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Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to the presentation in the current year financial statements. These reclassifications had no effect on previous reported income.

Use of Estimates

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Significant estimates, required by management, include the allowance for bad debt, valuation of inventories and recoverability of long-lived assets and goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Business Combination

For a business combination with an acquisition date on or after January 1, 2009, the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree were recognized at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. In a business combination achieved in stages, the identifiable assets and liabilities, as well as the noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, were recognized at the full amounts of their fair values. In a bargain purchase in which the total acquisition-date fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired exceeds the fair value of the consideration transferred plus any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, that excess in earnings was recognized as a gain attributable to the acquirer.

Deferred tax liability and asset were recognized for the deferred tax consequences of differences between the tax bases and the recognized values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740-10.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment, annually or when circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Impairment testing is performed at a reporting unit level. An impairment loss generally would be recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, with the fair value of the reporting unit determined using discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF analysis to forecast operating cash flows, including the discount rate, the internal rate of return and projections of realizations and costs to produce. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the fair values of its reporting units are estimated. As of December 31, 2011, the Company concluded there was no impairment of goodwill.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. Based on historical collection activity, the Company did not record an allowance for bad debts as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value with cost determined on a weighted-average basis, which approximates the first-in first-out method. Management compares the cost of inventories with the net realizable value and an allowance is made for writing down their inventories to market value, if lower. The Company did not record any provision for write-downs of inventory at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Plant, Property and Equipment

Plant, property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and improvements are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method for substantially all assets with 10% salvage value and estimated lives as follows:

Building and workshops
20 years
Computer and office equipment
5 years
Museum decoration and renovation
10 years
Machinery
10 years
Autos
5 years

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is generally determined using the asset’s expected future discounted cash flows or market value, if readily determinable. Based on its review, the Company believes that, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no significant impairments of its long-lived assets.

Research and Development
Research and development costs are related primarily to the Company designing and testing its new products in development stage. Research and development costs are recognized in general and administrative expenses and expensed as incurred. Research and development expense was $164,720 and $77,654 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates, applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

The Company follows ASC Topic 740, which prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods, and income tax disclosures.

Under the provisions of ASC Topic 740, when tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

China’s Corporate Income Tax Law (“CIT Law”), together with its Implementation Regulations, effective as of January 1, 2008, introduced a set of anti-avoidance measures under its special tax adjustments regulations. In January 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued Circular of the State Administration of Taxation on the Issuance of the Implementation Measure of Special Tax Adjustments (“Circular 2”). The regulation is applied retrospectively for tax years beginning after January 1, 2008. Article 3 of Circular 2 states that in respect of transfer pricing administration, relevant tax authorities shall examine business transactions between enterprises and their related parties (“related-party transactions”) and evaluate whether they are conducted on an arm’s-length basis, in addition to conducting investigations and making adjustments, as required under the CIT Law and Article 36 of the PRC Tax Administration and Collection Law (“Tax Collection Law”).

The significant uncertain tax position arose from the transfer pricing between Nova Dongguan and Nova Macao, wherein the Company determined that the gross profit generated by Nova Dongguan from sales to Nova Macao was materially different from profits generated from sales to third parties. The statute of limitations for transfer pricing issues is 10 years from the tax year in which the transfer pricing issue arises pursuant to PRC tax law.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the amount of unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties (“Gross UTB”) for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

   
Gross UTB
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Beginning balance at January 1
  $ 2,189,194     $ 1,346,203  
                 
Increase in unrecorded tax benefits taken in current year
    1,373,704       771,976  
                 
Exchange rate adjustment
    146,231       71,015  
                 
Ending balance at December 31
  $ 3,709,129     $ 2,189,194  

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had cumulatively accrued approximately $310,000 and $175,000 for estimated interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions as a component of income tax expense, which totaled approximately $135,000 and $175,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. If the entire unrecognized tax benefits were recognized as of December 31, 2011, it would affect the Company's effective tax rate. The Company anticipates no significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.

