SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES

The Company

Gentex Corporation designs and manufactures automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics for the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for the aviation industry, and commercial smoke alarms and signaling devices for the fire protection industry. The Company’s largest business segment involves designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors and various electronic modules. The Company ships its product to all of the major automotive producing regions worldwide, which it supports with numerous sales, engineering and distribution locations worldwide.

A substantial portion of the Company’s net sales and accounts receivable result from transactions with domestic and foreign automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers. Aircraft windows are sold for use by aircraft manufacturers and a Tier 1 supplier. The Company’s fire protection products are primarily sold to domestic distributors and original equipment manufacturers of fire and security systems. The Company does not require collateral or other security for trade accounts receivable.

Significant accounting policies of the Company not described elsewhere are as follows:

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gentex Corporation and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of funds invested in bank accounts and money market funds that have daily liquidity.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

The Company bases its allowances for doubtful accounts related to receivables on historical credit and collections experience, and the specific identification of other potential problems impacting collectability, including the economic climate. Actual collections can differ, requiring adjustments to the allowances. Individual accounts receivable balances are evaluated on a monthly basis, and those balances considered uncollectible are charged to the allowance. Collections of amounts previously written off are recorded as an increase to the allowance.

The following table presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts:



	Beginning Balance		Net Additions/ (Reductions) to Costs and Expenses			Deductions and Other Adjustments			Ending Balance
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	2,663,477	$	—		$	253,947		$	2,917,424
Year Ended December 31, 2015:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	2,711,248	$	—		$	(47,771	)	$	2,663,477
Year Ended December 31, 2014:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	$	3,202,388	$	(300,000	)	$	(191,140	)	$	2,711,248

The Company’s overall allowance for doubtful accounts primarily relates to financially distressed automotive customers. The Company continues to work with these financially distressed customers in collecting past due balances.

Investments

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, for its financial assets and liabilities, and for its non-financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities. This framework is intended to provide increased consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards that permit, or in some cases, require estimates of fair-market value. This standard also expanded financial statement disclosure requirements about a company’s use of fair-value measurements, including the effect of such measure on earnings. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

The Company’s common stocks and certain mutual funds are classified as available for sale and are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices, and as such are classified as Level 1 assets. The Company determines the fair value of its government securities, corporate bonds, and certain mutual funds by utilizing monthly valuation statements that are provided by its broker. The broker determines the investment valuation by utilizing the bid price in the market and also refers to third party sources to validate valuations, and as such are classified as Level 2 assets.

The Company's certificates of deposit have remaining maturities of less than one year and are classified as available for sale, and are considered as Level 1 assets. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Assets or liabilities that have recurring fair value measurements are shown below as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Total as of		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Description	December 31, 2016		(Level I)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Cash & Cash Equivalents	$	546,477,075	$	546,477,075	$	—	$	—
Short-Term Investments:
Certificate of Deposit	130,000,000		130,000,000		—		—
Government Securities	13,993,480		—		13,993,480		—
Mutual Funds	26,116,681				26,116,681
Corporate Bonds	6,698,382		—		6,698,382		—
Other	212,653		212,653		—		—
Long-Term Investments:
Corporate Bonds	1,948,556				1,948,556
Common Stocks	12,849,007		12,849,007		—		—
Mutual Funds	28,872,010		28,872,010		—		—
Preferred Stock	714,000		714,000
Government Securities	5,510,790				5,510,790
Total	$	773,392,634	$	719,124,745	$	54,267,889	$	—



			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Total as of		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
Description	December 31, 2015		(Level I)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Cash & Cash Equivalents	$	551,557,527	$	551,557,527	$	—	$	—
Short-Term Investments:
Government Securities	3,010,860		—		3,010,860		—
Corporate Bonds	1,512,015		—		1,512,015		—
Other	24,480		24,480		—		—
Long-Term Investments:
Common Stocks	20,454,804		20,454,804		—		—
Mutual Funds – Equity	74,701,735		74,701,735		—		—
Total	$	651,261,421	$	646,738,546	$	4,522,875	$	—

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and market value of investment securities are shown as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:



	Unrealized
2016	Cost		Gains		Losses			Market Value
Short-Term Investments:
Certificate of Deposit	$	130,000,000	$	—	—			$	130,000,000
Government Securities	14,003,644		—		(10,164		)	13,993,480
Mutual Funds	26,326,674		27,459		(237,452		)	26,116,681
Corporate Bonds	6,706,721		—		(8,339		)	6,698,382
Other	212,653		—		—			212,653
Long-Term Investments:
Corporate Bonds	1,955,292		—		(6,736		)	1,948,556
Common Stocks	9,825,550		3,349,962		(326,505		)	12,849,007
Mutual Funds	27,329,164		1,830,992		(288,146		)	28,872,010
Preferred Stock	745,462		360		(31,822		)	714,000
Government Securities	5,519,668		661		(9,539		)	5,510,790
Total	$	222,624,828	$	5,209,434	$	(918,703	)	$	226,915,559



