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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Consolidation
Consolidation:  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Akorn, Inc. and its wholly-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries.  All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation, and the financial statements of Akorn India Private Limited ("AIPL") and Akorn AG (formerly "Excelvision AG" also referred to as "Hettlingen") have been translated from Indian Rupees and Swiss Francs, respectively, to U.S. Dollars based on the currency translation rates in effect either during the period or as of the date of consolidation, as applicable.
Use of Estimates
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 materially from those estimates.

Significant estimates and assumptions for the Company may relate to the allowances for chargebacks, rebates and administrative fees, product returns, coupons, promotions and doubtful accounts, as well as the reserve for slow-moving and obsolete inventories, the carrying value and lives of intangible assets, the useful lives of fixed assets, the carrying value of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, the assumptions underlying share-based compensation, accrued but unreported employee benefit costs and assumptions underlying the accounting for business combinations.
Going Concern
Going Concern: In connection with the preparation of the financial statements as of and for the nine month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company conducted an evaluation as to whether there were conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, which raised substantial doubt as to the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date of the issuance, or the date of availability, of the financial statements to be issued, noting that there did not appear to be evidence of substantial doubt of the entity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition:  Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue from product sales is recognized when title and risk of loss have passed to the customer.
 
Provision for estimated chargebacks, rebates, discounts, managed care rebates, product returns and doubtful accounts is made at the time of sale and is analyzed and adjusted, if necessary, at each balance sheet date.

Freight
Freight:  The Company records amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling as revenue, and records shipping and handling expense related to product sales as cost of sales.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all unrestricted, highly liquid investments with maturity of three months or less when acquired, to be cash and cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable: Trade accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value.  The nature of the Company’s business involves, in the ordinary course, significant judgments and estimates relating to chargebacks, coupon redemption, product returns, rebates, discounts given to customers and allowances for doubtful accounts.  Depending on the products, the customers, the specific terms of national supply contracts and the particular arrangements with the Company’s wholesaler customers, rebates, chargebacks and other credits are recorded as deductions to the Company’s trade accounts receivable.

Unless otherwise noted, the provisions and allowances for the following customer deductions are reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as reductions of revenues and trade accounts receivable, respectively.
Chargebacks and Rebates, Administrative Fees and Others
Chargebacks: The Company enters into contractual agreements with certain third parties such as retailers, hospitals, group-purchasing organizations (“GPOs”) and managed care organizations to sell certain products at predetermined prices. Similarly, we maintain an allowance for rebates and discounts related to billbacks, wholesaler fee for service contracts, GPO administrative fees, government programs, prompt payment and other adjustments with certain customers. Most of the parties have elected to have these contracts administered through wholesalers that buy the product from the Company and subsequently sell it to these third parties. As noted elsewhere, these wholesalers represent a significant percentage of the Company’s gross sales. When a wholesaler sells products to one of these third parties that are subject to a contractual price agreement, the difference between the price paid to the Company by the wholesaler and the price under the specific contract is charged back to the Company by the wholesaler. This process typically takes four to six weeks, but for some products may extend to twelve weeks. The Company tracks sales and submitted chargebacks by product number and contract for each wholesaler. Utilizing this information, the Company estimates a chargeback percentage for each product and records an allowance as a reduction to gross sales when the Company records its sale of the products. The Company reduces the chargeback allowance when a chargeback request from a wholesaler is processed. Actual chargebacks processed by the Company can vary materially from period to period based upon actual sales volume through the wholesalers. However, the Company’s provision for chargebacks is fully reserved for at the time revenues are recognized.
 
Management obtains product inventory reports from certain wholesalers to aid in analyzing the reasonableness of the chargeback allowance and to monitor whether wholesaler inventory levels do not significantly exceed customer demand. The Company assesses the reasonableness of its chargeback allowance by applying a product chargeback percentage that is based on a combination of historical activity and future price and mix expectations to the quantities of inventory on hand at the wholesalers according to wholesaler inventory reports. In addition, the Company estimates the percent of gross sales generated through direct and indirect sales channels and the percent of contract vs. non-contract revenue in the period, as these each affect the estimated reserve calculation. In accordance with its accounting policy, the Company also estimates the percent of wholesaler inventory that will ultimately be sold to third parties that are subject to contractual price agreements based on a trend of such sales through wholesalers. The Company uses this percentage estimate until historical trends indicate that a revision should be made. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its actual chargeback rate experience, and new trends are factored into its estimates each quarter as market conditions change.

