Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

References in this document to the “Company,” “Chesapeake Utilities,” “we,” “us” and “our” are intended to mean Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, its divisions and/or its subsidiaries, as appropriate in the context of the disclosure.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and GAAP. In accordance with these rules and regulations, certain information and disclosures normally required for audited financial statements have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect normal recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

Due to the seasonality of our business, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year. Revenue and earnings are typically greater during the first and fourth quarters, when consumption of energy is highest due to colder temperatures.

We have revised the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to reflect only property, plant and equipment expenditures paid in cash within the Investing Activities section. The non-cash expenditures previously included in that section have now been included in the change in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities amount within the Operating Activities section. These revisions are considered immaterial to the overall presentation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FASB Statements and Other Authoritative Pronouncements

FASB Statements and Other Authoritative Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Inventory (ASC 330) - In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under this guidance, inventories are required to be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value represents the estimated selling price less costs associated with completion, disposal and transportation. We adopted ASU 2015-11 on January 1, 2017 on a prospective basis. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Recent Accounting Standards Yet to be Adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) - In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This standard provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers to improve comparability within industries, as well as across industries and capital markets. The standard contains principles that entities will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and when it is recognized. In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. For public entities, this standard is effective for interim and annual financial statements issued beginning January 1, 2018.

In preparation for the adoption of this standard, we have analyzed our existing businesses and revenue streams and have prepared a preliminary gap analysis between our current revenue policies and the requirements under the new revenue recognition standard. We are in the process of evaluating each revenue stream under the new standard, expanding the contract sampling, creating new policies and evaluating the enhanced disclosure requirements. We will provide additional training to our employees and develop processes and system changes associated with the implementation of the new standard, and we will then implement the standard. We plan to utilize the modified retrospective transition method upon adoption of this standard.

Based on our assessment, we do not believe the new standard will impact the recognition of revenue from a majority of our customers. However, we have just begun to evaluate our long-term special contracts, and may find facts and circumstances in those contracts that could impact the timing of the recognition of revenue. As we continue to execute our plan related to this standard, we will be in a better position to quantify the full impact of this standard.

Leases (ASC 842) - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which provides updated guidance regarding accounting for leases. This update requires a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than 12 months on its balance sheet. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. This update will be applied using the modified retrospective transition method for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We are evaluating the effect this update may have on our financial position and results of operations.

Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230) - In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of the adoption of this ASU on our statements of cash flows.

Intangibles-Goodwill (ASC 350) - In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. The amendments included in this ASU are to be applied prospectively. We are evaluating the effect of this ASU on our financial position and results of operations.

Compensation-Retirement Benefits (ASC 715) - In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post Retirement Benefit Cost. Under this guidance employers are required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit costs are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. The update allows for capitalization of the service cost component when applicable. ASU 2017-07 will be effective for our annual and interim financial statements beginning January 1, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. The presentation of the service cost and other components in this update are to be applied retrospectively and the capitalization of the service cost is to be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. We are evaluating the effect of this update on our financial position and results of operations.