Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base these estimates on historical experience, the current economic environment and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, uncertainties associated with these estimates exist and actual results may differ from these estimates.

Cash and Equivalents—We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts—Accounts receivable is reported in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets adjusted for any write-offs and net of allowances for doubtful accounts. The allowances for doubtful accounts represent management’s best estimate of the credit losses expected from our trade accounts, contract and financing receivable portfolios. Determination of the allowances requires management to exercise judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of credit losses that could materially affect the provision for credit losses and, therefore, net earnings. We regularly perform detailed reviews of our portfolios to determine if an impairment has occurred and evaluate the collectability of receivables based on a combination of financial and qualitative factors that may affect customers’ ability to pay, including customers’ financial condition, collateral, debt-servicing ability, past payment experience and credit bureau information. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific reserve is recorded against amounts due to reduce the recognized receivable to the amount reasonably expected to be collected. Additions to the allowances for doubtful accounts are charged to current period earnings, amounts determined to be uncollectible are charged directly against the allowances, while amounts recovered on previously written-off accounts increase the allowances. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional reserves would be required. We do not believe that accounts receivable represent significant concentrations of credit risk because of the diversified portfolio of individual customers and geographical areas. We recorded $64 million, $49 million and $38 million of expense associated with doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 are $278 million and $263 million of net aggregate financing receivables, respectively. Financing receivables are evaluated for impairment collectively in broad groupings that represent homogeneous portfolios based on the underlying nature and risks.

Inventory Valuation—Inventories include the costs of material, labor and overhead. Domestic inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value primarily using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method with certain businesses applying the last-in, first-out method (“LIFO”) to value inventory. Inventories held outside the United States are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value primarily using the FIFO method.

Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. The provision for depreciation has been computed principally by the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets as follows:



Category		Useful Life
Buildings		30 years
Leased assets and leasehold improvements		Amortized over the lesser of the economic life of the asset or the term of the lease
Machinery and equipment		3 – 10 years

Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, when appropriate, changes to estimates are made prospectively. Amortization of capital lease assets is included in depreciation expense as a component of Selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Equity Method Investments—Investments and ownership interests are accounted for under equity method accounting if we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but don’t have a controlling financial interest. We record our interest in the net earnings of our equity method investees within Other non-operating expenses, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. We record our interest in the net earnings of our equity method investments based on the most recently available financial statements of the investees.

The carrying amount of the investment in equity interests is adjusted to reflect our interest in net earnings and dividends received. We review the investments for impairment whenever factors indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. In such a case, the decrease in value is recognized in the period the impairment occurs in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

Other Assets—Other assets principally include noncurrent financing receivables, contract assets, deferred tax assets, and other investments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—Our financial instruments consist primarily of accounts receivable and obligations under trade accounts payable and short and long-term debt. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying values for accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, and short-term debt approximate fair value. Refer to Note 8 for the fair values of our other obligations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—Goodwill and other intangible assets result from our acquisition of existing businesses. In accordance with accounting standards related to business combinations, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized; however, certain definite-lived identifiable intangible assets, primarily customer relationships and acquired technology, are amortized over their estimated useful lives. In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) is initially capitalized at fair value and when the IPR&D project is complete, the asset is considered a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized over its estimated useful life. If an IPR&D project is abandoned, an impairment loss equal to the value of the intangible asset is recorded in the period of abandonment. We review identified intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We also test intangible assets with indefinite lives and goodwill at least annually for impairment. Refer to Note 3 and Note 7 for additional information about our goodwill and other intangible assets.

Revenue Recognition—As described above, we derive revenues primarily from the sale of Professional Instrumentation and Industrial Technologies products and services. Revenue is recognized when control of promised products or services is transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those products or services.

Product Sales include revenues from the sale of products and equipment, which includes our software as a service product offerings and equipment rentals.

Service Sales include revenues from extended warranties, post-contract customer support, maintenance contracts or services, contract labor to perform ongoing service at a customer location, and services related to previously sold products.

