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Business and summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)
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12 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2012
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| Business and summary of significant accounting policies |
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| Principles of consolidation |
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Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MAXIMUS, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
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| Revenue recognition |
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Revenue recognition
Revenue is generated from contracts with various pricing arrangements, including: (1) fixed-price; (2) performance-based criteria; (3) costs incurred plus a negotiated fee (“cost-plus”); and (4) time-and-materials. Also, some contracts contain “not-to-exceed” provisions. Of the contracts with “not-to-exceed” provisions, to the extent we estimate we will exceed the contractual limits, we treat these contracts as fixed-price. For fiscal 2012, revenue from performance-based contracts was approximately 44% of total revenue; revenue from cost-plus contracts was approximately 25% of total revenue; revenue from fixed-price contracts was approximately 27% of total revenue; and revenue from time-and-materials contracts was approximately 4% of total revenue. A majority of the contracts with state, local and foreign government agencies have been fixed-price and performance-based, and our contracts with the federal government generally have been cost-plus. Fixed-price and performance-based contracts generally offer higher margins but typically involve more risk than cost-plus or time-and-materials reimbursement contracts.
We recognize revenue on arrangements as work is performed and amounts are earned. We consider amounts to be earned once evidence of an arrangement has been obtained, services are delivered, fees are fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured.
We recognize revenue on performance-based contracts when earned, which generally occurs when amounts are billable to customers. For certain contracts, this may result in revenue being recognized in irregular increments.
Revenue on cost-plus contracts is recognized based on costs incurred plus an estimate of the negotiated fee earned. Revenue on time and materials contracts is recognized based on hours worked and expenses incurred.
We recognize revenue on fixed-priced contracts when earned, as services are provided. Revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis unless evidence suggests that revenue is earned or obligations are fulfilled in a different pattern. With fixed-price contracts, we are subject to the risk of potential cost overruns. The timing of expense recognition may result in irregular profit margins.
For certain fixed-price contracts, primarily systems design, development and implementation, we generally recognize revenue based upon costs incurred to date and our anticipated gross profit. The cumulative impact of any revisions in estimated revenue and costs is recognized in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Provisions for estimated losses on incomplete contracts are provided for in full in the period in which such losses become known. This policy may result in revenues being recognized at different points from amounts being billable. Where the Company enters into contracts where significant uncertainty exists over the ability of management to estimate the future costs, the Company will typically defer all revenue until such time as future costs are estimable or the system implementation is complete.
Where contracts have multiple deliverables, we evaluate these deliverables at the inception of each contract and as each item is delivered. As part of this evaluation, we consider whether a delivered item has value to a customer on a stand-alone basis and whether the delivery of the undelivered items is considered probable and substantially within our control, if a general right of return exists. Where deliverables, or groups of deliverables, have both of these characteristics, we treat each deliverable item as a separate element in the arrangement, allocate a portion of the allocable arrangement consideration using the relative selling price method to each element and apply the relevant revenue recognition guidance to each element. For transactions entered into prior to October 1, 2010, the ability to isolate deliverables as separate elements also required objective and reliable evidence of the fair market value of the undelivered items. This change in accounting rules did not have a material effect on the Company’s business.
Sales and purchases in jurisdictions subject to indirect taxes, such as value added tax, are recorded net of tax collected and paid.
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| Cash and cash equivalents |
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Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are valued at cost, which approximates market.
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| Restricted cash |
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Restricted cash
Restricted cash represents amounts held as collateral for lease, credit card and letter of credit arrangements, as well as funds held on behalf of clients.
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| Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts |
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Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts
Accounts receivable are recorded at their face amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts at an amount we estimate to be sufficient to cover the risk of collecting less than full payment on our receivables. On a regular basis we re-evaluate our client receivables, especially receivables that are past due, and reassess our allowance for doubtful accounts based on specific client collection issues.
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| Property and equipment |
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Property and equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives not to exceed 39.5 years for the Company’s buildings and between three and seven years for office furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over their useful life or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
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| Software development costs |
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Software development costs
All of the software development costs included within continuing operations relate to software which is intended for the Company’s internal use. Direct costs of time and material incurred for the development of application software for internal use are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, ranging from three to eight years.
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| Deferred contract costs |
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Deferred contract costs
Deferred contract costs consist of contractually recoverable direct set-up costs relating to long-term service contracts in progress. These costs include direct and incremental costs incurred prior to the commencement of us providing service to enable us to provide the contracted services to our customer. Such costs are expensed over the period services are provided under the long-term service contract.