The tax returns of the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are subject to examination by the relevant PRC tax authorities. According to the Tax Collection Law, the statute of limitations for underpayment of taxes is three years if the underpayment is due to computational errors made by the taxpayer or the withholding agent. Under special circumstances, the statute of limitations is extended to five years if the underpayment of taxes is more than RMB 100,000. In accordance with the Implementation Regulations of the CIT Law, the statute of limitations in the case of transfer pricing issues is ten years. There is no statute of limitations in the case of tax evasion.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition.” Sales revenue is recognized when a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed and no other significant obligations of the Company exist and collectability is reasonably assured. No revenue is recognized if there are significant uncertainties regarding the recovery of the consideration due, or the possible return of the goods. Payments received before all of the relevant criteria for revenue recognition are recorded as unearned revenue.

Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of value-added taxes (“VAT”). All of the Company’s products sold in China are subject to the PRC VAT of 17% of the gross sales price. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials purchased in China and included in the cost of producing the finished product. The Company records VAT payable and VAT receivable net of payments in the consolidated financial statements. The VAT tax return is filed offsetting the payables against the receivables. Sales and purchases are recorded net of VAT collected and paid as the Company acts as an agent for the government.

Franchise Arrangements

In 2010, the Company began entering into area product franchise agreements with customers who operate specialty furniture stores carrying only Nova-branded products. The product franchise agreement provides for the franchisee to retail Nova-brand furniture products for a period of one year from the date of the agreement. The franchisee is required to pay a deposit of RMB 30,000 at the signing of the agreement, which is used as payment for future purchases and is deferred on the Company’s balance sheet as a customer deposit. The franchisee is required to guarantee a minimum purchase amount from the Company during the contract period. The Company has the right to terminate the agreement should the franchisee fail to meet the minimum purchase amounts. The Company provides the franchisee with store images and designs, signage, floor plan product information and training. In addition, the Company will rebate a per square meter subsidy to the franchisee for the store build-out within six months from the agreement date. The franchisee earns 30% of the rebate on its initial purchase from the Company and then at a rate of 5% of each subsequent purchase until fully refunded or six months from the agreement date, whichever is earlier. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had franchising subsidy payable of $187,758 and $121,914, respectively. In accordance with ASC 605-50, as the Company does not receive an identifiable benefit from these rebates, the rebates are recorded as a reduction of revenue on sales to the franchisee.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales consists primarily of material costs, labor costs and related overhead that are directly attributable to the production of the products. Write-down of inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value is also recorded in the cost of sales.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs related to delivery of finished goods are included in selling expenses. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, shipping and handling costs were $485,069 and $559,425, respectively.

Advertising

Advertising expenses consist primarily of costs of promotion and marketing for the Company’s image and products, and costs of direct advertising. The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense was $455,571 and $23,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Earnings per Share (EPS)

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed similar to basic net income per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all the potential common shares, warrants and stock options had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. Diluted earnings per share are based on the assumption that all dilutive convertible shares and stock options and warrants were converted or exercised. Dilution is computed by applying the treasury stock method for the outstanding options and warrants, and the if-converted method for the outstanding convertible instruments. Under the treasury stock method, options and warrants are assumed to be exercised at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later) and as if funds obtained thereby were used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. Under the if-converted method, outstanding convertible instruments are assumed to be converted into common stock at the beginning of the period (or at the time of issuance, if later).

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
  $ 5,365,165     $ 4,203,009  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
    14,506,915       9,685,000  
Effect of dilutive securities:
               
Unexercised warrants and options
    190,291       -  
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
    14,697,206       9,685,000  
                 
Earnings per share - basic
  $ 0.37     $ 0.43  
Earnings per share - diluted
  $ 0.37     $ 0.43  

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had no options to purchase shares of common stock outstanding and warrants to purchase 899,480 and 0 shares of common stock were outstanding and exercisable, respectively (see Note 15).

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of the financial condition and payment practices of its customers to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.

One and two major customers accounted for 24% and 64% (43% and 21% for each) of the Company’s sales for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Accounts receivable from these customers amounted to $1,953,305 and $1,279,359 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The Company purchased its products from three and one major vendor during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, accounting for 31% (11%, 10% and 10% for each) and 23% of the purchases, respectively. Accounts payable to these vendors were $1,934,561 and $0 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The operations of the Company are located principally in China. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in China, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy.

