Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (“VMS”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) designs, manufactures, sells and services hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. The Company also designs, manufactures, sells and services X-ray imaging components for use in a range of applications, including radiographic or fluoroscopic imaging, mammography, specific procedures, computed tomography and industrial applications. In addition, the Company designs, manufactures, sells and services linear accelerators, image processing software and image detection products for security and inspection purposes. The Company also develops, designs, manufactures, sells and services proton therapy products and systems for cancer treatment. Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2013 (the “2013 Annual Report”). In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements herein include adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 28, 2014 and September 27, 2013, results of operations and statements of comprehensive earnings for the three and six months ended March 28, 2014 and March 29, 2013, and cash flows for the six months ended March 28, 2014 and March 29, 2013. The results of operations for the three and six months ended March 28, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any future period. Segment Reporting During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company changed its organizational structure resulting in a change in operating and reportable segments. The Company’s operations are grouped into two reportable operating segments: Oncology Systems and Imaging Components. The Company’s Ginzton Technology Center (“GTC”) and Varian Particle Therapy (“VPT”) businesses are reflected in the “Other” category because these operating segments do not meet the criteria of a reportable operating segment. Refer to Note 17, “Segment Information.” Reclassifications Certain items in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported total revenues, total cost of revenues and net earnings. Fiscal Year The fiscal years of the Company as reported are the 52- or 53- week periods ending on the Friday nearest September 30. Fiscal year 2014 is the 52-week period ending September 26, 2014, and fiscal year 2013 was the 52-week period that ended on September 27, 2013. The fiscal quarters ended March 28, 2014 and March 29, 2013 were both 13-week periods. Principles of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements include those of VMS and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances, transactions and stock holdings have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (“VMS”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) designs, manufactures, sells and services hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. The Company also designs, manufactures, sells and services X-ray imaging components for use in a range of applications, including radiographic or fluoroscopic imaging, mammography, specific procedures, computed tomography and industrial applications. In addition, the Company designs, manufactures, sells and services linear accelerators, image processing software and image detection products for security and inspection purposes. The Company also develops, designs, manufactures, sells and services proton therapy products and systems for cancer treatment.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 27, 2013 (the “2013 Annual Report”). In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements herein include adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 28, 2014 and September 27, 2013, results of operations and statements of comprehensive earnings for the three and six months ended March 28, 2014 and March 29, 2013, and cash flows for the six months ended March 28, 2014 and March 29, 2013. The results of operations for the three and six months ended March 28, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any future period.

Segment Reporting

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company changed its organizational structure resulting in a change in operating and reportable segments. The Company’s operations are grouped into two reportable operating segments: Oncology Systems and Imaging Components. The Company’s Ginzton Technology Center (“GTC”) and Varian Particle Therapy (“VPT”) businesses are reflected in the “Other” category because these operating segments do not meet the criteria of a reportable operating segment. Refer to Note 17, “Segment Information.”

Reclassifications

Certain items in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported total revenues, total cost of revenues and net earnings.

Fiscal Year

The fiscal years of the Company as reported are the 52- or 53- week periods ending on the Friday nearest September 30. Fiscal year 2014 is the 52-week period ending September 26, 2014, and fiscal year 2013 was the 52-week period that ended on September 27, 2013. The fiscal quarters ended March 28, 2014 and March 29, 2013 were both 13-week periods.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include those of VMS and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances, transactions and stock holdings have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.