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BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations EPAM Systems, Inc. (the “Company” or “EPAM”) is a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and software development services to customers located around the world, primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company’s industry expertise includes financial services, travel and consumer, software and hi-tech, business information and media, life sciences and healthcare, as well as other emerging industries. The Company is incorporated in Delaware with headquarters in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Principles of Consolidation Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of EPAM and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates 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. These estimates and assumptions affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience, knowledge of current conditions and its beliefs of what could occur in the future, given available information. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments and deposits that are readily convertible into cash, with maturities of three months or less at the date acquired. Highly liquid investments with maturities greater than three months at the date acquired are reported separately from cash equivalents.
Trade Receivables and Contract Assets Trade Receivables and Contract Assets — The Company classifies its right to consideration in exchange for deliverables as either a trade receivable or a contract asset. A trade receivable is a right to consideration that is unconditional (i.e., only the passage of time is required before payment is due) regardless of whether the amounts have been billed. Trade receivables are stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Outstanding trade receivables are reviewed periodically and allowances are provided for the estimated amount of receivables that may not be collected. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on historical experience and management’s evaluation of trade receivables. A contract asset is a right to consideration that is conditional upon factors other than the passage of time. Contract assets primarily relate to unbilled amounts on fixed-price contracts. Contract assets are recorded when services have been provided but the Company does not have an unconditional right to receive consideration. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the contract carrying amount is greater than the remaining consideration receivable, less directly related costs to be incurred.
Property and Equipment Property and Equipment — Property and equipment acquired in the ordinary course of the Company’s operations are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets generally ranging from two to fifty years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Business Combinations Business Combinations — The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method which requires it to estimate the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including any contingent consideration, to properly allocate the purchase price to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. The allocation of the purchase price utilizes significant estimates in determining the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, especially with respect to intangible assets. The significant estimates and assumptions used include the timing and amount of forecasted revenues and cash flows, anticipated growth rates, customer attrition rates, the discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows and the useful lives for finite-lived assets. There are different valuation models for each component, the selection of which requires considerable judgment. These determinations will affect the amount of amortization expense recognized in future periods. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes are reasonable, but recognizes that the assumptions are inherently uncertain. The acquired assets typically include customer relationships, software, trade names, non-competition agreements, and assembled workforce and as a result, a substantial portion of the purchase price is allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets.If the initial accounting for the business combination has not been completed by the end of the reporting period in which the business combination occurs, provisional amounts are reported to present information about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. Once the measurement period ends, which in no case extends beyond one year from the acquisition date, revisions to the accounting for the business combination are recorded in earnings.In some business combinations, the Company agrees to contingent consideration arrangements and the Company determines the fair value of the contingent consideration liabilities using Monte Carlo simulations (which involve a simulation of future revenues and earnings during the earn-out period using management’s best estimates) or probability-weighted expected return methods. Changes in financial projections, market risk assumptions, discount rates or probability assumptions related to achieving the various earn-out criteria would result in a change in the fair value of contingent consideration. Such changes, if any, are recorded within Interest and other income, net in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.All acquisition-related costs, other than the costs to issue debt or equity securities, are accounted for as expenses in the period in which they are incurred. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration arrangements that are not measurement period adjustments are recognized in earnings.
Long-Lived Assets Long-Lived Assets — Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When the carrying value of an asset is more than the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows, an impairment is recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis.
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — Goodwill and other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other. The Company conducts its evaluation of goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 31st, and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below. The Company does not have intangible assets other than goodwill that have indefinite useful lives.
Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Financial Instruments — The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to fluctuations in certain foreign currencies. The Company measures these foreign currency derivative contracts at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing Level 2 inputs and recognizes them as either assets or liabilities in its consolidated balance sheets. The Company records changes in the fair value of these hedges in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) until the forecasted transaction occurs. When the forecasted transaction occurs, the Company reclassifies the related gain or loss on the cash flow hedge to cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). In the event the underlying forecasted transaction does not occur, or it becomes probable that it will not occur, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss on the underlying hedge into income. If the Company does not elect hedge accounting, or the contract does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the changes in fair value from period to period are recorded in income. The cash flow impact of derivatives identified as hedging instruments is reflected as cash flows from operating activities. The cash flow impact of derivatives not identified as hedging instruments is reflected as cash flows from investing activities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company makes assumptions about fair values of its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, and utilizes the following fair value hierarchy in determining inputs used for valuation:
Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, and observable inputs other than quoted prices such as interest rates or yield curves.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s view about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Where the fair values of financial assets and liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets cannot be derived from an active market, they are determined using a variety of valuation techniques. These valuation techniques include a net present value technique, comparison to similar instruments with market observable inputs, option pricing models and other relevant valuation models. To the extent possible, observable market data is used as inputs into these models but when it is not feasible, a degree of judgment is required to establish fair values.
