Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization: CBIZ, Inc. is a diversified services company which, acting through its subsidiaries, has been providing professional business services since 1996, primarily to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as individuals, governmental entities, and not-for-profit enterprises throughout the United States and parts of Canada. CBIZ, Inc. manages and reports its operations along three practice groups: Financial Services, Benefits and Insurance Services and National Practices. A further description of products and services offered by each of the practice groups is provided in Note 21, Segment Disclosures, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the operations of CBIZ, Inc. and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“CBIZ”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. We have prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

We have determined that our relationship with certain Certified Public Accounting (“CPA”) firms with whom we maintain administrative service agreements (“ASAs”) qualify as variable interest entities. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not reflect the operations or accounts of variable interest entities as the impact is not material to our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Fees earned by us under the ASAs are recorded as “Revenue” (at net realizable value) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and were approximately $156.4 million, $144.8 million and $137.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, the majority of which was related to services rendered to privately-held clients. In the event that accounts receivable and unbilled work in process become uncollectible by the CPA firms, the service fee due to us is typically reduced on a proportional basis. Although the ASAs do not constitute control, we are one of the beneficiaries of the agreements and may bear certain economic risks.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management’s estimates and assumptions are derived from and are continually evaluated based upon available information, judgment and experience. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash: Restricted cash consists of funds held by us in relation to our capital and investment advisory services as those funds are restricted in accordance with applicable Financial Industry Regulatory Authority regulations. Restricted cash also consists of funds on deposit from clients in connection with the pass-through of insurance premiums to the carrier with the related liability for these funds recorded in “Accounts payable” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: Accounts receivable, less allowances for doubtful accounts, reflects the net realizable value of receivables and approximates fair value. Unbilled revenues are recorded at estimated net realizable value. Assessing the collectability of receivables (billed and unbilled) requires management judgment based on a combination of factors. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts and the overall probability of collecting on receivables, we analyze historical experience, client credit-worthiness, the age of the trade receivable balances, current economic conditions that may affect a client’s ability to pay and an evaluation of current and projected economic trends and conditions at the time of the balance sheet date. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $13.8 million and $13.5 million, respectively, in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Funds Held for Clients and Client Fund Obligations

Funds Held for Clients and Client Fund Obligations: Services provided by our payroll operations include the preparation of payroll checks, federal, state, and local payroll tax returns, and flexible spending account administration. In relation to these services, as well as other similar service offerings, we collect funds from our clients’ accounts in advance of paying client obligations. Funds that are collected before they are due are segregated and reported separately as “Funds held for clients” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Other than certain federal and state regulations pertaining to flexible spending account administration, there are no regulatory or other contractual restrictions placed on these funds.

Funds held for clients are reported in current assets and client fund obligations are reported in current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The balances in these accounts fluctuate with the timing of cash receipts and the related cash payments.

Funds held for clients include cash, overnight investments and corporate and municipal bonds (refer to Note 5, Financial Instruments, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of investments). If the par value of investments held does not approximate fair value, the balance in funds held for clients may not be equal to the balance in client fund obligations. The amount of collected but not yet remitted funds may vary significantly during the year based on the timing of clients’ payroll periods.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:

Buildings		25 to 40 years
Furniture and fixtures		5 to 10 years
Capitalized software		2 to 7 years
Equipment		3 to 7 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the remaining respective lease term. The cost of software purchased or developed for internal use is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life not to exceed seven years. Capitalized software is classified as property and equipment, net in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Goodwill

Goodwill: A significant portion of our assets is goodwill as a result of current and past acquisitions. At December 31, 2017, the carrying value of goodwill totaled $528.4 million, compared to total assets of $1.2 billion and total shareholders’ equity of $530.9 million. We utilize the acquisition method of accounting for all business combinations. Goodwill is recorded when the cost of acquired businesses exceeds the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. In accordance with GAAP, goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment annually, or between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not (defined as a likelihood of more than 50%) reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

We applied the principles as prescribed in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” in order to complete our annual goodwill impairment test. We considered changes to assumptions used in our most recent quantitative testing for each reporting unit, including the capital market environment, economic and market conditions, industry competition and trends, our weighted average cost of capital, changes in management and key personnel, the price of our common stock, changes in our results of operations, the magnitude of the excess of fair value over the carrying amount of each reporting unit as determined in our most recent quantitative testing, and other factors. Management determined there had not been a significant change in the operations of the five reporting units since the most recent quantitative assessment, as a result, it was concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units was greater than its carrying value, therefore, did not perform a quantitative impairment analysis.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets primarily consist of property and equipment and intangible assets, which include client lists and non-compete agreements. The intangible assets are amortized over their expected periods of benefit, which generally ranges from two to fifteen years. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets or groups of assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets or groups of assets is assessed based on a comparison of the undiscounted cash flows to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis or market comparable method. Determining the fair value of long-lived assets includes significant judgment by management, and different judgments could yield different results.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the consolidated financial statements and consist of taxes currently payable and deferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, and operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. State income tax credits are accounted for using the flow-through method.