For revenue related to a product or service to qualify for recognition, we must have an enforceable contract with a customer that defines the goods or services to be transferred and the payment terms related to those goods or services. Further, collection of substantially all consideration for the goods or services transferred must be probable based on the customer’s intent and ability to pay the promised consideration. We apply judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay, which is based on a combination of financial and qualitative factors, including the customer’s financial condition, collateral, debt-servicing ability, past payment experience, and credit bureau information.

Customer allowances and rebates, consisting primarily of volume discounts and other short-term incentive programs, are considered in determining the transaction price for the contract; these allowances and rebates are reflected as a reduction in the

contract transaction price. Significant judgment is exercised in determining product returns, customer allowances, and rebates, and are estimated based on historical experience and known trends.

Most of our sales contracts contain standard terms and conditions. We evaluate contracts to identify distinct goods and services promised in the contract (performance obligations). Sometimes this evaluation involves judgment to determine whether the goods or services are highly dependent on or highly interrelated with one another, or whether such goods or services significantly modify or customize one another. Certain customer arrangements include multiple performance obligations, typically hardware, installation, training, consulting, services and/or post contract support (“PCS”). Generally, these elements are delivered within the same reporting period, except PCS or other services. We allocate the contract transaction price to each performance obligation using the observable price that the good or service sells for separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers, and/or a residual approach when the observable selling price of a good or service is not known and is either highly variable or uncertain. Allocating the transaction price to each performance obligation sometimes requires significant judgment.

Our principal terms of sale are FOB Shipping Point, or equivalent, and, as such, we primarily record revenue upon shipment as we have transferred control to the customer at that point and our performance obligations are satisfied. We evaluate contracts with delivery terms other than FOB Shipping Point and recognize revenue when we have transferred control and satisfied our performance obligations. If any significant obligation to the customer with respect to a sales transaction remains to be fulfilled following shipment (typically installation, other services noted above, or acceptance by the customer), revenue recognition is deferred until such obligations have been fulfilled. Further, revenue related to separately priced extended warranty and product maintenance agreements is deferred when appropriate and recognized as revenue over the term of the agreement.

Shipping and Handling—Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Revenue derived from shipping and handling costs billed to customers is included in Sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Advertising—Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Research and Development—We conduct research and development activities for the purpose of developing new products, enhancing the functionality, effectiveness, ease of use, and reliability of our existing products and expanding the applications for which uses of our products are appropriate. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Restructuring—We periodically initiate restructuring activities to appropriately position our cost base relative to prevailing economic conditions and associated customer demand, as well as in connection with certain acquisitions. Costs associated with restructuring actions can include one-time termination benefits and related charges in addition to facility closure, contract termination and other related activities. We record the cost of the restructuring activities when the associated liability is incurred. Refer to Note 15 for additional information.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions—Exchange rate adjustments resulting from foreign currency transactions are recognized in Net earnings, whereas effects resulting from the translation of financial statements are reflected as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within Stockholders’ equity. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries operating outside the United States with a functional currency other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars using year end exchange rates and income statement accounts are translated at weighted average exchange rates. Net foreign currency transaction gains or losses were not material in any of the years presented.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—We account for stock-based compensation by measuring the cost of employee services received in exchange for all equity awards granted, including stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance stock units (“PSUs”), based on the fair value of the award as of the grant date. Equity-based compensation expense is recognized net of an estimated forfeiture rate on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, except that in the case of RSUs, compensation expense is recognized using an accelerated attribution method. Refer to Note 17 for additional information on the stock-based compensation plans.

Income Taxes—In accordance with GAAP, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in our tax return in future years for which the tax benefit has already been reflected on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent items that have already been taken as a deduction on our tax return but have not yet been recognized as an expense in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

Our deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We evaluate the realizability of deferred income tax assets for each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. If we experience cumulative pretax income in a particular jurisdiction in the three-year period including the current and prior two years, we normally conclude that the deferred income tax assets will more likely than not be realizable and no valuation allowance is recognized, unless known or planned operating developments would lead management to conclude otherwise. However, if we experience cumulative pretax losses in a particular jurisdiction in the three-year period including the current and prior two years, we then consider a series of factors in the determination of whether the deferred income tax assets can be realized. These factors include historical operating results, known or planned operating developments, the period of time over which certain temporary differences will reverse, consideration of the utilization of certain deferred income tax liabilities, tax law carryback capability in the particular country, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. After evaluation of these factors, if the deferred income tax assets are expected to be realized within the tax carryforward period allowed for that specific country, we would conclude that no valuation allowance would be required. To the extent that the deferred income tax assets exceed the amount that is expected to be realized within the tax carryforward period for a particular jurisdiction, we establish a valuation allowance.

