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Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2026
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Business and Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business

Autodesk, Inc. (“Autodesk” or the “Company”) is a global leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment technology solutions, spanning architecture, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media, and entertainment. The Company’s sophisticated software products, offered through a hybrid of desktop and cloud functionality, enable its customers to design, fabricate, manufacture, and build anything by visualizing, simulating, and analyzing real-world performance early in the design process. These capabilities allow our customers to foster innovation, optimize their designs, streamline their manufacturing and construction processes, save time and money, improve quality, deliver more sustainable outcomes, communicate plans, and collaborate with others. Autodesk software products are sold globally through a combination of direct and indirect channels.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Autodesk and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in Autodesk’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. On a regular basis, management evaluates these estimates and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
Examples of significant estimates and assumptions made by management involve revenue recognition for product subscriptions and enterprise business arrangements (“EBAs”), the determination of the fair value of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, and the realizability of deferred tax assets. The Company also makes assumptions, judgments, and estimates in determining the accruals for uncertain tax positions, variable compensation, partner incentive programs, loss contingencies, and operating lease liabilities. 
Revenue Recognition

Autodesk’s revenue is divided into three categories: subscription revenue, maintenance revenue, and other revenue. Subscription revenue consists of our term-based product subscriptions, cloud service offerings, and flexible enterprise business agreements (“EBAs”).  Maintenance revenue consists of renewal fees for existing agreements. Other revenue consists of revenue from consulting and other products and services. Revenue is recognized when control for these offerings is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for products and services.

Autodesk’s contracts with customers may include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether the products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately or as a single performance obligation may require significant judgment. Judgment is required to determine the level of integration and interdependency between individual components of desktop software applications and cloud functionalities. This determination influences whether the desktop software is considered distinct and accounted for separately as a license performance obligation recognized at the time of delivery, or not distinct and accounted for together with the cloud functionalities as a single subscription performance obligation recognized over time.

For product subscriptions and flexible EBA subscriptions in which the desktop software and related cloud functionalities are highly interrelated, the single performance obligation is recognized ratably over the contract term as the subscription is delivered. For subscriptions involving distinct desktop software licenses, the license performance obligation is satisfied when delivered to our customers. For standalone maintenance subscriptions and cloud subscriptions, the performance obligation is
satisfied ratably over the contract term as those services are delivered. For consulting services and Flex, the performance obligation is satisfied over a period of time as those services are delivered.

When an arrangement includes multiple performance obligations which are concurrently delivered and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer (the services transfer to the customer over the contract period), we account for those performance obligations as a single performance obligation.

For contracts with more than one performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated among the performance obligations in an amount that depicts the relative standalone selling price (“SSP”) of each obligation. We establish SSP for most of our products and services based on observable prices when sold separately in similar circumstances or to similar customers. When products or services are not sold separately, we establish SSP based on other observable inputs.

Our indirect channel model includes both a two-tiered distribution structure, where Autodesk sells to distributors that subsequently sell to resellers, and a one-tiered structure where Autodesk sells directly to resellers. For these arrangements, transfer of control begins at the time access to our subscriptions is made available electronically to our customer, provided all other criteria for revenue recognition are met.
Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer

Sales commissions earned by our internal sales personnel and our solution providers are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. The commission costs are capitalized and included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and “Long-term other assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The liabilities associated with the commission costs are included in “Accounts payable”, “Accrued compensation”, and “Long-term other liabilities,” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred costs are then amortized over the period of benefit. Autodesk determined that sales commissions earned by internal sales personnel that are related to contract renewals are commensurate with sales commissions earned on the initial contracts, and we determined the period of benefit to be the term of the respective customer contract. Commissions paid to our solution providers that are related to contract renewals may either be commensurate or non-commensurate with commissions earned on the initial contract, depending on the commissions program. Costs for initial contracts that are non-commensurate with commissions on renewal contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of benefit. For non-commensurate commissions, we determined the estimated period of benefit by taking into consideration customer retention data, customer contracts, our technology, and other factors. Costs for initial contracts that are commensurate with commissions on renewal contracts are amortized based on the contract term, which ranges from 1 to 3 years. Deferred costs are periodically reviewed for impairment. Amortization expense is included in marketing and sales expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The ending balance of assets recognized from costs to obtain a contract with a customer was $913 million and $467 million as of January 31, 2026 and January 31, 2025, respectively. The liabilities associated with the commission costs were $550 million and $282 million as of January 31, 2026, and January 31, 2025, respectively. Amortization expense related to assets recognized from costs to obtain a contract with a customer was $536 million, $212 million, and $140 million during fiscal years ended January 31, 2026, 2025, and 2024, respectively. Autodesk did not recognize any contract cost impairment losses during the fiscal years ended January 31, 2026, 2025, or 2024.
Fair Value Measurement