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. CBIZ determines valuation allowances based on all available evidence. Such evidence includes historical results, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, expectations of future consolidated and/or separate company profitability and the feasibility of tax-planning strategies. Determining valuation allowances includes significant judgment by management, and different judgments could yield different results.

Accounting for uncertain tax positions requires a more-likely-than-not threshold for recognition in the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes a tax benefit based on whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained. The Company records a liability to the extent that a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return exceeds the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Awards

Share-Based Awards: The measurement of share-based compensation expense is based on the grant date fair value of the share-based awards made to employees and non-employee directors which is recognized over the required vesting period which is generally up to four years. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Sholes-Merton option pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield.

Share-based compensation expense is recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as “Operating expenses” or “Corporate general and administrative expenses” (“G&A expenses”), depending on where the respective individual’s compensation is recorded. For additional discussion regarding share-based awards, refer to Note 14, Employee Share Plans, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments: We account for derivative instruments in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, which requires all derivative instruments to be recognized in the financial statements and measured at fair value, regardless of the purpose or intent for holding them.

The designation of a derivative instrument as a hedge and its ability to meet the hedge accounting criteria determine how we reflect the change in fair value of the derivative instrument. A derivative qualifies for hedge accounting treatment if, at inception, it meets defined correlation and effectiveness criteria. These criteria require that the anticipated cash flows and/or changes in fair value of the hedging instrument substantially offset those of the position being hedged.

We utilize derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk associated with our floating-rate debt under the $400 million unsecured credit facility (as amended the “credit facility”). Interest rate swap contracts mitigate the risk associated with the underlying hedged item. If the contract is designated as a cash flow hedge, the mark-to-market gains or losses on the swap are deferred and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”), net of tax, to the extent effective, and reclassified to interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. If the contract is designated as a fair value hedge, the swap is recognized at fair value on the balance sheet, and changes in the fair value are recognized in interest expense. For further discussion regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to Note 5, Financial Instruments, to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Contingent Purchase Price Liabilities

Contingent purchase price liabilities result from our business acquisitions and are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition and are recorded in “Contingent purchase price liability — current” and “Contingent purchase price liability — non-current” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. We estimate the fair value of our contingent purchase price liabilities using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model. We probability weight risk-adjusted estimates of future performance of acquired businesses, then calculate the contingent purchase price based on the estimates and discount them to present value representing management’s best estimate of fair value. The fair value of the contingent purchase price liabilities are reassessed on a quarterly basis based on assumptions provided by practice group leaders and business unit controllers together with our corporate finance department. Any change in the fair value estimate is recorded in the earnings of that period. Refer to Note 6, Fair Value Measurements, and Note 18, Acquisitions, for further discussion of our acquisitions and contingent purchase price liabilities.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized and earned when all of the following criteria are satisfied: (i) a sales arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or service has been rendered; (iii) the fee to the client is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

Contract terms are typically contained in a signed agreement with the client (or when applicable, other third parties) which generally defines the scope of services to be provided, pricing of services, and payment terms generally ranging from invoice date to 90 days after invoice date. Billing may occur prior to, during, or upon completion of the service. We typically do not have acceptance provisions or right of refund arrangements included in these agreements. Contract terms vary depending on the scope of services provided, the deliverables, and the complexity of the engagement. We offer a vast array of products and business services to our clients delivered through our three practice groups. A description of revenue recognition, as it relates to those groups, is provided below:

Financial Services — Revenue primarily consists of fees for services rendered to our clients for traditional accounting services, tax return preparation, consulting services, compliance projects, services pursuant to administrative service agreements (described under “Basis of Presentation”), and valuation services including fairness opinions, capital assets, litigation support, purchase price allocations and derivative valuations. Clients are billed for these services based upon a fixed fee, a time and expense model or an outcome-based fee.

Revenue recognition as it pertains to each of these arrangements is as follows:

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Fixed fee arrangements — Revenue for fixed-fee arrangements is recognized over the performance period. Performance is measured in hours worked and anticipated realization.

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Time and expense arrangements — Revenue is recognized over the performance period. Progress is measured towards completion with value being transferred through our hourly fee arrangement at expected net realizable rates per hour, plus agreed-upon out-of-pocket expenses. The cumulative impact on any subsequent revision in the estimated realizable value of unbilled fees for a particular client project is reflected in the period in which the change becomes known.

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Outcome-based arrangements — Revenue is recognized at a point in time when savings to the client is determined and verified by a third party.

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Administrative service agreement revenue — Revenue for administrative service fees is recognized as services are provided, based upon actual fees earned.