We recognize tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Judgment is required in evaluating tax positions and determining income tax provisions. We reevaluate the technical merits of our tax positions and may recognize an uncertain tax benefit in certain circumstances, including when: (1) a tax audit is completed; (2) applicable tax laws change, including a tax case ruling or legislative guidance; or (3) the applicable statute of limitations expires. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. Refer to Note 14 for additional information.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Foreign currency translation adjustments are generally not adjusted for income taxes as they relate to indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. We have designated our Euro-denominated commercial paper and ¥13.8 billion senior unsecured term facility loan as net investment hedges of our investment in certain foreign operations. Accordingly, foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the debt are deferred in the foreign currency translation component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) as an offset to the foreign currency translation adjustments on our investments in foreign subsidiaries. We recognized gains of $5.7 million and $9.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and losses of $18.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 in Other comprehensive income (loss) related to the net investment hedges. Any amounts deferred in AOCI will remain until the hedged investment is sold or substantially liquidated. The Company recorded no ineffectiveness from its net investment hedges during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017.

The changes in AOCI by component are summarized below ($ in millions):



	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Pension & post- retirement plan benefit adjustments ^(b)				Total
Balance, January 1, 2017	$	(72.6	)	$	(73.2	)		$	(145.8	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Increase (decrease)	136.6			(3.5		)		133.1
Income tax impact	—			0.9				0.9
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes	136.6			(2.6		)		134.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Increase	—			5.5			^(a)	5.5
Income tax impact	—			(1.3		)		(1.3		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:	—			4.2				4.2
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss):	136.6			1.6				138.2
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	64.0		$	(71.6	)		$	(7.6	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Increase (decrease)	(127.3		)	0.3				(127.0		)
Income tax impact	—			(0.2		)		(0.2		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes	(127.3		)	0.1				(127.2		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Increase	—			4.3			^(a)	4.3
Income tax impact	—			(0.8		)		(0.8		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	—			3.5				3.5
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(127.3		)	3.6				(123.7		)
Divestiture of A&S Business	34.0			10.7				44.7
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	(29.3	)	$	(57.3	)		$	(86.6	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Increase (decrease)	50.5			(29.8		)		20.7
Income tax impact	—			7.3				7.3
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of income taxes	50.5			(22.5		)		28.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Increase	—			3.1			^(a)	3.1
Income tax impact	—			(0.8		)		(0.8		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:	—			2.3				2.3
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	50.5			(20.2		)		30.3
Balance, December 31, 2019	$	21.2		$	(77.5	)		$	(56.3	)

^(a) This component of AOCI is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (refer to Note 12 for additional details) and also includes activity related to the divestiture of the A&S Business.
^(b)Includes balances relating to employee defined benefit plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, and other postretirement employee benefit plans.

Pension—We measure our pension assets and obligations to determine the funded status as of December 31st each year, and recognize an asset for an overfunded status or a liability for an underfunded status in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the funded status of the pension plans are recognized in the year in which the changes occur and are reported in Other comprehensive income (loss). Refer to Note 12 for additional information on our pension plans including a discussion of actuarial assumptions, our policy for recognizing associated gains and losses, and the method used to estimate service and interest cost components.

New Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which amends the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. This standard was effective for us beginning January 1, 2020. Upon adoption of this standard, we expect to record an adjustment to beginning retained earnings that largely represents expected losses on our trade accounts receivables, financing receivables, and unbilled receivables in contract assets that have not aged to a date that could indicate an incurred loss. We do not expect this standard to have material impacts on our future results of operations.