1.	Description of Business and Accounting Policies

Description of Business

BSQUARE Corporation (“Bsquare”) was incorporated in Washington State in July 1994. We provide software solutions and related engineering services to companies that develop smart, connected systems. A smart, connected system is a dedicated purpose computing device that typically has a display, runs an operating system (e.g., Microsoft^® Windows^® CE) and is usually connected to a network or data cloud via a wired or wireless connection. Examples of smart, connected systems include set-top boxes, home gateways, point-of-sale terminals, kiosks, voting machines, gaming platforms, tablets, handheld data collection devices, personal media players, smart phones, smart vending machines and in-vehicle telematics and entertainment devices. We focus on smart, connected systems that utilize Microsoft Windows Embedded and Windows Mobile operating systems as well as devices running other popular operating systems such as Android, Linux, and QNX.

We have been providing software solutions for smart, connected systems since our inception. Our customers include world class original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), original design manufacturers (“ODMs”) and corporate enterprises (“Enterprises”), as well as silicon vendors (“SVs”) and peripheral vendors which purchase our software solutions for purposes of facilitating processor and peripheral sales. In the case of Enterprises, our customers include those which develop, market and distribute smart, connected systems on their own behalf as well as those that purchase systems from OEMs or ODMs and require additional software, integration and/or testing. The software solutions we provide are utilized and deployed throughout various phases of our customers’ device life cycle, including design, development, customization, quality assurance and deployment.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BSQUARE Corporation and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Examples include provisions for bad debts and income taxes, estimates of progress on professional engineering service arrangements, bonus accruals, fair value of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of stock-based awards and the fair values of acquired assets and liabilities, among other estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic income or loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and warrants. Restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) are considered outstanding and included in the computation of basic income or loss per share when underlying restrictions expire and the awards are no longer forfeitable. Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are considered outstanding and included in the computation of basic income or loss per share only when vested. Diluted income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Unvested but outstanding RSUs and RSAs (which are forfeitable) are included in the diluted income per share calculation. In a period where we are in a net loss position, the diluted loss per share is computed using the basic share count.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share (in thousands):

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	2014		2013
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic income (loss) per share		11,574		11,174
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalent shares		214		—
Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted income (loss) per share		11,788		11,174

Common stock equivalent shares of 901,069 and 990,831 were excluded from the computations of basic and diluted income per share for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, because their effect was anti-dilutive.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments

We invest our excess cash primarily in highly liquid debt instruments of U.S. government agencies and municipalities, debt instruments issued by foreign governments, corporate commercial paper, money market funds, and corporate debt securities. We classify all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase as cash equivalents and all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of greater than three months as short-term investments.

Short-term investments consist entirely of marketable securities which are all classified as available-for-sale securities and are recorded at their estimated fair value. We determine the appropriate classification of our investments at the time of purchase and reevaluate such designation at each balance sheet date. We may or may not hold securities with stated maturities greater than 12 months until maturity. As we view these securities as available to support current operations, we classify securities with maturities beyond 12 months as short-term investments. We carry these securities at fair value, and report the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, as a component of stockholders’ equity, except for unrealized losses determined to be other than temporary which are recorded in other expense.

Restricted Cash

Our restricted cash represents funds held at a financial institution as security for an outstanding letter of credit expiring in 2020 related to our corporate headquarters lease obligation.

Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments, and accounts receivable.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record accounts receivable at the invoiced amount net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for potentially uncollectible receivables. We review customers which are past due to identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the allowance, we make judgments about the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations.

Equipment, Furniture and Leasehold Improvements

We account for equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation of equipment and furniture using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally three years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful lives, ranging from two to ten years. Maintenance and repairs costs are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, gains or losses are included in the statement of operations. When facts and circumstances indicate that the value of long-lived assets may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed by comparing the carrying value of the asset to projected undiscounted future cash flows. Upon indication that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss as a charge against current operations based on the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets were recorded as a result of business acquisitions and are stated at estimated fair value at the time of acquisition less accumulated amortization. We amortize our acquired intangible assets using the straight-line method using lives ranging from one to ten years. We review intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of these assets by comparing the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If intangible assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair market value.

Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill for impairment by performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying amount, no further testing is performed. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, we perform a quantitative two-step impairment test. The first step compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value, then the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of any impairment loss.

Third-Party Software Fees Payable

We record all fees payable and accrued liabilities related to the sale of third-party software, such as Microsoft Windows Embedded and Windows Mobile operating systems, as third-party software fees payable.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Advertising Costs

All costs of advertising, including cooperative marketing arrangements, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $558,000 in 2014 and $501,000 in 2013.