The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in the North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments in China and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in PRC government policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.


The Company’s sales, purchase and expense transactions in China and Macao are denominated in Chinese Yuan Renminbi (“RMB”) and Macau Pataca (“MOP”) (prior to 2011), respectively, and all of the assets and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries in China and Macao are also denominated in RMB and MOP (prior to 2011), respectively. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to affect the remittance.

Statement of Cash Flows

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 230, “Statement of Cash Flows,” cash flows from the Company’s operations is calculated based upon local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Some of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debt, have carrying amounts that approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines fair value and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC Topic 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in USD. The functional currency of Nova LifeStyle, Nova Furniture, Nova Macao and Diamond Bar is the United States Dollar (“$” or “USD”). The functional currency of Nova Dongguan and Nova Museum is RMB, and, prior to 2011, the functional currency of Nova Macao was MOP. The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into USD for balance sheet accounts using the current exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using the weighted-average exchange rate during the fiscal year. The translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, captioned “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in “Other income (expenses)” in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. There have been no significant fluctuations in the exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD or MOP to USD after the balance sheet date.

The RMB to USD exchange rates in effect as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, were RMB6.3009 = USD$1.00 and RMB6.6227 = USD$1.00, respectively. The weighted-average RMB to USD exchange rates in effect for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, were RMB6.4588 = USD$1.00 and RMB6.7695 = USD$1.00, respectively. The exchange rates used in translation from RMB to USD were published by the People’s Bank of the People’s Republic of China.

The MOP to USD exchange rate in effect as of December 31, 2010, was MOP8.1633 = USD$1.00. The weighted-average MOP to USD exchange rate in effect for the year ended December 31, 2010, was MOP8.1566 = USD$1.00. The exchange rates used in translation from MOP to USD were published by OANDA Rates.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company follows FASB ASC 220 “Reporting Comprehensive Income.” Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders. Comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, included net income and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Segment Reporting

ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company.

Management determined that the Company’s operations constitute a single reportable segment in accordance with ASC 280. The Company operates exclusively in one business and industry segment: the design, manufacture and sale of furniture. All of the Company’s long-lived assets for production are located at its facilities in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China, and operate within the same environmental, safety and quality regulations governing furniture manufacturers. The Company established Nova Macao, and acquired Diamond Bar for the purpose of marketing and selling the Company’s products. As a result, management views the business and operations of Nova Dongguan, Nova Macao and Diamond Bar as a blended gross margin when determining future growth, return on investment and cash flows. Nova Museum, a non-profit organization engaged principally in the promotion and dissemination of the culture and history of furniture in China, has no operations or substantial assets other than its decorations and renovation, and its heritage and cultural assets are for the purpose of exhibition only.

Accordingly, management concluded that the Company had one reportable segment under ASC 280 because: (i) the Company’s products sold through Nova Dongguan, Nova Macao and Diamond Bar are created with similar production processes, in the same facilities, under the same regulatory environment and sold to similar customers using similar distribution systems; (ii) Diamond Bar is a U.S. furniture distributor based in California but operates under the same senior management of Nova Dongguan and Nova Macao, and management views the operations of Nova Dongguan, Nova Macao and Diamond Bar as a whole for making business decisions; and (iii) although Nova Museum is principally engaged in the dissemination of the culture and history of furniture in China, it also serves a function of promoting and marketing the Company’s image and products by providing a platform and channel for consumers to be exposed to the Company and its products, it is operated under the same management with the same resources and in the same location as Nova Dongguan, and it is an additive and supplemental unit to the Company’s main operations, the manufacture and sale of furniture.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment. ASU No. 2011-08 allows entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If greater than 50 percent likelihood exists that the fair value is less than the carrying amount then a two-step goodwill impairment test as described in Topic 350 must be performed. The guidance provided by this update becomes effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In December 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 defers the requirement that a company present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. No other requirement in ASU No. 2011-05 is affected by ASU No. 2011-12, including the requirement to report comprehensive income either in a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. Public entities should apply these requirements for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In December 2010, FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations. The amendments in this update specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments in this update are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company adopted the disclosure requirements for the business combinations in 2011.

As of December 31, 2011, there are no other recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted that would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.