SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Business Activities

Business Activities – Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company") is a provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. The Company offers recent high school graduates and working adults degree and diploma programs in five principal areas of study: Automotive Technology, Health Sciences, Skilled Trades, Hospitality Services and Business and Information Technology. The Company currently has 38 schools and five training sites in 17 states across the United States.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2012 consolidated financial statements of the Company, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments including impairments, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for such periods.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals and contingencies.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation –The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations include stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.3 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for stock options and utilizes straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.  The Company makes an estimate of expected forfeitures at the time options are granted.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements – In October 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2012-04, which makes technical corrections, clarifications and limited-scope improvements to various topics throughout the Codification. The amendments in this ASU that do not have transition guidance and are effective upon issuance and the amendments that are subject to transition guidance will be effective for the Company's interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-03, which amends and corrects various sections in the Codification pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 114, SEC Release No. 33-9250 and ASU No. 2010-22. The amendments and corrections in this ASU are effective upon issuance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, which is included in the Codification under ASC 350, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other". This update allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it must perform a quantitative impairment test. An entity would be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset, if the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This guidance is effective for impairment tests performed for the Company's interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.