Recently Issued Accounting Standards

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

3. Recently issued accounting standards

New accounting guidance adopted:

In March 2017, the FASB issued a new standard which requires the presentation of the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. All other components of net periodic benefit cost will be presented below operating income. Additionally, only the service cost component will be eligible for capitalization in assets.  We adopted the standard beginning November 1, 2018.  During the three and six months ended April 30, 2018, the reclassification resulted in an increase in Other expense of $2,187 and $3,814, respectively, as a result of a decrease in Cost of goods sold of $187 and $157, respectively, and a decrease in Selling, general & administrative expenses of $2,000 and $3,657, respectively.   

New accounting guidance issued and not yet adopted:

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases with a lease term of more than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease.  While the Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, it is expected that the primary impact upon adoption will be the recognition, on a discounted basis, of the Company's minimum commitments under noncancelable operating leases as right of use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. It is expected that this could result in a substantial increase in assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets 

We will adopt the new standard on the required effective date of November 1, 2019 using the transition option, established by ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), Targeted Improvements (ASU 2018-11). This transition option was released by the FASB to reduce the cost and complexity associated with reflecting the new standard in prior periods presented. We will also elect the practical expedient package related to the identification of leases in contracts, lease classification, and accounting for initial direct costs whereby prior conclusions do not have to be reassessed for leases that commenced before the effective date. As we will not reassess such conclusions, we do not plan to adopt the practical expedient to use hindsight to determine the likelihood of whether a lease will be extended, terminated or whether a purchase option will be exercised. We have selected an enterprise-wide lease management system and we are advancing in the implementation process to assist in the related accounting.  A cross-functional implementation team is continuing to identify leases, determine policy elections, gather data, and implement changes to business processes and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued a new standard that changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable.  We will be required to use a current expected credit loss model that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables.  ASU 2016-13 does not prescribe a specific method to make an estimate so the application will require significant judgment and should consider historical information, current information, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and includes estimates of prepayment.  This guidance will become effective for us on November 1, 2020. We are currently assessing the impact this standard will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued a new standard which removes, modifies, and adds certain disclosure requirements on fair value measurements.  The guidance removes disclosure requirements pertaining to the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. For investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value, an entity is required to disclose the timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and the date when restrictions from redemption might lapse only if the investee has communicated the timing to the entity or announced the timing publicly.  In addition, the amendment clarifies that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. The guidance adds disclosure requirements for changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period as well as the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.  It will be effective for us beginning November 1, 2020.  Early adoption is permitted.  We are currently assessing the impact this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued a new standard which addresses defined benefit plans.  The amendments modify the following disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans: the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net period benefit cost over the next fiscal year, amount and timing of plan assets expected to be returned to the employer, related party disclosure about the amount of future annual benefits covered by insurance and annuity contracts and significant transactions between the employer or related parties and the plan, and the effects of a one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the (a) aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs and (b) benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits are removed.  A disclosure requirement was added for the explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period.  Additionally, the standard clarifies disclosure requirement surrounding the projected benefit obligation (PBO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBOs in excess of plan assets and the accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets.  It will be effective for us beginning November 1, 2020.  Early adoption is permitted.  We are currently assessing the impact this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.