We measure certain financial instruments at fair value on a recurring basis, including marketable securities and derivative instruments. Fair value is defined under ASC 820 as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. We use a three-level hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are observable inputs other than quoted prices, such as interest rates and yield curves. Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect our own assumptions.

Autodesk’s Level 2 securities and derivatives are valued primarily using observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. The Company has elected to use the income approach to value derivatives using the observable Level 2 market expectations at measurement date and standard valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount (discounted). Mid-market pricing is used as a practical expedient and when required, rates are interpolated from commonly quoted intervals published by market sources. We did not have any material Level 3 instruments as of the reporting date. Key inputs for currency derivatives are spot rates, forward rates, interest rates, volatility,
and credit default rates. The spot rate for each currency is the same spot rate used for all balance sheet translations at the measurement date. Autodesk reviews for any potential changes on a quarterly basis. See Note 3, “Financial Instruments” for more information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Autodesk considers all highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at estimated fair value.

Marketable Securities and Strategic Investments

Autodesk classifies its marketable securities as either short-term or long-term generally based on each instrument’s underlying contractual maturity date. Generally, marketable securities with remaining maturities of less than 12 months are classified as short-term and marketable securities with remaining maturities greater than 12 months are classified as long-term. Autodesk may sell certain of its marketable securities prior to their stated maturities for strategic purposes or in anticipation of credit deterioration. Marketable securities maturing within one year that are not restricted are classified as current assets.

Autodesk determines the appropriate classification of its marketable securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such classification as of each balance sheet date. Autodesk carries all “available-for-sale securities” at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in stockholders’ equity until disposition or maturity. Autodesk carries all “trading securities” at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, recorded in “Interest and other expense, net” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific-identification method.

The Company's strategic investments consist of privately held debt and equity securities. Under the measurement alternative method, strategic investments in equity securities are measured at cost, less any impairments, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer in the current period. The company’s strategic investments in debt and equity securities (Level 3) are valued using significant unobservable inputs or data in an inactive market and the valuation requires the Company’s judgment due to the absence of market prices and inherent lack of liquidity. These assumptions are inherently subjective and involve significant management judgment. In addition, the determination of whether an orderly transaction is for a same or similar investment requires management judgment including: the rights and obligations of the investments, the extent to which those differences would affect the fair values of those investments, and the impact of any differences based on the stage of operational development of the investee.

All of Autodesk’s marketable securities and strategic investments are subject to a periodic impairment review. Strategic investments in equity securities are assessed based on available information such as current cash positions, earnings, earnings and cash flow forecasts, recent operational performance and any other readily available market data. For any available-for-sale debt securities, if Autodesk does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that Autodesk will be required to sell the available-for-sale debt security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, Autodesk will determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is due to credit-related factors. The credit loss is measured as the amount by which the debt security’s amortized cost basis exceeds the estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, up to the difference between the amortized cost basis and the fair value. Impairment will be assessed at the individual security level. Credit-related impairment is recognized as an allowance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with a corresponding adjustment to “Interest and other expense, net” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any impairment that is not credit-related is recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Autodesk does not measure an allowance for credit losses on accrued interest receivables on available-for-sale debt securities separately. Autodesk writes off accrued interest receivables by reversing interest income in the period deemed uncollectible in “Interest and other expense, net” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Any accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities is recorded in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets,” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, as applicable.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Under its risk management strategy, Autodesk uses derivative instruments to manage its short-term exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that exist as part of ongoing business operations. Autodesk’s general practice is to hedge a portion of transaction exposures primarily denominated in Australian dollars, British pounds, Euros, Japanese yen,
and Singapore dollars. These instruments generally have maturities between one and 12 months in the future. Autodesk uses foreign currency contracts not designated as hedging instruments and foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges but Autodesk does not enter into derivative instrument transactions for trading or speculative purposes.