Changes in the fair value of liabilities could cause a material impact to, and volatility in the Company’s operating results. See Note 4 “Fair Value Measurements.”
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss — Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) consists of changes in the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments and actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension plans. In addition, the Company enters into foreign currency exchange contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Changes in the fair values of these foreign currency exchange contracts are recognized in AOCI on the Company's consolidated balance sheets until the settlement of those contracts.
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition — The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606 which requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services as well as requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments.
The Company recognizes revenues when control of goods or services is passed to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Such control may be transferred over time or at a point in time depending on satisfaction of obligations stipulated by the contract. Consideration expected to be received may consist of both fixed and variable components and is allocated to each separately identifiable performance obligation based on the performance obligation’s relative standalone selling price. Variable consideration usually takes the form of volume-based discounts, service level credits, price concessions or incentives. Determining the estimated amount of such variable consideration involves assumptions and judgment that can have an impact on the amount of revenues reported.
The Company derives revenues from a variety of service arrangements, which have been evolving to provide more customized and integrated solutions to customers by combining software engineering with customer experience design, business consulting and technology innovation services. Fees for these contracts may be in the form of time-and-materials or fixed-price arrangements. The Company generates the majority of its revenues under time-and-material contracts, which are billed using hourly, daily or monthly rates to determine the amounts to be charged directly to the customer. The Company applies a practical expedient and revenues related to time-and-material contracts are recognized based on the right to invoice for services performed.
Fixed-price contracts include maintenance and support arrangements which may exceed one year in duration. Maintenance and support arrangements generally relate to the provision of ongoing services and revenues for such contracts are recognized ratably over the expected service period. Fixed-price contracts also include application development arrangements, where progress towards satisfaction of the performance obligation is measured using input or output methods and input methods are used only when there is a direct correlation between hours incurred and the end product delivered. Assumptions, risks and uncertainties inherent in the estimates used to measure progress could affect the amount of revenues, receivables and deferred revenues at each reporting period.
Revenues from licenses which have significant stand-alone functionality are recognized at a point in time when control of the license is transferred to the customer. Revenues from licenses which do not have stand-alone functionality are recognized over time.
If there is an uncertainty about the receipt of payment for the services, revenue recognition is deferred until the uncertainty is sufficiently resolved. The Company applies a practical expedient and does not assess the existence of a significant financing component if the period between transfer of the service to a customer and when the customer pays for that service is one year or less.
The Company reports gross reimbursable “out-of-pocket” expenses incurred as both revenues and cost of revenues in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
Cost of Revenues (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization) Cost of Revenues (Exclusive of Depreciation and Amortization) — Consists principally of salaries, bonuses, fringe benefits, stock-based compensation, project related travel costs and fees for subcontractors that are assigned to customer projects. Salaries and other compensation expenses of the Company’s delivery professionals are reported as cost of revenues regardless of whether the employees are actually performing customer services during a given period.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, General and Administrative Expenses — Consists of expenses associated with promoting and selling the Company’s services and general and administrative functions of the business. These expenses include the costs of salaries, bonuses, fringe benefits, stock-based compensation, severance, bad debt, travel, legal and accounting services, insurance, facilities including operating leases, advertising and other promotional activities, and certain non-income taxes.
Stock-based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation — The Company recognizes the cost of its equity settled stock-based incentive awards based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant, net of estimated forfeitures. The grant date fair value for stock options and stock purchase rights under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (”ESPP”) is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing valuation model. The cost is generally expensed evenly over the service period, unless otherwise specified by the award agreement. The service period is the period over which the employee performs the related services, which is normally the same as the vesting period. Equity-based awards that do not require future service are expensed immediately. For awards with performance conditions, the amount of compensation cost we recognize over the requisite service period is based on the actual or expected achievement of the performance condition. Quarterly, the forfeiture assumption is adjusted to reflect actual forfeitures and such adjustment may affect the timing of recognition of the total amount of expense recognized over the vesting period. Stock-based awards that do not meet the criteria for equity classification are recorded as liabilities and adjusted to fair value at the end of each reporting period.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes — The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local and foreign taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be reversed. Changes to enacted tax rates would result in either increases or decreases in the provision for income taxes in the period of changes.
The realizability of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on future earnings. The Company evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets and recognizes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that all, or a portion of, deferred tax assets will not be realized. A reduction in estimated forecasted results may require that we record valuation allowances against deferred tax assets. Once a valuation allowance has been established, it will be maintained until there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. A pattern of sustained profitability will generally be considered as sufficient positive evidence to reverse a valuation allowance. If the allowance is reversed in a future period, the income tax provision will be correspondingly reduced. Accordingly, the increase and decrease of valuation allowances could have a significant negative or positive impact on future earnings.
The United States subjects corporations to taxes on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. The Company elected to provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred.