Benefits and Insurance Services — Revenue consists primarily of brokerage and agency commissions, fee income for administering health and retirement plans and payroll service fees. Revenue also includes investment income related to client payroll funds that are held in CBIZ accounts, as is industry practice. A description of the revenue recognition, based on the service provided, insurance product sold, and billing arrangement, is provided below:

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Commissions revenue — Commissions relating to brokerage and agency activities whereby we have primary responsibility for the collection of premiums from the insured (agency or indirect billing) are recognized as of the later of the effective date of the insurance policy or the date billed to the customer; commissions to be received directly from insurance companies (direct billing) are recognized when the data necessary from the carriers to properly record revenue becomes available; and life insurance commissions are recognized when the policy becomes effective, which can be either the effective date or the date payment is received and policy is bound. Commission revenue is reported net of reserves for estimated policy cancellations and terminations. The cancellation and termination reserve is based upon estimates and assumptions using historical cancellation and termination experience and other current factors to project future experience. We periodically review the adequacy of the reserve and makes adjustments as necessary. The use of different estimates or assumptions could produce different results.

Contingent revenue arrangements related to commissions are based upon certain performance targets recognized at the earlier of written notification that the target has been achieved or cash collection.

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Fee income — Fee income is recognized in the period in which services are provided and may be based on predetermined agreed-upon fixed fees, actual hours incurred on an hourly fee basis, or asset-based fees. Revenue for fixed-fee arrangements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period, as these services are provided to clients continuously throughout the term of the arrangement. Revenue which is based upon actual hours incurred is recognized as services are performed.

Revenue for asset-based fees is recognized when the data necessary to compute revenue is determinable, which is typically when market valuation information is available.

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Payroll — Revenue related to payroll processing fees is recognized when the actual payroll processing occurs. Revenue related to investment income earned on payroll funds is based upon actual amounts earned on those funds and is recognized in the period that the income is earned.

National Practices — Business units comprising the National Practices group offer a variety of services which are described below:

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Technology consulting — Revenue consists of services that primarily relate to the installation, maintenance and repair of computer hardware. These services are charged to customers based on cost plus an agreed-upon markup percentage.

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Healthcare consulting — Clients are billed for healthcare consulting services based upon a predetermined agreed-upon fixed fee, a time and expense model, or as a percentage of savings. Revenue for fixed fee and time and expense arrangements is recognized over the performance period based upon actual hours incurred, and revenue that is contingent upon savings is recognized after contingencies have been resolved and verified by a third party.

Operating Expenses

Operating Expenses: Operating expenses represent costs of service and other costs incurred to operate our business units and are primarily comprised of personnel costs and occupancy related expenses.

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Personnel costs include (i) salaries and benefits; (ii) commissions paid to producers; (iii) incentive compensation; and (iv) share-based compensation. Incentive compensation costs and share-based compensation are estimated and accrued. The final determination of incentive compensation is made after year-end results are completed. Total personnel costs were $596.4 million, $544.8 million and $502.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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The largest components of occupancy costs are rent expense and utilities. Base rent expense is recognized over respective lease terms, while utilities and common area maintenance charges are recognized as incurred. Total occupancy costs were $46.3 million, $45.7 million and $41.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Operating Leases

Operating Leases: We lease most of our office facilities and equipment under various operating leases. Rent expense under such leases is recognized evenly throughout the term of the lease obligation when the total lease commitment is a known amount, and recorded on a cash basis when future rent payment increases under the obligation are unknown due to rent escalations being tied to factors that are not currently measurable (such as increases in the consumer price index). Differences between rent expense recognized and the cash payments required under operating lease agreements are recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Other non-current liabilities.” We may receive incentives to lease office facilities in certain areas. Such incentives are recorded as a deferred credit and recognized as a reduction to rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

New Accounting Pronouncements

The FASB ASC is the sole source of authoritative GAAP other than the SEC issued rules and regulations that apply only to SEC registrants. The FASB issues an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) to communicate changes to the FASB codification. We assess and review the impact of all ASU's. ASU's not listed below were reviewed and determined to be either not applicable or are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017