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| Goodwill and intangible assets |
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Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill is obtained by the Company as a result of business combinations. Goodwill represents the difference between the consideration paid in acquiring the business and the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired.
Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment testing on an annual basis, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the operating segment, or a business one level below that operating segment (the component level) if discrete financial information is prepared and reviewed regularly by segment management. However, components are aggregated if they have similar economic characteristics. We recognize an impairment charge for any amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its fair value. We use discounted cash flows to establish fair values. When a portion of a reporting unit meeting the definition of a business is disposed of, goodwill is allocated using the relative fair value method for purposes of calculating the gain or loss on disposal. In addition, a goodwill impairment test is performed for the remaining portion of the reporting unit.
The Company performs its annual impairment test as of July 1 of each year. At July 1, 2012, the Company performed the annual impairment test and determined that there had been no impairment of goodwill.
Intangible assets from acquisitions, which consist primarily of customer contracts and relationships, technology-based intangibles and non-competition agreements, are amortized using the straight-line method over one to ten years, based on their estimated useful lives.
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| Long-lived assets (excluding goodwill) |
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Long-lived assets (excluding goodwill)
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Our review is based on our projection of the undiscounted future operating cash flows of the related customer project. To the extent such projections indicate that future undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying amount, we recognize a non-cash impairment charge to reduce the carrying amount to equal projected future discounted cash flows. No impairment charges were recorded in the three years ending September 30, 2012.
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| Leases |
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Leases
We lease office space under operating leases. Some of the lease agreements contain one or more of the following provisions or clauses: tenant allowances, rent holidays and rent escalation clauses. For the purpose of recognizing these provisions on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, we use the date of initial possession to begin amortization, which is generally when we enter the space and begin to make improvements in preparation of intended use.
For incentives received from the landlord, such as payments for tenant improvements or rent holidays, we record a deferred rent liability and amortize the deferred rent over the terms of the leases as reductions to rent expense. For scheduled rent escalation clauses during the lease term or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy, we record the minimum rental payments on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases. Where rent escalations are based upon CPI, we recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis assuming the CPI rate in place at the inception of the lease. Increases or decreases in lease payments that result from subsequent changes in the index are contingent rentals and thus affect the determination of income as accruable.
In addition, some of our operating leases contain exit clauses, which include termination fees associated with exiting a lease prior to the expiration of the lease term. We record termination obligations when we give notice to the landlord that we have elected the termination clause of such agreement. Our leases within the United States generally allow us to terminate an arrangement if the related customer contract is terminated or materially altered.
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| Legal and settlement expense (recovery), net |
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Legal and settlement expense (recovery), net
Legal and settlement expense (recovery), net consists of costs, net of reimbursed insurance claims, related to significant legal settlements and non-routine legal matters, including future probable legal costs estimated to be incurred in connection with those matters. Legal expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business are included in selling, general and administrative expense.
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| Income taxes |
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Income taxes
Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the differences reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. A tax benefit or expense is recognized for the net change in the deferred tax asset or liability during the year and the current tax liability for the year. We evaluate the realizability of our net operating loss carryforwards, which requires us to make certain estimates relating to the future operating results and cash flows to assess the valuation of the related deferred tax assets.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions by recognizing the financial statement effects of a tax position only when, based upon the technical merits, it is “more-likely-than-not” that the position will be sustained upon examination.
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| Foreign currency |
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Foreign currency
For all foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting cumulative translation adjustment is included in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in interest and other income and are typically immaterial.
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| Earnings per share |
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Earnings per share
The Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Basic earnings per share exclude dilution and are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
Diluted earnings per share reflect potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. Diluted earnings per share include the incremental effect of stock options and restricted stock units calculated using the treasury stock method.
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| Use of estimates |
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Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates used by the Company include estimates of profits or loss on contracts in process, estimates of collectability of receivables, evaluation of asset impairment, accrual of estimated liabilities, and valuation of acquisition-related contingent consideration liabilities.
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| Contingencies |
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Contingencies
From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings, including contract and employment claims, in the ordinary course of business. We assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these contingencies as well as potential ranges of probable losses and establish reserves accordingly. The amount of reserves required may change in future periods due to new developments in each matter or changes in approach to a matter such as a change in settlement strategy.
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| Reclassifications |
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Reclassifications
Certain financial results have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
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