Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE 2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation – The Company has prepared the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to these rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and footnotes related thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and the results of its operations and cash flows. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Basis of Consolidation – The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of WaferGen Bio-systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant transactions and balances between the WaferGen Bio-systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates – Preparing condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results and outcomes could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Foreign Currencies – Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries for which the local currency is the functional currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during each reporting period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are charged or credited to other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign exchange gains and losses for assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries for which the functional currency is the U.S. dollar are recorded in miscellaneous income (expense) in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts Receivable – An allowance for doubtful accounts will be recorded based on a combination of historical experience, aging analysis, and information on specific accounts. Account balances will be written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Inventory – Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market value. Additionally, the Company evaluates its inventory in terms of excess and obsolete exposures and records provisions where necessary.

Governmental Subsidies – Incentives received from governments in the form of grants are recorded as a reduction in expense in accordance with their purpose. Grants awarded for the purpose of matching specified expenditures are not recognized until a definitive agreement has been signed by both parties; thereafter income is recognized to the extent that the related expenses have been incurred. The Company recognized governmental subsidies of $69,494 and nil in the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively and $149,590 and nil in the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which were offset against operating expenses in the statement of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation – The Company measures the fair value of all stock-based awards to employees, including stock options, on the grant date and records the fair value of these awards, net of estimated forfeitures, to compensation expense over the service period. The fair value of awards to consultants is measured on the dates on which performance of services is completed, with interim valuations recorded at balance sheet dates while performance is in progress. The fair value of options is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and of restricted stock is based on the Company’s closing share price on the measurement date.

Change in Fair Value of Derivatives – The Company recognizes its warrants with certain anti-dilution protection, the Series A convertible preference shares of its Malaysian subsidiary, and the conversion element of its convertible promissory notes and of the Series B convertible preference shares of its Malaysian subsidiary as derivative liabilities. Such liabilities are valued when the financial instruments are initially issued or the derivative first requires recognition and are also revalued at each reporting date, with the change in their respective fair values being recorded as a gain or loss on revaluation within other income and expenses in the statement of operations. The Company determines the fair value of all of its derivative liabilities using a Monte Carlo Simulation approach, with key input variables provided by management.

Warranty Reserve – The Company’s standard warranty agreement is one year from shipment of certain products. The Company accrues for anticipated warranty costs upon shipment of these products. The Company’s warranty reserve is based on management’s judgment regarding anticipated rates of warranty claims and associated repair costs, and is updated quarterly.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share – Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus common share equivalents from conversion of dilutive stock options, warrants, and restricted stock using the treasury method, and convertible securities using the as-converted method, except when antidilutive. In the event of a net loss, the effects of all potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the diluted net loss per share calculation as their inclusion would be antidilutive.

Reclassification – Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ data to conform to the current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported net losses.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity” (“ASU 2013-05”). ASU 2013-05 clarifies the circumstances under which the cumulative translation adjustment arising from the consolidation of entities for which the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar should be released into net income. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013, and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.