2. Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business

ACCO Brands is primarily involved in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of office products—including traditional and computer-related office products, supplies, binding and laminating equipment and related consumable supplies, personal computer accessory products, paper-based time management products and presentation aids and products—selling primarily to large resellers. The Company's subsidiaries operate principally in the U.S, Australia, the U.K. and Canada.

Use of Estimates

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

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less are included in cash and cash equivalents.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts, Discounts and Returns

Trade receivables are recorded at the stated amount, less allowances for discounts, doubtful accounts and returns. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents estimated uncollectible receivables associated with potential customer defaults on contractual obligations, usually due to customers' potential insolvency. The allowances include amounts for certain customers where a risk of default has been specifically identified. In addition, the allowances includes a provision for customer defaults on a general formula basis when it is determined the risk of some default is probable and estimable, but cannot yet be associated with specific customers. The assessment of the likelihood of customer defaults is based on various factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical experience and existing economic conditions.

The allowance for sales returns represents estimated uncollectible receivables associated with the potential return of products previously sold to customers, and is recorded at the time that the sales are recognized. The allowance includes a general provision for product returns based on historical trends. In addition, the allowance includes a reserve for currently authorized customer returns that are considered to be abnormal in comparison to the historical basis.

Inventories

Inventories are priced at the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out with minor amounts at average) or market. A reserve is established to adjust the cost of inventory to its net realizable value. Inventory reserves are recorded for obsolete or slow-moving inventory based on assumptions about future demand and marketability of products, the impact of new product introductions and specific identification of items, such as product discontinuance or engineering/material changes. These estimates could vary significantly, either favorably or unfavorably, from actual requirements if future economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive conditions differ from expectations.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is provided, principally on a straight-line basis, over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Gains or losses resulting from dispositions are included in operating income. Betterments and renewals, that improve and extend the life of an asset are capitalized; maintenance and repair costs are expensed. Purchased computer software is capitalized and amortized over the software's useful life. The following table shows estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment:


Buildings		40 to 50 years
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of lease term or the life of the asset
Machinery, equipment and furniture		3 to 10 years

Long-Lived Assets

We test long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets' carrying amount is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows. When such events occur, we compare the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group to the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group. The cash flows are based on our best estimate at the time of future cash flow, derived from the most recent business projections. If this comparison indicates that there is impairment, the amount of the impairment is typically calculated using discounted expected future cash flows. The discount rate applied to these cash flows is based on our weighted average cost of capital, computed by selecting market rates at the valuation dates for debt and equity that are reflective of the risks associated with an investment in the Company's industry as estimated by using comparable publicly traded companies.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are comprised primarily of indefinite-lived intangible assets acquired and purchased intangible assets arising from the application of purchase accounting. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are evaluated annually to determine whether the indefinite useful life is appropriate. Indefinite-lived intangibles are tested for impairment on an annual basis and written down where impaired. Certain of the Company's trade names have been assigned an indefinite life as these trade names are currently anticipated to contribute cash flows to the Company indefinitely.

We review indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment annually, and whenever market or business events indicate there may be a potential impact on a particular intangible. We consider the implications of both external factors (e.g., market growth, pricing, competition, and technology) and internal factors (e.g., product costs, margins, support expenses, capital investment) and their potential impact on cash flows for each business in both the near and long term, as well as their impact on any identifiable intangible asset associated with the business. Based on recent business results, consideration of significant external and internal factors, and the resulting business projections, indefinite lived intangible assets are reviewed to determine whether they are likely to remain indefinite lived, or whether a finite life is more appropriate. Finite lived intangibles are amortized over 15, 23 or 30 years.

Goodwill

Goodwill has been recorded on the Company's balance sheet and represents the excess of the cost of the acquisitions when compared to the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually, normally in the second quarter and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. Recoverability of goodwill is evaluated using a two-step process. In the first step, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to a reporting unit, goodwill is considered not impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, the second step of the impairment test is performed in order to determine the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill. Determining the implied fair value of goodwill requires valuation of a reporting unit's tangible and intangible assets and liabilities in a manner similar to the allocation of purchase price in a business combination. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, goodwill is deemed impaired and is written down to the extent of the difference. Similar to the review for impairment of other long-lived assets, the resulting fair value determination is significantly impacted by estimates of future sales for the Company's products, capital needs, economic trends and other factors.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company and its subsidiaries provide a range of benefits to their employees and retired employees, including pension, postretirement, post-employment and health care benefits. The Company records annual amounts relating to these plans based on calculations, which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, assumed rates of return on plan assets, compensation increases, turnover rates and health care cost trend rates. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is deemed appropriate to do so. The effect of the modifications are generally recorded and amortized over future periods.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax liabilities or assets are established for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting bases and are subsequently adjusted to reflect changes in tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Facts and circumstances may change that cause the Company to revise the conclusions on its ability to realize certain net operating losses and other deferred tax attributes.

