Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2018

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



	October 31,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Accounts receivable	$	495,763		$	393,229
Unbilled accounts receivable	64,067			63,080
Total accounts receivable	559,830			456,309
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(5,613		)	(5,165		)
Total accounts receivable, net	$	554,217		$	451,144

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)
2018	$	5,165	$	3,368	$	(2,920	)	$	5,613
2017	$	3,201	$	2,149	$	(185	)	$	5,165
2016	$	2,561	$	950	$	(310	)	$	3,201


(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, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:



	October 31,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Computer and other equipment	$	604,117		$	540,257
Buildings	68,522			68,877
Furniture and fixtures	61,070			54,882
Land	18,849			20,414
Leasehold improvements	183,430			153,619
	935,988			838,049
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)	(626,678		)	(572,035		)
Total	$	309,310		$	266,014


(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

The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2018		2017
	(in thousands)
Payroll and related benefits	$	413,307	$	382,773
Other accrued liabilities	79,973		97,119
Accounts payable	85,046		19,954
Total	$	578,326	$	499,846

Components of Other Long Term Liabilities

The balance consists of:



	October 31,
	2018		2017
	(in thousands)
Deferred compensation liability (See Note 10)	$	212,165	$	197,542
Other long-term liabilities	53,395		54,485
Total	$	265,560	$	252,027

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,
	2018		2017		2016
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net income	$	432,518	$	136,563	$	266,826
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares for basic net income per share	149,036		150,457		152,017
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents from equity-based compensation	4,357		4,417		2,704
Weighted average common shares for diluted net income per share	153,393		154,874		154,721
Net income per share:
Basic	$	2.90	$	0.91	$	1.76
Diluted	$	2.82	$	0.88	$	1.73
Anti-dilutive employee stock-based awards excluded(1)	850		345		1,971


(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.