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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

GP Strategies Corporation is a global performance improvement solutions provider of training, digital learning solutions, management consulting and engineering services. References in this report to “GP Strategies,” the “Company,” “we” and “our” are to GP Strategies Corporation and its subsidiaries, collectively.

FASB Codification

We follow generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, sometimes referred to as ASC.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the operations of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Significant Customers and Concentration of Credit Risk

Significant Customers & Concentration of Credit Risk

We have a market concentration of revenue in both the automotive sector and financial services & insurance sector. Revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 28%, 23% and 22% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single automotive customer, which accounted for approximately 13%, 14% and 13% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019 accounts receivable from a single automotive customer totaled $17.2 million, or 13%, of our consolidated accounts receivable balance.

Revenue from the financial services and insurance industry accounted for approximately 16%, 19% and 20% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single financial services customer, which accounted for approximately 10%, 13% and 14% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, billed and unbilled accounts receivable from a single financial services customer totaled $15.4 million, or 8%, of our consolidated accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances.

No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue in 2019 or consolidated accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2019.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash

We maintain our cash balances in bank accounts at various financial institutions. Outstanding checks which have been issued but not presented to the banks for payment in excess of amounts on deposit may create negative book cash balances. We transfer cash on an as-needed basis to fund these items as they clear the bank in subsequent periods. Such negative cash balances are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and totaled $3.7 million and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Changes in negative book cash balances from period to period are reported as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts. We evaluate the collectability of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When we are aware that a specific customer may be unable to meet its financial obligations to us, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, we evaluate the need to record a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount we reasonably believe is collectible. We also record reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical collection experience and trends of past due accounts, write-offs and specific identification and review of past due accounts. Actual collections of trade receivables could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in future economic or industry conditions or specific customers’ financial conditions.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currencies of our international operations are the respective local currencies of the countries in which we operate. The translation of the foreign currency into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using the weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from such translation are included as a component of comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses arising from currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local functional currency are included in “Other income (expense)" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606") using the modified retrospective method. Under this transition method, we applied the new standard to contracts that were not completed as of the adoption date and recognized a cumulative effect adjustment which reduced retained earnings by $0.4 million on January 1, 2018. The comparative prior period information has not been restated and continues to be presented according to accounting standards in effect for those periods. Further information regarding our revenue recognition, including our full accounting policy description, can be found in Note 2.

Contract Related Assets and Liabilities

The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled revenue (contract assets), and deferred revenue (contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance sheet. Amounts charged to our clients become billable according to the contract terms, which usually consider the passage of time, achievement of milestones or completion of the project. When billings occur after the work has been performed, such unbilled amounts will generally be billed and collected within 60 to 120 days but typically no longer than over the next twelve months. When we advance bill clients prior to the work being performed, generally, such amounts will be earned and recognized in revenue within the next twelve months. These assets and liabilities are reported on the consolidated balance sheet on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the contract asset and liability balances during the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019 were not materially impacted by any other factors, except for a significant decrease in unbilled contract receivables as of December 31, 2019 compared to 2018 due to higher unbilled balances at December 31, 2018 resulting from a delay in billings at the end of 2018 in connection with the implementation of a new ERP system in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, and the change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of tax.

Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets on our consolidated balance sheet include prepaid expenditures for goods or services before the goods are used or the services are received, inventories and work in progress on customer contracts. Prepaid expenses are charged to expense in the periods the benefits are realized. Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market. Provision is made to reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable value.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost (or fair value at acquisition date for assets obtained through business combinations). Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs which do not extend the lives of the assets are expensed as incurred. Gain or loss on the disposition of property, plant and equipment is recognized in operations when realized.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is recognized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:



Class of assets		Useful life
Buildings and improvements		5 to 40 years
Machinery, equipment, and furniture and fixtures		3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of asset life or term of lease

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized at the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Impairment of long-lived assets is assessed at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent from other groups of assets. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and would no longer be depreciated.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets include amounts recognized in connection with acquisitions, including customer relationships, tradenames, technology and intellectual property. Intangible assets are initially valued at fair market value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible assets. Intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Except for goodwill, we do not have any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. We review our goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We test goodwill at the reporting unit level.