The amount of income taxes that we pay is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. Our estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax position is subject to management's assessment of relevant risks, facts and circumstances existing at that time. We believe that we have adequately provided for reasonably foreseeable outcomes related to these matters. However, our future results may include favorable or unfavorable adjustments to our estimated tax liabilities in the period the assessments are revised or resolved.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from product sales when earned, net of applicable provisions for discounts, return and allowances. We consider revenue to be realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We also provide for our estimate of potential bad debt at the time of revenue recognition.

Cost of Products Sold

Cost of products sold includes all manufacturing, product sourcing and distribution costs, including depreciation related to assets used in the manufacturing and distribution process, inbound and outbound freight, shipping and handling costs, purchasing costs associated with materials and packaging used in the production processes.

Advertising, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Advertising, selling, general and administrative expenses include advertising, marketing, selling (including commissions), research and development, customer service, depreciation related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution processes and all other general and administrative expenses outside the manufacturing and distribution functions (e.g., finance, human resources, information technology, etc.).

Customer Program Costs

Customer program costs include, but are not limited to, sales rebates which are generally tied to achievement of certain sales volume levels, in-store promotional allowances, shared media and customer catalog allowances and other cooperative advertising arrangements, and freight allowance programs. The Company generally recognizes customer program costs as a deduction to gross sales at the time that the associated revenue is recognized. Certain customer incentives that do not directly relate to future revenues are expensed when initiated.

In addition, accrued customer program liabilities principally include, but are not limited to, sales volume rebates, promotional allowances, shared media and customer catalog allowances and other cooperative advertising arrangements, and freight allowances as discussed above.

Shipping and Handling

The Company reflects all amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling in net sales and the costs incurred from shipping and handling product (including costs to ship and move product from the seller's place of business to the buyer's place of business, as well as costs to store, move and prepare products for shipment) in cost of products sold.

Warranty Reserves

The Company offers its customers various warranty terms based on the type of product that is sold. Estimated future obligations related to products sold under these warranty terms are provided by charges to operations in the period in which the related revenue is recognized.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs amounted to $98.1 million, $92.9 million and $92.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These costs include, but are not limited to, cooperative advertising and promotional allowances as described in "Customer Program Costs" above, and are principally expensed as incurred.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses, which amounted to $20.5 million, $24.0 million and $18.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are classified as general and administrative expenses and are charged to expense as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

Our primary types of share-based compensation consist of stock options, stock-settled appreciation rights, restricted stock unit awards, and performance stock unit awards. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. Where awards are made with non-substantive vesting periods (for example, where a portion of the award vests upon retirement eligibility), we estimate and recognize expense based on the period from the grant date to the date on which the employee is retirement eligible.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign currency balance sheet accounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The related translation adjustments are made directly to a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity. Some transactions are made in currencies different from an entity's functional currency. Gains and losses on these foreign currency transactions are included in income as they occur.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge and is effective, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings in the same period. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive income and are recognized in the income statement when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings.

Certain forecasted transactions, assets and liabilities are exposed to foreign currency risk. The Company continually monitors its foreign currency exposures in order to maximize the overall effectiveness of its foreign currency hedge positions. Principal currencies hedged include the U.S. dollar, Euro and Pound sterling.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an update, Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-5, to existing standards on comprehensive income (Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 220). ASU No. 2011-5 was issued to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2011-5 is effective for annual and interim periods ending beginning after December 15, 2011, and early adoption is permitted. In December 2011 the FASB issued an update to ASU No. 2011-5, ASU No. 2011-12, which was issued to defer the effective date for amendments to the reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income in ASU No. 2011-05. The Company has adopted these new standards as of December 2011. The Company has provided the required disclosure in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued an update, ASU No. 2011-08, to existing standards on intangibles—goodwill and other ASC Topic 350. ASU No. 2011-08 was issued to simplify the testing of goodwill for impairment by allowing an optional qualitative factors test 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 the two-step goodwill impairment test already included in ASC Topic 350. ASU No. 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company will adopt the standard in 2012, and it will not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements or results of operations.

In December 2011 the FASB issued an update, ASU No. 2011-11 to existing standards regarding the disclosures involving the offsetting of assets and liabilities relating to financial instruments. ASU No. 2011-11 was issued to improve disclosures regarding offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. ASU No. 2011-011 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Company is currently assessing the impact on its current disclosures.