For the three month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred a chargeback provision of $236.7 million, or 40.4% of gross sales of $586.4 million, compared to $347.1 million, or 44.1% of gross sales of $787.8 million in the prior year period. We note that the dollar decrease and percent decrease in the comparative period was the result of gross sales decreases and product mix shifts to products with lower chargeback expense percentages. The Company ensures that this rate as a percent of gross sales is reasonable through inspection of contractual obligations, review of historical trends and evaluation of recent activity. Furthermore, other events that could materially alter chargeback rates include: changes in product pricing as a result of competitive market dynamics or negotiations with customers, changes in demand for specific products due to external factors such as competitor supply position or consumer preferences, customer shifts in buying patterns from direct to indirect through wholesalers, which could either individually or in aggregate increase or decrease the chargeback rate depending on the direction and velocity of the change(s).

To better understand the impact of changes in chargeback reserve based on circumstances that are not fully outside the Company’s control, for instance, the ratio of sales subject to chargeback to indirect sales, the Company performs a sensitivity analysis. Holding all other assumptions constant, for a 470 basis point (“BP”) change in the ratio of sales subject to chargeback to indirect sales would increase the chargeback reserve by $0.5 million or decrease the chargeback reserve by $2.7 million depending on the change in the direction of the ratio. Fundamentally, the BP change calculation is determined based on the six month trend of the average ratio of sales subject to chargeback to indirect sales. Due to the competitive generic pharmaceutical industry and our recent experience with wholesalers’ strategy and shifts in contracted and non-contracted indirect sales, we believe that the six month trend of the proportion of direct to indirect sales provides a representative basis for sensitivity analysis.
 
Rebates, Administrative Fees and Others: The Company maintains an allowance for rebates, administrative fees and others, related to contracts and other rebate programs that it has in place with certain customers. Rebates, administrative fees and other percentages vary by product and by volume purchased by each eligible customer. The Company tracks sales by product number for each eligible customer and then applies the applicable rebate, administrative fees and other percentage, using both historical trends and actual experience to estimate its rebates, administrative fees and others allowances. The Company reduces gross sales and increases the rebates, administrative fees and others allowance by the estimated rebates, administrative fees and others amounts when the Company sells its products to eligible customers. The Company reduces the rebate allowance when it processes a customer request for a rebate. At each balance sheet date, the Company analyzes the allowance for rebates, administrative fees and others against actual rebates processed and makes adjustments as appropriate. The amount of actual rebates processed can vary materially from period to period as discussed below.
 
The allowances for rebates, administrative fees and others further takes into consideration price adjustments which are credits issued to reflect increases or decreases in the invoice or contract prices of the Company’s products. In the case of a price decrease, a shelf-stock adjustment credit may be given for product remaining in customer’s inventories at the time of the price reduction. Contractual price protection results in a similar credit when the invoice or contract prices of the Company’s products increase, effectively allowing customers to purchase products at previous prices for a specified period of time. Amounts recorded for estimated shelf-stock adjustments and price protections are based upon specified terms with direct customers, estimated changes in market prices, and estimates of inventory held by customers. The Company regularly monitors these and other factors and evaluates the reserve as additional information becomes available.

Similar to rebates, the reserve for administrative fees and others represents those amounts processed related to contracts and other fee programs which have been in place with certain entities, but they are settled through cash payment to these entities and accordingly are accounted for as a current liability. Otherwise, administrative fees and others operate similarly to rebates.