The bank counterparties to the derivative contracts potentially expose Autodesk to credit-related losses in the event of their nonperformance. However, to mitigate that risk, Autodesk only contracts with counterparties who meet the Company’s minimum requirements under its counterparty risk assessment process. Autodesk monitors counterparty risk on at least a quarterly basis and will adjust its exposure to various counterparties as necessary. Autodesk generally enters into master netting arrangements, which reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement of transactions with the same counterparty. Autodesk does not have any master netting arrangements in place with collateral features.

Autodesk accounts for these derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and carries them at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are adjusted to fair value through earnings.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The assets and liabilities of Autodesk’s foreign subsidiaries are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenue and expense amounts are translated at exchange rates that approximate those rates in effect during the period in which the underlying transactions occur. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

Gains and losses realized from foreign currency transactions, those transactions denominated in currencies other than the foreign subsidiary’s functional currency, are included in “Interest and other income, net.” Monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured using foreign currency exchange rates at the end of the period, and non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured based on historical exchange rates.
Allowance for Credit Loss

Allowances for uncollectible trade receivables and contract assets are subject to impairment using the expected credit loss model. Allowances for expected credit losses are measured based upon the lifetime expected credit loss which is based on historical experience, the number of days that billings are past due, reasonable economic forecast, including revised forecast data for the current economic environment, customer payment behavior, credit reports, and other customer-specific information.

Partner Incentive Program Reserves

As part of the indirect channel model, Autodesk has a partner incentive program that uses quarterly attainment of monetary rewards to motivate distributors and resellers to achieve mutually agreed upon business goals in a specified time period. The majority of these incentives are recorded as a reduction to accounts receivable and deferred revenue in the period the transaction is billed. The portion recorded as deferred revenue is subsequently recognized as a reduction to subscription revenue over the contract period. The remainder reduces subscription or other revenue in the current period.

These incentive balances do not require significant assumptions or judgments. Depending on how the payments are made, the reserves associated with the partner incentive program are recognized on the balance sheet as either a reduction to accounts receivable or recorded as accounts payable.

The following table summarizes the changes in partner incentive program reserves for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2026, 2025, and 2024:
Fiscal Year Ended January 31,
202620252024
Balance at beginning of fiscal year$74 $103 $90 
Additions charged to costs and expenses or revenues91 91 91 
Additions charged to deferred revenue696 908 980 
Deductions770 1,028 1,058 
Balances at end of fiscal year (1)$91 $74 $103 
 ____________________
(1)The partner program incentive reserves balance impacts "Accounts receivable, net" and "Accounts payable" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Concentration of Credit Risk

Autodesk places its cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities in highly liquid instruments with, and in the custody of, multiple diversified financial institutions globally with high credit ratings and limits the amounts invested with any one institution, type of security, and issuer. Autodesk’s primary commercial banking relationship is with Citigroup Inc. and its global affiliates. Citibank, N.A., an affiliate of Citigroup, is one of the lead lenders and an agent in the syndicate of Autodesk’s $1.5 billion revolving credit facility.

Autodesk’s accounts receivable are derived from sales to a large number of resellers, distributors, and direct customers in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), and Asia Pacific (“APAC”) geographies. Autodesk performs ongoing evaluations of these partners’ and customers’ financial condition and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary, but generally does not require collateral from such parties. Total revenue from the Company’s largest distributor TD Synnex Corporation, and its global affiliates (“TD Synnex”), accounted for 14%, 33%, and 39% of Autodesk's net revenue for fiscal years ended January 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The majority of the net revenue from sales to TD Synnex is from sales made outside of the United States. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of Autodesk’s total net revenue or trade accounts receivable for each of the respective periods.
Software Development Costs

Software development costs for external use incurred prior to the establishment of technological feasibility are included in research and development expenses. Autodesk defines establishment of technological feasibility as the completion of a working model. Software development costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility through the period of general market availability of the products are capitalized and generally amortized over a two-year period, if material. Autodesk had no capitalized software development costs at January 31, 2026 and 2025.
Cloud Computing Arrangements