ASC 350 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under ASC 350, an entity is not required to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test for a reporting unit if it is more likely than not that its fair value is greater than its carrying amount. For our annual goodwill impairment tests as of both October 1, 2019 and 2018, we performed quantitative goodwill impairment tests and concluded that the fair values of each of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values.

In the quantitative impairment test, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we record an impairment loss equal to the difference, however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

We determine the fair value of our reporting units using both an income approach and a market approach, and weigh both approaches to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. Under the income approach, we perform a discounted cash flow analysis which incorporates management’s cash flow projections over a five-year period and a terminal value is calculated by applying a capitalization rate to terminal year projections based on an estimated long-term growth rate. The five-year projected cash flows and calculated terminal value are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) which takes into account the costs of debt and equity. The cost of equity is based on the risk-free interest rate, equity risk premium, industry and size equity premiums and any additional market equity risk premiums as deemed appropriate for each reporting unit. To arrive at a fair value for each reporting unit, the terminal value is discounted by the WACC and added to the present value of the estimated cash flows over the discrete five-year period. There are a number of other variables which impact the projected cash flows, such as expected revenue growth and profitability levels, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and related depreciation and amortization. Under the market approach, we perform a comparable public company analysis and apply revenue and earnings multiples from the identified set of companies to the reporting unit’s actual and forecasted financial performance to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. We evaluate the reasonableness of the fair value calculations of our reporting units by reconciling the total of the fair values of all of our reporting units to our total market capitalization, and adjusting for an appropriate control premium. In addition, we make certain judgments in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of our reporting units.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit 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, 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 those estimates. In addition, we make certain judgments and assumptions in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of our reporting units. The timing and frequency of our goodwill impairment tests are based on an ongoing assessment of events and circumstances that would indicate a possible impairment. We will continue to monitor our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment and conduct formal tests when impairment indicators are present.

Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions

Acquisitions may include contingent consideration payments based on future financial measures of an acquired company. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. We estimate the fair value of these liabilities using an appropriate valuation methodology, typically either an income-based approach or a simulation model, such as the Monte Carlo model, depending on the structure of the contingent consideration arrangement. At each reporting date, the contingent consideration obligation is revalued to estimated fair value and changes in fair value subsequent to the acquisition are reflected in income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and could cause a material impact to our operating results. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods and rates and changes in the timing and amount of revenue and/or earnings projections.

Other Assets

Other assets primarily include an investment in a joint venture, certain software development costs, and unamortized debt issuance costs relating to our revolving credit facility. We account for a 10% interest in a joint venture partnership under the equity method of accounting because significant influence exists due to certain factors, including representation on the partnership’s Management Board and voting rights. We capitalize the cost of internal-use software in accordance with ASC Topic 350-40, Internal-Use Software and ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. These costs consist of internal labor costs and payments made to third parties for software development and implementation and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to eight years. We amortize debt issuance costs to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the term of our revolving credit facility.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We establish accruals for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Favorable or unfavorable adjustment of the accrual for any particular issue would be recognized as an increase or decrease to income tax expense in the period of a change in facts and circumstances. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are computed by dividing earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of common stock equivalent shares that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

Our dilutive common stock equivalent shares consist of stock options and restricted stock units outstanding under our stock-based incentive plans and are computed under the treasury stock method, using the average market price during the period. Performance-based restricted stock unit awards are included in the computation of diluted shares based on the probable outcome of the underlying performance conditions being achieved. The following table presents instruments which were not dilutive and were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS in each period, as well as the weighted average dilutive common stock equivalent shares which were included in the computation of diluted EPS:

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Pursuant to our stock-based incentive plans which are described more fully in Note 12, we grant stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based stock units (PSU's) and equity to officers, employees, and members of the Board of Directors. We compute compensation expense for all equity-based compensation awards issued to employees using the fair-value measurement method. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for stock-based compensation awards with both graded and cliff vesting terms. We recognize forfeitures as they occur with a reduction in compensation expense in the period of forfeiture. We do not capitalize any material portion of our stock-based compensation.