For the three month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred a rebates, administrative fees and others provision of $127.9 million, or 21.8% of gross sales of $586.4 million, compared to $130.4 million, or 16.6% of gross sales of $787.8 million in the prior year period. We note that the dollar decrease and percent increase from the comparative period was the result of gross sales decreases and product mix shifts to products with higher rebates, administrative fees and others expense percentages. The Company ensures that this rate as a percent of gross sales is reasonable through inspection of contractual obligations, review of historical trends and evaluation of recent activity. Furthermore, other events that could materially alter rebates, administrative fees and others rates include: changes in product pricing as a result of competitive market dynamics or negotiations with customers, changes in demand for specific products due to external factors such as competitor supply position or consumer preferences, customer shifts in buying patterns from direct to indirect through wholesalers, which could either individually or in aggregate increase or decrease the rebate rate depending on the direction and velocity of the change(s).

To better understand the impact of changes in reserves for rebates, administrative fees and others based on circumstances that are not fully outside the Company’s control, for instance, the proportion of direct to indirect sales subject to rebates, administrative fees and others, the Company performs a sensitivity analysis. Holding all other assumptions constant, for a 470 BP change in the ratio of sales subject to rebates, administrative fees and others to indirect sales would increase the reserve for rebates, administrative fees and others by $0.1 million or decrease the same reserve by $1.5 million depending on the direction of the change in the ratio. Fundamentally, the BP change calculation is determined based on the six month trend of the average ratio of sales subject to rebates, administrative fees and others to indirect sales. Due to the competitive generic pharmaceutical industry and our recent experience with wholesalers’ strategy and shifts in contracted and non-contracted indirect sales, we believe the six month trend of the average ratio of sales subject to rebates, administrative fees and others to indirect sales provides a representative basis for sensitivity analysis.
  
Sales Returns: Certain of the Company’s products are sold with the customer having the right to return the product within specified periods. Provisions are made at the time of sale based upon historical experience. Historical factors such as one-time recall events as well as pending new developments like comparable product approvals or significant pricing movement that may impact the expected level of returns are taken into account to determine the appropriate reserve estimate at each balance sheet date. As part of the evaluation of the reserve required, the Company considers actual returns to date that are in process, the expected impact of any product recalls and the amount of wholesaler’s inventory to assess the magnitude of unconsumed product that may result in sales returns to the Company in the future. The sales returns level can be impacted by factors such as overall market demand and market competition and availability for substitute products which can increase or decrease the pull through for sales of the Company’s products and ultimately impact the level of sales returns.

For the three month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred a return provision of $6.2 million, or 1.1% of gross sales of $586.4 million, compared to $8.0 million, or 1.0% of gross sales of $787.8 million in the prior year period. We note that the dollar decrease and percent increase in the comparative period was the result of gross sales decreases and product mix shifts to products with higher return rates. The Company ensures that this rate as a percent of gross sales is reasonable through inspection of historical trends and evaluation of recent activity. Furthermore, other events that could materially alter return rates include: acquisitions and integration activities that consolidate dissimilar contract terms and could decrease the return rate as typically the Company purchases smaller entities with less contracting power and integrates those product sales to Akorn contracts; and consumer demand shifts by products, which could either increase or decrease the return rate depending on the product or products specifically demanded and ultimately returned.