	Unrealized
2015	Cost		Gains		Losses			Market Value
Short-Term Investments:
Government Securities	$	3,013,482	$	—	$	(2,622	)	$	3,010,860
Corporate Bonds	1,512,405		—		(390		)	1,512,015
Other	24,480		—		—			24,480
Long-Term Investments:
Common Stocks	17,395,641		4,078,912		(1,019,749		)	20,454,804
Mutual Funds-Equity	76,481,106		2,067,399		(3,846,770		)	74,701,735
Total	$	98,427,114	$	6,146,311	$	(4,869,531	)	$	99,703,894

Unrealized losses on investments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:



	Aggregate Unrealized Losses		Aggregate Fair Value
Less than one year	$	767,612	$	55,574,292
Greater than one year	151,091		358,120
Total	$	918,703	$	55,932,412

Unrealized losses on investments as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:



	Aggregate Unrealized Losses		Aggregate Fair Value
Less than one year	$	4,869,531	$	65,440,181
Greater than one year	—		—
Total	$	4,869,531	$	65,440,181

ASC 320, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, as amended and interpreted, provides guidance on determining when an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company reviews its fixed income and equity investment portfolio for any unrealized losses that would be deemed other-than-temporary and require the recognition of an impairment loss in income. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investments. Management also considers the type of security, related-industry and sector performance, as well as published investment ratings and analyst reports, to evaluate its portfolio. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and new cost basis in the investment is established. If market, industry, and/or investee conditions deteriorate, the Company may incur future impairments. No investments were considered to be other-than-temporary impaired in 2016 and 2015.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable accounts payable, short and long term debt. The Company’s estimate of the fair values of these financial instruments approximates their carrying amounts at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

Inventories

Inventories include material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead and are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market. Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:



	2016		2015
Raw materials	$	115,099,569	$	110,683,958
Work-in-process	32,509,368		27,077,220
Finished goods	41,702,500		36,934,233
Total Inventory	$	189,311,437	$	174,695,411

Allowances for slow-moving and obsolete inventories (which are included, net, in the above inventory values) were $6.1 million and $8.2 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The year-over-year decrease in the allowance was a result of the disposal of certain items within inventory.

Plant and Equipment

Plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method, with estimated useful lives of 7 to 30 years for buildings and improvements, and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Depreciation expense was approximately $66.3 million, $58.1 million and $55.3 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets with definite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company conducts its long-lived asset impairment analysis in accordance with ASC 360-10-15, Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. ASC 360-10-15 requires the Company to group assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities and evaluate the asset group against the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows. If the undiscounted cash flows do not indicate the carrying amount of the asset is recoverable, an impairment charge is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value based on discounted cash flow analysis or appraisals.

Patents

The Company’s policy is to capitalize costs incurred to obtain patents. The cost of patents is amortized over their useful lives. The cost of patents in process is not amortized until issuance. The Company periodically obtains intellectual property rights, in the ordinary course of business, and the cost of the rights are amortized over their useful lives.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill reflects the cost of an acquisition in excess of the fair values assigned to identifiable net assets acquired. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs an impairment review for its automotive reporting unit, which has been determined to be one of the Company’s reportable segments. The fair value of a reporting unit refers to the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company performs a qualitative assessment (step 0) to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. If not, no further goodwill impairment testing is performed. If so, we perform the step 1 and step 2 tests discussed hereafter. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount (step 1), goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step is not required. However, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an entity must perform the second step to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The second step requires a reporting unit to compare its implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the reporting unit would recognize an impairment loss for that excess.

The assumptions included in the impairment tests require judgment and changes to these inputs could impact the results of the calculations which could result in an impairment charge in future periods if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its calculated fair value. For the qualitative assessment performed, management considers factors such as macro-economic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance, and other company-specific events, amongst other factors, in making the determination as to whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. Other than management's internal projections of future cash flows, the primary assumptions used in the step 1 and step 2 impairment tests are the weighted-average cost of capital and long-term growth rates. Although the Company's cash flow forecasts are based on assumptions that are considered reasonable by management and consistent with the plans and estimates management is using to operate the underlying business, there are significant judgments in determining the expected future cash flows attributable to a reporting unit. There have been no impairment charges booked currently or in prior periods in which goodwill existed.

Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to annual impairment testing or more frequently if indicators of impairment are identified. Management judgment and assumptions are required in determining the underlying fair value of the indefinite lived intangible assets. While the Company believes the judgments and assumptions used in determining fair value are reasonable, different assumptions could change the estimated fair values and, therefore, impairment charges could be required, which could be material to the consolidated financial statements. The indefinite lived intangible assets were not impaired as a result of the annual test prepared by management for either period presented.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenue is generated from sales of its products. Sales are recognized when the product is shipped and legal title has passed to the customer. The Company does not generate sales from arrangements with multiple deliverables.

Advertising and Promotional Materials

All advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to approximately $1.9 million, $1.4 million and $1.1 million, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Repairs and Maintenance

Major renewals and improvements of property and equipment are capitalized, and repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred expenses relating to the repair and maintenance of plant and equipment of approximately $22.1 million, $20.7 million and $17.9 million, in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Self-Insurance

The Company is self-insured for a portion of its risk on workers’ compensation and employee medical costs. The arrangements provide for stop loss insurance to manage the Company’s risk. Operations are charged with the cost of claims reported and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported, based upon historical claims lag information and other data.