We recognize compensation expense for PSU's on a straight-line basis over the performance period based on the probable outcome of achievement of the financial targets. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate the number of PSU's expected to vest, based on the probability and extent to which the performance goals will be met, and take into account these estimates when calculating the expense for the period. If the number of shares expected to be earned changes during the performance period, we will make a cumulative adjustment to compensation expense based on the revised number of shares expected to be earned.

We estimate the fair value of our stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires various assumptions such as expected term, expected stock price volatility and risk-free interest rate. We estimate the expected term of stock options granted taking into consideration historical data related to stock option exercises. We use historical stock price data in order to estimate the expected volatility factor of stock options granted. The risk-free interest rate for the periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the estimates used, including but not limited to those related to revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, impairments of goodwill and other intangible assets, valuation of intangible assets acquired and contingent consideration liabilities assumed in business acquisitions, valuation of stock-based compensation awards and income taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Fair Value Estimates

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (“Topic 820”), defines fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance within Topic 820 is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:


•	Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;


•	Level 2 – quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and


•	Level 3 – unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The carrying value of financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate estimated market values because of short-term maturities and interest rates that approximate current rates. In addition, the fair value of our long-term debt approximated its carrying value as of December 31, 2019 as it bears interest at variable rates. Our fair value measurements related to goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration are recognized in connection with acquisitions and are valued using Level 3 inputs. Our interest rate derivatives are valued using Level 2 inputs.

Leases

Legal Expenses

We are involved, from time to time, in litigation and proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of business. Costs for legal services rendered in the course of these proceedings are charged to expense as they are incurred.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

Accounting Standard Issued

Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires the recognition of lease rights and obligations as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. Previously, lessees were not required to recognize on the balance sheet assets and liabilities arising from operating leases. We adopted Topic 842 using the modified retrospective method of adoption applying the transition provisions at the beginning of the period of adoption, rather than at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in these financial statements. As a result, prior period information has not been restated.

The new standard provides several optional practical expedients for use in transition. We elected to use what the FASB has deemed the “package of practical expedients,” which allows us not to reassess our previous conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and the accounting treatment for initial direct costs. The ASU also provides several optional practical expedients for the ongoing accounting for leases. We have elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, meaning that for leases with terms of twelve months or less, we will not recognize right-of-use (ROU) assets or lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, we have elected to use the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for leases of real estate, meaning that for these leases, the non-lease components are included in the associated ROU asset and lease liability balances on our consolidated balance sheet.

The most significant effects of adopting Topic 842 on our consolidated financial statements were (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities for our operating leases of $31.1 million and $34.9 million , respectively on January 1, 2019, which included reclassifying accrued rent as a component of the ROU asset, and 2) significant new disclosures about our leasing activities, which are provided in Note 14. Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires companies to record an allowance for expected credit losses over the contractual term of financial assets, including short-term trade receivables and contract assets, and expands disclosure requirements for credit quality of financial assets. Upon adoption of the new standard on January 1, 2020, we began recognizing an allowance for credit losses based on the estimated lifetime expected credit loss related to our financial assets. Based on our analysis of Topic 326 and due to the nature and extent of our financial instruments in scope of this ASU (primarily accounts receivable) and the historical, current and expected credit quality of our customers, we do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance promotes a framework to help improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. The new standard will impact our disclosures but is not anticipated to impact on our operating results, financial position or cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The standard removes step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under the ASU, an entity should perform its annual goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and 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. ASU 2017-04 is effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2019. The adoption of the ASU did not have an effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.