To better understand the impact of changes in return reserve based on certain circumstances, the Company performs a sensitivity analysis. Holding all other assumptions constant, for an average 1.0 month change in the lag from the time of sale to the time the product return is processed, this change would result in an increase of $0.9 million or decrease of $0.5 million in return reserve expense if the lag increases or decreases, respectively. The average 1.0 month change in the lag from the time of sale to the time the product return is processed was determined based on the average variances of the last six-month historical activities. Due to the change in the volume and type of products sold by the Company in the recent past, we have determined that the lag calculation provides a reasonable basis for sensitivity analysis.
Allowance for Coupons, Promotions and Co-Pay discount cards
Allowance for Coupons, Promotions and Co-Pay discount cards:   The Company issues coupons from time to time that are redeemable against certain of our Consumer Health products.  Upon release of coupons into the market, the Company records an estimate of the dollar value of coupons expected to be redeemed.  This estimate is based on historical experience and is adjusted as needed based on actual redemptions.  In addition to couponing, from time to time the Company authorizes various retailers to run in-store promotional sales of its products.  Upon receiving confirmation that a promotion was run, the Company accrues an estimate of the dollar amount expected to be owed back to the retailer.  This estimate is then adjusted to actual upon receipt of an invoice from the retailer. Additionally, the Company provides consumer co-pay discount cards, administered through outside agents to provide discounted products when redeemed. Upon release of the cards into the market, the Company records an estimate of the dollar value of co-pay discounts expected to be utilized.  This estimate is based on historical experience and is adjusted as needed based on actual experience.
Doubtful Accounts
Doubtful Accounts: Provisions for doubtful accounts, which reflect trade receivable balances owed to the Company that are believed to be uncollectible, are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. In estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company considers its historical experience with collections and write-offs, the credit quality of its customers and any recent or anticipated changes thereto, and the outstanding balances and past due amounts from its customers. Note that in the ordinary course of business, and consistent with our peers, we may from time to time offer extended payment terms to our customers as an incentive for new product launches or in other circumstances in accordance with standard industry practices. These extended payment terms do not represent a significant risk to the collectability of accounts receivable as of the period-end and are evaluated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605 - Revenue Recognition as applicable. Accounts are considered past due when they remain uncollected beyond the due date specified in the applicable contract or on the applicable invoice, whichever is deemed to take precedence.
Advertising and Promotional Allowances to Customers
Advertising and Promotional Allowances to Customers: The Company routinely sells its over-the-counter Consumer Health products to major retail drug chains.  From time to time, the Company may arrange for these retailers to run in-store promotional sales of the Company’s products.  The Company reserves an estimate of the dollar amount owed back to the retailer for these promotions, recording the amount as a reduction to revenue at the later of the date which the revenue is recognized or the date the sales incentive is offered. When the actual invoice for the sales promotion is received from the retailer, the Company adjusts its estimate accordingly.  Advertising and promotional expenses paid to customers are expensed as incurred in accordance with ASC 605-50 - Customer Payments and Incentives.
Inventories
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value ("NRV") (see Note 5 - Inventories, net). The Company maintains an allowance for slow-moving and obsolete inventory as well as inventory where the cost is in excess of its NRV. For finished goods inventory, the Company estimates the amount of inventory that may not be sold prior to its expiration or is slow-moving based upon recent sales activity by unit and wholesaler inventory information. The Company also analyzes its raw material and component inventory for slow-moving items and NRV.

The Company capitalizes inventory costs associated with its products prior to regulatory approval when, based on management judgment, future commercialization is considered probable and future economic benefit is expected to be realized.  The Company assesses the regulatory approval process and where the product stands in relation to that approval process including any known constraints or impediments to approval.  The Company also considers the shelf life of the product in relation to the product timeline for approval.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method in amounts considered sufficient to amortize the cost of the assets to operations over their estimated useful lives.
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets: Intangible assets consist primarily of goodwill, which is carried at its initial value, In-Process Research and Development ("IPR&D"), which is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset, subject to impairment testing until completion or abandonment of the project, and product licensing costs, trademarks and other such costs, which are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, normally ranging from one year to thirty years.  The Company regularly assesses its amortizable intangible assets for impairment based on several factors, including estimated fair value and anticipated cash flows.  If the Company incurs additional costs to renew or extend the life of an intangible asset, such costs are added to the remaining unamortized cost of the asset, if any, and the sum is amortized over the extended remaining life of the asset. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events suggest that impairment may exist. The Company uses widely accepted valuation techniques to determine the fair value of its reporting units used in its annual goodwill impairment analysis. The Company’s valuation is primarily based on qualitative and quantitative assessments regarding the fair value of the reporting unit relative to its carrying value. The Company models the fair value of the reporting unit based on projected earnings and cash flows of the reporting unit.

Impairments of IPR&D are recorded within R&D expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, while all other impairments of intangible assets are recorded within the impairment of intangible assets line.
Net Income Per Common Share
Net Income (loss) Per Common Share: Basic net income (loss) per common share is based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect, if any, of stock options, restricted stock and convertible securities using the treasury stock and if converted methods.  Anti-dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share.

