Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1—Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business—The Company operates in the fastener industry and is in the business of producing and selling rivets, cold-formed fasteners and parts, screw machine products, automatic rivet setting machines and parts and tools for such machines.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies follows:

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, H & L Tool Company, Inc. (H & L Tool).  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition—Revenues from product sales are recognized upon shipment and an allowance is provided for estimated returns and discounts based on experience.  Cash received by the Company prior to shipment is recorded as deferred revenue.  The Company experiences a certain degree of sales returns that varies over time.  The Company is able to make a reasonable estimation of expected sales returns based upon history.  The Company records all shipping and handling fees billed to customers as revenue, and related costs as cost of sales, when incurred.

Credit Risk—The Company extends credit on the basis of terms that are customary within our markets to various companies doing business primarily in the automotive industry.  The Company has a concentration of credit risk primarily within the automotive industry and in the Midwestern United States.  The Company has established an allowance for accounts that may become uncollectible in the future.  This estimated allowance is based primarily on management's evaluation of the financial condition of the customer and historical experience.  The Company monitors its accounts receivable and charges to expense an amount equal to its estimate of potential credit losses.  The Company considers a number of factors in determining its estimates, including the length of time its trade accounts receivable are past due, the Company's previous loss history and the customer's current ability to pay its obligation.  Accounts receivable balances are charged off against the allowance when it is determined that the receivable will not be recovered.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments, including certificates of deposit, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  The Company maintains cash on deposit in several financial institutions.  At times, the account balances may be in excess of FDIC insured limits.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value based on their short term nature.

Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method. 

Property, Plant and Equipment—Properties are stated at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes.  Accelerated methods of depreciation are used for income tax purposes.  Direct costs related to developing or obtaining software for internal use are capitalized as property and equipment.  Capitalized software costs are amortized over the software’s useful life when the software is placed in service.  The estimated useful lives by asset category are:

Asset Category	Estimated Useful Life
Land improvements……………..	15 to 25 years
Buildings and improvements……	10 to 35 years
Machinery and equipment………	7 to 15 years
Capitalized software costs………	3 to 5 years
Other equipment…………………	3 to 15 years

The Company reviews the carrying value of property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition.  In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of assets.  There was no impairment as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

When properties are retired or sold, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss on disposition is recognized in current operations.  Maintenance, repairs and minor betterments that do not improve the related asset or extend its useful life are charged to operations as incurred.

Income Taxes—Deferred income taxes are determined under the asset and liability method.  Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the income tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.

The Company applies a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions.  In the first step of the two-step process, the Company evaluates the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any.  In the second step, the Company measures the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.  As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company determined that there are no uncertain tax positions with a more than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.

The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  There were no such expenses in 2011.

The Company’s federal income tax returns for the 2008 through 2010 tax years are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).   While it may be possible that a reduction could occur with respect to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits as an outcome of an IRS examination, management does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

No statutes have been extended on any of the Company’s federal income tax filings. The statute of limitations on the Company’s 2008, 2009 and 2010 federal income tax returns will expire on September 15, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The Company’s state income tax returns for the 2008 through 2010 tax years are subject to examination by various state authorities with the latest closing period on October 31, 2014.  The Company is currently not under examination by any state authority for income tax purposes and no statutes for state income tax filings have been extended.

Segment Information—The Company reports segment information based on the internal structure and reporting of the Company’s operations.

Net Income Per Share—Net income per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding of 966,132 in 2011 and 2010.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.  Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include deferred taxes and valuation allowances for accounts receivable and inventory obsolescence.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications—Certain items in 2010 have been reclassified to conform to the presentation in 2011.  These changes have no effect on the results of operations or the financial position of the Company.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements—In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and IFRS”,  (“ASU 2011-04”). These amendments, effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011 (early adoption is prohibited), result in common definition of fair value and common requirements for measurement of and disclosure requirements between US GAAP and IFRS.  ASU 2011-04 clarifies or changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for Level 3 fair value measurements.  The adoption of ASU 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operation.