Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization

Workiva Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we” or “us”), provides the world’s leading connected reporting and compliance platform, which is used by thousands of public and private companies, government agencies and higher-education institutions. The Workiva platform offers controlled collaboration, data linking, data integrations, granular permissions, process management and a full audit trail. Our operational headquarters are located in Ames, Iowa, with additional offices located in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Canada.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The financial information presented in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and in accordance with rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations. The operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year ending December 31, 2020.

Seasonality has affected our revenue, expenses and cash flows from operations. Revenue from professional services has been higher in the first quarter as many of our customers file their Form 10-K in the first calendar quarter. Sales and marketing expense has historically been higher in the third quarter due to our annual user conference in September, although our transition to a virtual event in 2020 is expected to partially mitigate this trend. In addition, the timing of the payments of cash bonuses to employees during the first and fourth calendar quarters may result in some seasonality in operating cash flow. The condensed consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in this report and the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on February 20, 2020.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Workiva Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. The reclassification of the prior period amounts were not material to the previously reported consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. These estimates include, but are not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the determination of the relative selling prices of our services, the measurement of material rights, health insurance claims incurred but not yet reported, valuation of available-for-sale marketable securities, useful lives of deferred contract costs, intangible assets and property and equipment, income taxes, discount rates used in the valuation of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, the fair value of the liability and equity components of the convertible senior notes, and certain assumptions used in the valuation of equity awards. While these estimates are based on our best knowledge of current events and actions that may affect us in the future, actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which amends the current accounting guidance and requires the measurement of all expected losses based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For trade receivables, loans, and other financial instruments, we are required to use a forward-looking expected loss model that reflects probable losses rather than the incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses. The standard became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Application of the amendments is through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date. Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted this standard. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.