Income Taxes
Income Taxes:  Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and net operating loss and other tax credit carry-forwards. These items are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred income tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments:  The Company applies ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurement, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value and clarifies the definition of fair value within that framework. ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurement defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the Company’s principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820 - Fair Value Measurement generally requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the entity’s own assumptions based on market data and the entity’s judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, and are to be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
 
The valuation hierarchy is composed of three levels.  The classification within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  The levels within the valuation hierarchy are described below:

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Level 1—Assets and liabilities with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. Inputs to the fair value measurement are observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The carrying value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents and the portion of the value of the Nicox S.A. ("Nicox") shares which are available to be traded on the exchange are considered Level 1 assets.

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Level 2—Inputs to the fair value measurement are determined using prices for recently traded assets and liabilities with similar underlying terms, as well as directly or indirectly observable inputs, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. The Company has no Level 2 assets or liabilities in any of the periods presented.

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Level 3—Inputs to the fair value measurement are unobservable inputs, such as estimates, assumptions, and valuation techniques when little or no market data exists for the assets or liabilities. The portion of the fair valuation of the available-for-sale investment held in shares of Nicox stock that is subject to a lock-up provision is considered a Level 3 asset. The additional consideration payable as a result of prior years' acquisitions and other insignificant contingent amounts are considered Level 3 liabilities.

Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation: Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at grant date based on the fair value of the award, and the cost is recognized as expense ratably over the vesting period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model for estimating the grant date fair value of stock options. Determining the assumptions to be used in the model is highly subjective and requires judgment. The Company uses an expected volatility that is based on the historical volatility of its common stock. The expected life assumption is based on historical employee exercise patterns and employee post-vesting termination behavior. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the average market rate on U.S. Treasury securities of similar term in effect during the quarter in which the options were granted. The dividend yield reflects the Company’s historical experience as well as future expectations over the expected term of the option. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises the estimate in subsequent periods, as necessary, if actual forfeitures differ from initial estimates.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2017-9, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. Per the ASU, an entity should account for the effects of a modification unless all the following are met: (1) The fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification, (2) The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, and (3) The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The current disclosure requirements in Topic 718 apply regardless of whether an entity is required to apply modification accounting under the amendments in this ASU. The ASU is effective for public business entities for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for (1) public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued and (2) all other entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2017-9 will have on its statement of financial position or financial statement disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This standard amends and adjusts how cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years and will require adoption on a retrospective basis unless impracticable. If impracticable the Company would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date possible. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-15 will have on its statement of financial position or financial statement disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 - Leases, which establishes a comprehensive new lease accounting model. The new standard clarifies the definition of a lease and causes lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset for leases with a lease term of more than one year. ASU 2016-02 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition for capital or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, but it does not require transition accounting for leases that expire prior to the date of initial application. Upon adoption, the operating leases reporting in Note 9 - Leasing Arrangements, will be reported on the statement of financial position as gross-up assets and liabilities. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its statement of financial position or financial statement disclosures.

Revenue Recognition Related ASUs:

In February 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2017-05 - Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. The amendments in this ASU address the recognition of gains and losses on the transfer (i.e., sale) of nonfinancial (and in substance nonfinancial) assets to counterparties other than customers. The ASU conforms the derecognition guidance on nonfinancial assets with the model for transactions in the new revenue standard (ASC 606, as amended). The amendments are effective at the same time as the new revenue standard. For public entities that means annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein.

