Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2017

The following table represents the components of accounts receivable, net:



	October 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Accounts receivable	$	393,229		$	394,314
Unbilled accounts receivable	63,080			47,760
Total accounts receivable	456,309			442,074
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(5,165		)	(3,201		)
Total accounts receivable, net	$	451,144		$	438,873

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)
2017	$	3,201	$	2,149	$	(185	)	$	5,165
2016	$	2,561	$	950	$	(310	)	$	3,201
2015	$	2,026	$	1,300	$	(765	)	$	2,561


(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, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:



	October 31,
	2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Computer and other equipment	$	540,257		$	486,109
Buildings	68,877			68,194
Furniture and fixtures	54,882			51,589
Land	20,414			20,414
Leasehold improvements	153,619			136,773
	838,049			763,079
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)	(572,035		)	(506,044		)
Total	$	266,014		$	257,035


(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,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Payroll and related benefits	$	382,773	$	321,430
Other accrued liabilities	97,119		66,276
Accounts payable	19,954		13,745
Total	$	499,846	$	401,451

Components of Other Long Term Liabilities

Other Long-term Liabilities. The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2017		2016
	(in thousands)
Deferred compensation liability (See Note 10)	$	197,542	$	163,185
Other long-term liabilities	54,485		47,670
Total	$	252,027	$	210,855

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,
	2017		2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Numerator:
Net income	$	136,563	$	266,826	$	225,934
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic net income per share	150,457		152,017		154,957
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents from equity-based compensation	4,417		2,704		3,108
Weighted average common shares for diluted net income per share	154,874		154,721		158,065
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.91	$	1.76	$	1.46
Diluted	$	0.88	$	1.73	$	1.43
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded(1)	345		1,971		1,363


(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.