XML 56 R8.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Consolidation
The financial statements include the accounts of our majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and affiliates. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, over which we exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for by the equity method. Accordingly, our share of net income or loss of unconsolidated affiliates is included in net income.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of financial statements that follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using standard or average costs which approximate the first-in, first-out costing method.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost and depreciated over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method for financial reporting and both accelerated and straight-line methods for tax reporting. The estimated useful lives range from 20 to 40 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery, equipment and computer software. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
We capitalize costs of software developed or obtained for internal use. Capitalized software development costs include only (1) direct costs paid to others for materials and services to develop or buy the software, (2) payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who work directly on the software development project and (3) interest costs while developing the software. Capitalization of these costs stops when the project is substantially complete and ready for use. Software is amortized using the straight-line method over a range of 3 to 8 years, but not exceeding the expected life of the product. We capitalized $20.5 million of software during the year ended November 30, 2012, $17.3 million during the year ended November 30, 2011 and $13.3 million during the year ended November 30, 2010.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We review the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets and conduct tests of impairment on an annual basis as described below. We also test goodwill for impairment if events or circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount and test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Separable intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over those lives.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived purchased intangible asset is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, assumed royalty rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from these estimates.
Goodwill Impairment
Our reporting units used to assess potential goodwill impairment are the same as our business segments. We calculate fair value of a reporting unit by using a discounted cash flow model and then compare that to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including intangible assets and goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the calculated fair value, then we would determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. An impairment charge would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value.
Indefinite-lived Intangible Asset Impairment
Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of brand names and trademarks. We calculate fair value by using a discounted cash flow model or relief-from-royalty method and then compare that to the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. If the carrying amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recorded to the extent the recorded indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the fair value.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when we have an agreement with the customer, the product has been delivered to the customer, the sales price is fixed and collectability is reasonably assured. We reduce revenue for estimated product returns, allowances and price discounts based on historical experience and contractual terms.
Trade allowances, consisting primarily of customer pricing allowances, merchandising funds and consumer coupons, are offered through various programs to customers and consumers. Revenue is recorded net of trade allowances.
Trade accounts receivable are amounts billed and currently due from customers. We have an allowance for doubtful accounts to reduce our receivables to their net realizable value. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on our history of collections and the aging of our receivables.
Shipping and Handling
Shipping and handling costs on our products sold to customers are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement. Shipping and handling expense was $94.8 million, $89.4 million and $77.7 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement. Research and development expense was $57.8 million, $58.1 million and $52.7 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Brand Marketing Support
Total brand marketing support costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the income statement, were $198.3 million, $187.3 million and $167.2 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Brand marketing support costs include advertising, promotions and customer trade funds used for cooperative advertising. Promotion costs include consumer promotions, point of sale materials and sampling programs. Advertising costs include the development, production and communication of advertisements through print, television, radio, digital and in-store displays. These advertisements are expensed in the period in which they first run. Advertising expense was $86.2 million, $77.2 million and $71.7 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Recently Issued Accounting
Pronouncements
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-5 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This guidance is intended to increase the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements by presenting it in either a single statement or two-statement approach. This new accounting pronouncement is effective for our first quarter of 2013, and we do not expect any material impact on our financial statements from adoption.