If, during the course of the contract, the Company determines that collection of revenue is not reasonably assured, it does not recognize the revenue until its collection becomes reasonably assured, which in those situations would generally be upon receipt of cash. The Company assesses collectability based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the client, as well as the credit-worthiness of the client. Losses on fixed-price contracts are recognized during the period in which the loss first becomes evident. Contract losses are determined to be the amount by which the estimated total costs of the contract exceeds the total fixed price of the contract.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company translates the assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency is the local currency, at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The adjustment resulting from translating the financial statements of such foreign subsidiaries is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments such as money market mutual funds, commercial paper and debt securities with original remaining maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase.

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments consist of debt securities classified as available-for-sale and are carried at their fair value as of the balance sheet date. Short-term investments generally mature between three months and three years from the purchase date. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent investments readily available for current operations.

The amortized cost of securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included in interest income. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method and are reflected in other income. Net unrealized gains and losses are recorded directly in accumulated other comprehensive income except for unrealized losses that are deemed to be other-than-temporary, which are reflected in net income.

Investments are reviewed on a regular basis to evaluate whether or not any security has experienced an other-than temporary decline in fair value. When assessing investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, the Company considers the significance of the decline in value as a percentage of the original cost, how long the market value of the investment has been less than its original cost, any news that has been released specific to the investee, and the Company’s intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investments cost basis.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Losses

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Losses

The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to meet their financial obligations or for disputes that affect our ability to fully collect amounts due. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations or aware of a dispute with a specific customer a specific allowance is recorded to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based upon historical write-offs, customer concentration, customer credit-worthiness, current economic conditions, aging of amounts due and changes in customer payment terms.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recognized using the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from thirty to forty years. Equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life, which generally ranges from two to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives, generally seven years, or the term of the related lease.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The Company has not recognized impairment losses on any long-lived assets in fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Goodwill

Goodwill

The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment review is completed during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company evaluates goodwill for each reporting unit for impairment by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The Company considers events and circumstances, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, a change in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets and changes in the price of its common stock. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not performed.

If the two-step goodwill test is performed, the Company determines the existence of impairment by assessing the fair value of the applicable reporting unit, including goodwill, using expected future cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied value of the reporting unit goodwill.

The Company completed its annual assessment for all reporting units with goodwill for fiscal 2014 and determined, after assessing the totality of the qualitative factors, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is greater than its respective carrying amount. Accordingly there was no indication of impairment of goodwill for any of the Company’s reporting units and the two-step goodwill impairment test was not performed. The Company did not recognize any goodwill impairment losses in fiscal years 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Deferred Revenues

Deferred revenues represent amounts billed to clients in advance of services provided, primarily on fixed-price projects.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. income taxes are provided on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless the subsidiaries’ earnings are considered permanently reinvested outside the U.S. An uncertain tax position is recognized if it is determined that it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties are insignificant at January 2, 2015 and January 3, 2014.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are recorded at fair value. The carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable approximates their fair values due to their short maturities.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. The Company estimates the number of awards that are expected to vest and revises the estimate as actual forfeitures differ from that estimate. Estimated forfeiture rates are based on the Company’s historical experience.

Net Income Per Share

Basic per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive securities, using the treasury stock method if their effect would be dilutive.

The following schedule reconciles the denominators of the Company’s calculation for basic and diluted net income per share:

			Fiscal Years
(In thousands)	2014		2013		2012

Shares used in basic per share computation		13,455		13,616		13,780

Effect of dilutive common stock options outstanding		68		82		150

Effect of unvested restricted stock units outstanding		310		327		363

Shares used in diluted per share computation		13,833		14,025		14,293

There were no equity awards excluded from the diluted per share calculation for the fiscal years ended January 2, 2015, January 3, 2014 and December 28, 2012.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on the first day of fiscal 2017 (December 31, 2016) unless an extension of the effective date is granted by the FASB. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.