Subsequent Measurement of Goodwill: In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" ("ASU 2017-04"), which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (step two) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, goodwill impairment will be based upon the results of step one of the impairment test, which is defined as the excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit over its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The adoption ASU 2017-04 had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Compensation: In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) – Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”), which requires the tax effects related to share-based payments to be recorded through the income statement and simplifies the accounting requirements for forfeitures and employers' tax withholding requirements. We elected prospective treatment in regards to ASU 2016-09 beginning January 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 resulted in an increase of approximately 0.5 million diluted shares and a realized tax benefit of approximately $3.8 million in 2017. This tax benefit, which would have previously been recorded in additional paid-in capital in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, is now recorded directly to income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. We elected to classify excess tax benefits as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows instead of as a financing activity on a prospective basis and did not retrospectively adjust prior periods, as permitted. We also elected to continue our current policy of estimating forfeitures of share-based compensation awards at the time of grant and revising in subsequent periods to reflect actual forfeitures. Going forward, we anticipate moderate volatility in our effective tax rate related to our share-based compensation incentives which will be recorded directly into our results of operations.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Derivatives and Hedging: In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”). The new standard simplifies hedge accounting through changes to both designation and measurement requirements. For hedges that qualify as highly effective, the new standard eliminates the requirement to separately measure and record hedge ineffectiveness resulting in better alignment between the presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years; the ASU allows for early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the update. We do not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Modification Accounting for Share-Based Payment Awards: In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) – Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”), clarifying when a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. This new accounting standard requires modification accounting if the fair value, vesting condition or the classification of the award is not the same immediately before and after a change to the terms and conditions of the award. The new guidance is effective for us on a prospective basis beginning on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We typically do not change either the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards once they are granted, therefore; this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Restricted Cash - Statement of Cash Flows: In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)” (“ASU 2016-18”), which applies to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows. This new accounting standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and the amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts show on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 also requires the disclosure of information about the nature of the restriction. ASU 2016-18 is effective retrospectively for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We disclose annually in Note 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, the nature of restrictions, therefore we only expect this new guidance to have a presentation impact on our Consolidated States of Cash Flows.

Statement of Cash Flows: In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), which clarifies how certain cash receipts and payments are to be presented in the statement of cash flows. This new guidance will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Leases: In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”) which supersedes Topic 840, “Leases.” This new accounting standard is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations relating to leases and will require enhanced disclosures about our leasing arrangements. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The FASB retained a dual model for lease classification, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance leases to determine recognition in the income statement and statements of cash flows; however, substantially all leases will be required to be recognized on the balance sheet. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern.

ASU 2016-02 is effective for us beginning on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard requires a “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied to leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019 and apply the package of practical expedients available to us upon adoption. We are currently assessing the impact of this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements. As outlined in Note 10, Lease Commitments, we have approximately $200 million in future minimum cash commitments under operating leases, which we expect to have a material effect on our consolidated balance sheet, but we do not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on our results of operations, our liquidity or our debt covenant compliance under our current credit agreements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). This new accounting standard provides a comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and supersedes current revenue recognition guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue commensurate with the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued additional ASUs clarifying certain aspects of ASU 2014-09. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 was not changed by the additional guidance.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we substantially completed our evaluation of the new standard. Based on our evaluation, revenue recognition is consistent under both the legacy standard and the new standard for the majority of our revenue streams, with the exception of two business units within our Benefits and Insurance Services practice group. The revenue recognition policies, business processes, systems and internal controls in our Benefits and Insurance Services practice group have been modified under the new standard.

Effective January 1, 2018, we will apply the modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative effect adjustment directly to the opening balance of “Retained earnings” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net adjustment is expected to be an increase to retained earnings within a range of $1.5 million to $2 million primarily due to the acceleration of revenue in our property and casualty business unit, slightly offset by deferred revenue in our retirement plan services business unit.

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Property & Casualty business unit: the current accounting policy under agency billing arrangements (we bill the insured, collect the funds and forward the premium to the insurance carrier less our commission) is to recognize commission revenue as of the later of the effective date of the insurance policy or the date billed to the customer. Following adoption, we will recognize commission revenue on the effective date of the insurance policy.

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Property & Casualty business unit: the current accounting policy under direct billing arrangements (the insurance carrier bills the insured directly and forwards the commission to CBIZ) is to recognize commission revenue when the data necessary from the carriers is available. Following adoption, we will recognize commission revenue on the effective date of the insurance policy.

Since the majority of our property and casualty arrangements involve contracts that are annual in term, on a year over year basis we do not believe there will be a significant change to the amount of revenue recognized in an annual period, but we believe there will be quarterly fluctuations going forward based on the seasonal nature and timing of policy renewals.

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Retirement Plan Services business unit: under certain defined benefit administration arrangements, we charge new clients an initial, non-refundable, set up fee as part of a multi-year service agreement and recognize the revenue over the initial set-up period. Following adoption, we will defer these set-up fees and associated costs and recognize them over the life of the contract or the expected customer relationship, whichever is longer. The deferral of this set-up fee revenue is not expected to have a significant change to the amount of revenue recognized in an annual period.

In the quarterly reporting periods of 2018, under the modified retrospective method of adoption, we will (i) recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, (ii) present comparative periods under the legacy standard, (iii) apply the new revenue standard to new and existing contracts and (iv) disclose the amount by which each financial statement line item was affected as a result of applying the new standard by bridging the difference between the new standard and legacy standard.