BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Stericycle, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of all wholly owned subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control. Outside shareholders' interests in subsidiaries are shown on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as “Noncontrolling interests".

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2021 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim reporting and, therefore, do not include all information and footnote disclosures normally included in audited financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, however, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations, financial position and cash flows have been made. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2020 Form 10-K. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year or any other period.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Some areas where the Company makes estimates include its allowance for doubtful accounts, credit memo reserve, accrued employee health and welfare benefits, contingent liabilities, asset retirement obligations, stock-based compensation expense, income tax liabilities, accrued auto and workers’ compensation self-insured claims, operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities, intangible asset and long-lived asset valuations, assets held for sale, and goodwill impairment. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 attempts to simplify aspects of accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 was effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 on January 1, 2021 and there was no material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.