Product Warranty

The Company periodically incurs product warranty costs. Any liabilities associated with product warranty are estimated based on known facts and circumstances and are not significant at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The Company does not offer extended warranties on its products.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is based on the earnings reported in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. Such deferred income tax asset and liability computations are based on enacted tax laws and rates. In accordance with ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, deferred tax liabilities and assets are classified as long-term in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016. Prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

Earnings Per Share

The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for each of the last three years adjusted for the two-for-one common stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend issued on December 31, 2014:



	2016		2015		2014
Numerators:
Numerator for both basic and diluted EPS, net income	$	347,591,276	$	318,469,859	$	288,604,579
Denominators:
Denominator for basic EPS, weighted-average common shares outstanding	288,433,772		293,096,212		290,952,123
Potentially dilutive shares resulting from stock option plans	2,638,544		3,141,687		3,347,236
Denominator for diluted EPS	291,072,316		296,237,899		294,299,359

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 1,985,849, 1,656,936 and 1,228,694 shares, respectively, related to stock option plans were not included in diluted average common shares outstanding because they were anti-dilutive.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. For the Company, comprehensive income represents net income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses on certain investments, unrealized gains and losses on certain derivative financial instruments, and foreign currency translation adjustments that are further detailed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at year-end. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange in effect during the year. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ investment. Gains and losses arising from re-measuring foreign currency transactions into the appropriate currency are included in the determination of net income.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The guidance requires that all derivative instruments be recognized as assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, fair value changes in the effective portion of the hedging instrument are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets until the forecasted transaction affects earnings of the consolidated entity. Any ineffective portion of the fair value change is recognized in earnings immediately. At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there was no ineffectiveness.

The Company seeks to reduce exposure to interest rate fluctuations through the use of an interest rate swap agreement. The Company does not buy and sell such financial instruments for investment or speculative purposes. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties on derivative contracts. It is the Company’s practice to manage its credit risk on these transactions by dealing with highly rated financial institutions.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” As described more fully in Note 5, the Company provides compensation benefits under two stock option plans, a restricted stock plan and an employee stock purchase plan.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 those estimates.

Recent Accounting Standards

In May 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard was originally to be effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015 the FASB decided to defer by one year the effective dates of the new standard for both public and nonpublic entities reporting under US GAAP. Early adoption would be permitted for all entities, but not before the original public entity effective date (i.e. annual and interim periods beginning after December 16, 2016).

Entities can choose to apply the standard using either the full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. Entities electing the full retrospective adoption will apply the standard to each period presented in the financial statements. This means that entities will have to apply the new guidance as if it had been in effect since the inception of all its contracts with customers presented in the financial statements. Entities that elect the modified retrospective approach will apply the guidance retrospectively only to the most current period presented in the financial statements. This means that entities will have to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application. The new revenue standard will be applied to contracts that are in progress at the date of initial application.

The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 and apply the modified retrospective approach. The Company has continued to monitor FASB activity related to the new standard and is currently assessing existing contracts with customers as a part of determining the potential effect the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company currently anticipates that the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09 could impact the accounting treatment of certain contracts, as well as pre-production engineering, development and tooling costs related to products manufactured for our customers under long-term supply agreements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, requiring all deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any related valuation allowance, to be classified as non-current on the balance sheet instead of separating deferred taxes into current and non-current amounts. The classification change for all deferred taxes as non-current simplifies entities’ processes as it eliminates the need to separately identify the net current and net non-current deferred tax asset or liability in each jurisdiction and allocate valuation allowances. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU No. 2015-17 in the first quarter of 2016 on a prospective basis, as such, prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which provides guidance for lease accounting. The new guidance contained in the ASU stipulates that lessees will need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for substantially all leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. Treatment in the consolidated statements of earnings will be similar to the current treatment of operating and capital leases. The new guidance is effective on a modified retrospective basis for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation. ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company believes the most significant impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to the Company's consolidated financial statements will be to recognize certain tax benefits or tax deficiencies upon a restricted-stock award vesting or stock option exercise relative to the deferred tax asset position established in the provision for income taxes line of the consolidated statement of operations instead of to consolidated stockholders' equity. The amount of the impact to the provision of income taxes will depend on the difference between the market value of share-based awards at vesting or settlement and the grant date fair value recognized through share-based compensation. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company recorded $4.3 million, $2.3 million, and $5.0 million to consolidated stockholders' equity as net tax benefits related to share-based compensation, respectively. Additionally, the Company will present the cash flows related to the applicable share-based compensation excess tax benefits in operating activities along with other income tax cash flows rather than in financing activities on a prospective basis. The guidance will be effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that year.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows, which updates the guidance as to how certain cash receipts and cash payments should be presented and classified within the statement of cash flows. The update is intended to reduce the existing diversity in practice. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company is in the process of assessing the potential effect the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.