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Earnings per Share (“EPS”) — Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, increased by the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted stock, unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and the stock to be issued under the ESPP. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.
Foreign Currency Transaction
Foreign Currency Translation — Assets and liabilities of consolidated foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates and revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at daily exchange rates. The adjustment resulting from translating the financial statements of such foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars is reflected as a cumulative translation adjustment and reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss).
For consolidated foreign subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the local currency, transactions and balances denominated in the local currency are foreign currency transactions. Foreign currency transactions and balances related to non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to the functional currency of the subsidiary at historical exchange rates while monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to the functional currency of the subsidiary at period-end exchange rates. Foreign currency exchange gains or losses from remeasurement are included in income in the period in which they occur.
Risks and Uncertainties
Risks and Uncertainties — As a result of its global operations, the Company may be subject to certain inherent risks. 
Concentration of Credit — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade receivables. The Company maintains cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments with financial institutions. The Company believes its credit policies reflect normal industry terms and business risk and there is no expectation of non-performance by the counterparties.
The Company has cash in countries, including Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, where the banking sector remains subject to periodic instability, banking and other financial systems generally do not meet the banking standards of more developed markets, and bank deposits made by corporate entities are not insured. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $232.6 million of cash and cash equivalents in banks in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, representing 16.1% of the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions considered stable in the region, limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution and conducts ongoing evaluations of the credit worthiness of the financial institutions with which it does business. A banking crisis, bankruptcy or insolvency of banks that process or hold the Company’s funds, or sanctions may result in the loss of deposits or adversely affect the Company’s ability to complete banking transactions, which could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition. Cash in these countries is used for the operational needs of the local entities and cash balances change with the expected operating needs of these entities. The Company regularly monitors cash held in these countries and, to the extent the cash held exceeds amounts required to support its operations in these countries, the Company distributes the excess funds into markets with more developed banking sectors.
Trade receivables are generally dispersed across many customers operating in different industries; therefore, concentration of credit risk is limited. Historically, credit losses and write-offs of trade receivables have not been material to the consolidated financial statements. If any of our customers enter bankruptcy protection or otherwise take steps to alleviate their financial distress, the Company’s credit losses and write-offs of trade receivables could increase, which would negatively impact its results of operations.
Foreign currency risk — The Company’s global operations are conducted predominantly in U.S. dollars. Other than U.S. dollars, the Company generates revenues in various currencies, principally, euros, British pounds, Russian rubles, Swiss francs, and Canadian dollars and incurs expenditures principally in Russian rubles, Polish zlotys, euros, Swiss francs, Hungarian forints, British pounds, Indian rupees, Chinese yuan renminbi and Mexican pesos.
The Company’s international operations expose it to foreign currency exchange rate changes that could impact translations of foreign denominated assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars and future earnings and cash flows from transactions denominated in different currencies. The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates primarily related to trade receivables from sales in foreign currencies and cash outflows for expenditures in foreign currencies. The Company’s results of operations, primarily revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies, can be affected if any of the currencies, which are used materially in the Company’s business, appreciate or depreciate against the U.S. dollar. The Company has a hedging program whereby it entered into a series of foreign exchange forward contracts with durations of twelve months or less that are designated as cash flow hedges of forecasted Russian ruble, Polish zloty, Indian rupee and Hungarian forint transactions.
Interest rate risk — The Company’s exposure to market risk is influenced by the changes in interest rates received on cash and cash equivalent deposits and short-term investments and paid on any outstanding balance on the Company’s borrowings, mainly under the 2021 Credit Facility, which is subject to a variety of rates depending on the type and timing of funds borrowed (See Note 9 “Debt”). The Company does not believe it is exposed to material direct risks associated with changes in interest rates related to these deposits and borrowings.
Adoption of New/ Pending Accounting Standards
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Unless otherwise discussed below, the adoption of new accounting standards did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Business Combinations - In October 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 606. ASU 2021-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. An entity that adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application. The Company early adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2021, retrospectively to January 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the previously reported unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments — In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.
The amendments in this update changed how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for many financial assets. The new credit loss model requires companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets, including trade receivables, that are in the scope of the update. The update also made amendments to the current impairment model for held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities and certain guarantees. The Company adopted Topic 326, effective January 1, 2020, using a modified-retrospective approach through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. As a result of the adoption of Topic 326, the Company recorded an immaterial reduction to its allowance for doubtful accounts for trade receivables and contract assets.
Pending Accounting Standards
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that the Company will adopt according to the various timetables the FASB specifies. The Company believes the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows upon adoption.
Non-Marketable Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair Values Non-Marketable Securities Without Readily Determinable Fair ValuesThe Company holds investments in equity securities that do not have readily determinable fair values. These investments are recorded at cost and are remeasured to fair value based on certain observable price changes or impairment events as they occur.