Stock-Based Compensation

The estimated fair value of stock based awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. We estimate forfeitures of stock based awards based on historical experience and expected future activity. The fair value of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock option awards are estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of each vesting tranche as calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option-pricing model. The BSM model requires various highly judgmental assumptions including expected volatility and option life. If any of the assumptions used in the BSM model change significantly, stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that recorded in the current period.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) refers to net income (loss) and other revenue, expenses, gains and losses that, under generally accepted accounting principles, are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from the calculation of net income (loss).

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes. We compute income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are provided for on the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. Our deferred tax amounts are measured using currently enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.

We recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable, based on its technical merits. The tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are classified in the consolidated financial statements as income tax expense.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Resulting translation adjustments are included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The net gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are recorded in the period incurred and were not significant for any of the periods presented.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from software and engineering service sales when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the selling price is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured. Contracts and customer purchase orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Shipping documents and time records are generally used to verify delivery. We assess whether the selling price is fixed or determinable based on the contract and/or customer purchase order and payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. We assess collectability based primarily on the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by credit checks and analysis, as well as the customer’s payment history. Periodically, we will begin work on engineering service engagements prior to having a signed contract and, in some cases, the contract is signed in a quarter after which service delivery costs are incurred. We do not defer costs associated with such engagements before we have received a signed contract.

We recognize software revenue upon shipment provided that no significant obligations remain on our part, substantive acceptance conditions, if any, have been met and the other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Service revenue from time and materials contracts, and training service agreements, is recognized as services are performed. Fixed-price service agreements, and certain time and materials service agreements with capped fee structures, are accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method assuming reasonable estimates of completion can be made. We use the percentage-of-completion method of accounting because we believe it is the most accurate method to recognize revenue based on the nature and scope of these engineering service contracts; we believe it is a better measure of periodic income results than other methods and it better matches revenue recognized with the costs incurred. Percentage of completion is measured based primarily on input measures such as hours incurred to date compared to total estimated hours to complete, with consideration given to output measures, such as contract milestones, when applicable. Significant judgment is required when estimating total hours and progress to completion on these arrangements which determines the amount of revenue we recognize as well as whether a loss is recognized if one is expected to be incurred for the remainder of the project. Revisions to hour and cost estimates are incorporated in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

In certain situations when it is impractical for us to reliably estimate either specific amounts or ranges of contract revenues and costs, and where we anticipate that we will not incur a loss, a zero profit model is used for revenue recognition. Equal amounts of revenue and cost are recognized during the contract period, and profit is recognized when the project is completed and accepted. This method was used in 2013 and 2014 for two engineering service contracts in Japan.

We also enter into arrangements in which a customer purchases a combination of software licenses, engineering services and post-contract customer support and/or maintenance (“PCS”). As a result, judgment is sometimes required to determine the appropriate accounting, including how the price should be allocated among the deliverable elements if there are multiple elements. PCS may include rights to upgrades, when and if available, telephone support, updates and enhancements. When vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value exists for all elements in a multiple element arrangement, revenue is allocated to each element based on the relative fair value of each of the elements. VSOE of fair value is established by the price charged when the same element is sold separately. Accordingly, the judgments involved in assessing the fair values of various elements of an agreement can impact the recognition of revenue in each period. Changes in the allocation of the sales price between deliverables might impact the timing of revenue recognition, but would not change the total revenue recognized on the contract. When elements such as software and engineering services are contained in a single arrangement, or in related arrangements with the same customer, we allocate revenue to each element based on its relative fair value, provided that such element meets the criteria for treatment as a separate unit of accounting. In the absence of fair value for a delivered element, revenue is first allocated to the fair value of the undelivered elements and then allocated to the residual delivered elements. In the absence of fair value for an undelivered element, the arrangement is accounted for as a single unit of accounting, resulting in a delay of revenue recognition for the delivered elements until the undelivered elements are fulfilled.

When engineering services and royalties are contained in a single arrangement, we recognize revenue from engineering services as earned in accordance with the criteria above even though the effective rate per hour may be lower than typical because the customer is contractually obligated to pay royalties on their device shipments. We recognize royalty revenue, classified as software revenue, when the royalty report from the customer is received or when such royalties are contractually guaranteed and the other revenue recognition criteria are met, particularly the criteria that collectability is reasonably assured.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, amending revenue recognition guidance and requiring more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact this ASU may have on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.” The new guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” requiring management to evaluate whether there is a substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The new guidance reduces diversity in the timing and content of disclosures from current guidance, and is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items,” eliminating the concept of an extraordinary item from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). As a result, an entity will no longer be required to segregate extraordinary items from the results of ordinary operations, to separately present an extraordinary item on its income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations or to disclose income taxes and earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. However, ASU 2015-01 retains the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature and occur infrequently. The new guidance will be effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 1, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.