Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2014

Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts.



Fiscal Year	Balance at Beginning of Period		Provisions			Write-offs(1)			Balance at End of Period
	(in thousands)
2014	$	4,253	$	(1,250	)	$	(977	)	$	2,026
2013	$	6,072	$	102		$	(1,921	)	$	4,253
2012	$	2,489	$	3,754		$	(171	)	$	6,072


(1)	Balances written off, net of recoveries.

Components of Property and Equipment

A summary of property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, as of October 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:



	October 31,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Computer and other equipment	$	419,951		$	372,295
Buildings	68,871			69,352
Furniture and fixtures	41,089			31,317
Land	20,414			20,414
Leasehold improvements	136,513			96,334
	686,838			589,712
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)	(437,740		)	(392,112		)
Total	$	249,098		$	197,600


(1)	Accumulated depreciation and amortization includes write-offs due to retirement of fully amortized fixed assets.

Useful Lives of Depreciable Assets

The useful lives of depreciable assets are as follows:



	Useful Life in Years
Computer and other equipment	3-5
Buildings	30
Furniture and fixtures	5
Leasehold improvements (average)	5

Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities. The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Payroll and related benefits	$	302,295	$	302,374
Other accrued liabilities	66,666		47,248
Accounts payable	28,152		8,575
Total	$	397,113	$	358,197

Components of Other Long Term Liabilities

Other Long-term Liabilities. The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Deferred compensation liability (See Note 10)	$	145,508	$	126,621
Other long-term liabilities	13,464		38,318
Total	$	158,972	$	164,939

Reconciliation of Weighted Average Common Shares Used to Calculate Basic Net Income Per Share

The table below reconciles the weighted average common shares used to calculate basic net income per share with the weighted average common shares used to calculate diluted net income per share:



	Year Ended October 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Numerator:
Net income	$	259,124	$	247,800	$	182,402
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic net income per share	155,054		153,319		146,887
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents from equity—based compensation	2,656		3,282		3,393
Weighted average common shares for diluted net income per share	157,710		156,601		150,280
Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.67	$	1.62	$	1.24
Diluted	$	1.64	$	1.58	$	1.21
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded(1)	2,196		1,326		3,314


(1)	These stock options and unvested restricted stock units were anti-dilutive for the respective periods and are excluded in calculating diluted net income per share. While such awards were anti-dilutive for the respective periods, they could be dilutive in the future.