In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU affect narrow aspects of the guidance in ASU 2014-09, which is not yet effective. The amendments in this ASU address loan guarantee fees, impairment testing of contract costs, provisions for losses on construction-type and production-type contracts, and various disclosures. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements for Topic 606 (and any other Topic amended by ASU 2014-09). ASU 2015-14Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12 - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. This standard amends the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to specifically provide a practical expedient for reflecting contract modifications at transition. The effective date for ASU 2016-12 is the same as the effective date for ASU 2014-09, ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08 and ASU 2016-10.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) — Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. This standard amends the guidance in ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-08 specifically related to identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The effective date for ASU 2016-10 is the same as the effective date for ASU 2014-09, ASU 2015-14 and ASU 2016-08.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations. The amendments of this standard are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The effective date for ASU 2016-08 is the same as the effective date for ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2015-14.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) - Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year and permits early adoption as early as the original effective date of ASU 2014-09. The new revenue standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605 - Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in ASC 605-35 - Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. The standard’s core principle is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. The ASU defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach, as permitted under the standard. Early adoption of the standard is not permitted. This ASU and related updates are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.

We are currently finalizing our evaluation and documentation of our significant contracts to determine the impact that ASU 2014-09 and its subsequent updates will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, financial statement disclosures, and internal controls over financial reporting upon adoption. Based on our evaluation to date, we have made the following preliminary determinations: We will adopt the practical expedient to exclude all sales tax from the transaction price, the Company current process of accounting for the variable consideration payable to customers is in line with the current guidance and we expect that the timing and measurement of revenue will be consistent with current revenue recognition although our approach to revenue recognition will now be based on the transfer of control. Furthermore, additional disclosures will be required to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We expect to complete our assessment in December and will adopt the standard based on the modified retrospective approach.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2017-04 - Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the FASB eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The FASB also eliminated the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, the same impairment assessment applies to all reporting units. An entity is required to disclose the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. A public business entity that is an SEC filer should adopt the amendments in this Update for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. ASU 2017-04 was early adopted by the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2017 and did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements or financial statement disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 - Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This standard changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. The amendments in this ASU provide a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this ASU (1) require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The amendments provide a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present. The framework includes two sets of criteria to consider that depend on whether a set has outputs. Although outputs are not required for a set to be a business, outputs generally are a key element of a business; therefore, the FASB has developed more stringent criteria for sets without outputs. Lastly, the amendments in this Update narrow the definition of the term output so that the term is consistent with how outputs are described in Topic 606. The ASU is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. No disclosures are required at transition. Early application of the amendments in this Update is allowed as follows: (1) for transactions for which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance and (2) for transactions in which a subsidiary is deconsolidated or a group of assets is derecognized that occur before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. ASU 2017-01 was early adopted by the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2017 and did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements or financial statement disclosures.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 - Inventory. ASU 2015-11 simplifies the measurement of inventory by requiring inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable valueASU 2015-11 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2015-11 was adopted by the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2017 and did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements or financial statement disclosures.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15 - Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, to provide guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter. ASU 2014-15 - Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern was adopted by the Company for the year ending December 31, 2016. In connection with the preparation of the financial statements for the three month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company conducted an evaluation as to whether there were conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, which raised substantial doubt as to the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date of the issuance, or the date of availability, of the financial statements to be issued, noting that there did not appear to be evidence of substantial doubt of the entity's ability to continue as a going concern.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 - Compensation - Stock Compensation, which simplifies the accounting for the tax effects related to stock based compensation, including adjustments to how excess tax benefits and a company's payments for tax withholdings should be classified, amongst other items. ASU 2016-09 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-09 was early adopted by the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2016 and resulted in various effects, most notably a reduction in income tax expense of $11.4 million due to stock option exercises in the year ended December 31, 2016.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes. ASU 2015-17 - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2015-17 - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes was early adopted by the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2016 resulting in the reclassification of the current portion of deferred tax assets to non-current deferred tax assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 - Business CombinationsASU 2015-16 - Business Combinations simplifies the accounting for measurement-period adjustments by requiring adjustments to provisional amounts in a business combination to be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined and eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for those adjustments. ASU 2015-16 - Business Combinations requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the amount recorded in current-period earnings that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 - Business Combinations was adopted by the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2016 and did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements or financial statement disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 - Interest - Imputation of Interest, which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2015-03 was adopted by the Company for the year beginning January 1, 2016 resulting in the reclassification of the deferred financing fees to the respective face value of debt outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2016.