Autodesk enters into certain cloud-based software hosting arrangements that are accounted for as service contracts. Costs incurred for these arrangements are capitalized for application development activities, if material, and immediately expensed for preliminary project activities and post-implementation activities. Autodesk amortizes the capitalized development costs straight-line over the fixed, non-cancellable term of the associated hosting arrangement plus any reasonably certain renewal periods. The capitalized costs are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and “Long-term other assets” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized costs were $380 million and $327 million at January 31, 2026, and January 31, 2025, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $175 million and $136 million at January 31, 2026, and January 31, 2025, respectively. Amortization expense was $43 million, $53 million, and $42 million in fiscal 2026, fiscal 2025, and fiscal 2024, respectively.
Leases

Autodesk determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease right-of-use assets represent Autodesk’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The operating lease right-of-use assets also include any lease payments made and are reduced by any lease incentives. Autodesk uses its incremental borrowing rate, if the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, adjusted for local country-specific borrowing rates as applicable, based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Options to extend or terminate the lease are considered in determining the lease term when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Autodesk has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. Autodesk accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
Business Combinations

Autodesk records the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination based on their estimated fair
values on the acquisition date, with the exception of contract assets and contract liabilities (i.e., deferred revenue) which are recognized and measured on the acquisition date in accordance with Autodesk’s “Revenue Recognition” policy in Note 1 “Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”. The fair values assigned to the identifiable intangible assets acquired are based on estimates and assumptions determined by management. Autodesk records the excess of consideration transferred over the aggregate fair values as goodwill. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, Autodesk may record adjustments to these assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

At least annually or more frequently as circumstances dictate, Autodesk reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever impairment indicators exist. When such circumstances occur, Autodesk assesses the recoverability of these assets.  Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amounts of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flow the assets are expected to generate generally using Level 3 inputs. If the long-lived assets are impaired, the impairment to be recognized is equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds its fair market value. See Note 9, “Leases” for further discussion on impairment charges of lease related right-of-assets.

In addition to the recoverability assessments, Autodesk routinely reviews the remaining estimated useful lives of its long-lived assets. Any reduction in the useful life assumption will result in increased depreciation and amortization expense in the quarter when such determinations are made, as well as in subsequent quarters.
Goodwill

Goodwill consists of the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Autodesk tests goodwill for impairment annually in its fourth fiscal quarter or more often if circumstances indicate a potential impairment may exist, or if events have affected the composition of its reporting unit. Autodesk tests goodwill for impairment by performing a quantitative assessment of whether fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying value. In situations in which an entity’s reporting unit is publicly traded, the fair value of the company may be approximated by its market capitalization, in performing the quantitative impairment test. Goodwill impairment exists when the estimated fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value.
Advertising Expenses

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Total advertising expenses incurred were $69 million in fiscal 2026, $54 million in fiscal 2025, and $64 million in fiscal 2024.
Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period and potentially dilutive common shares, including the effect of restricted stock units, performance share awards, and stock options using the treasury stock method.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The funded status of Autodesk’s defined benefit pension plans is recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation for the fiscal years presented. The projected benefit obligation represents the actuarial present value of benefits expected to be paid upon retirement based on employee services already rendered and estimated future compensation levels. The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of Autodesk’s cumulative company and participant contributions made to the various plans in effect.

Net periodic benefit cost is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and includes service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs, and gains or losses previously recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Certain events, such as changes in the employee base, plan amendments, and changes in actuarial assumptions may result in a change in the defined benefit obligation and the corresponding change to other comprehensive loss.
The measurement of projected benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost is based on estimates and assumptions that reflect the terms of the plans and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age and years of services, as well as certain assumptions, including estimates of discount rates, expected return of plan assets, rate of compensation increases, interest rates, and mortality rates.
Accounting Standards in Fiscal 2026

Accounting Standards Adopted

In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”), to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity's effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The standard is intended to benefit investors by providing more detailed income tax disclosures that would be useful in making capital allocation decisions and applies to all entities subject to income taxes. Autodesk provided the new disclosures required by ASU 2023-09 beginning with its annual financial statements for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2026.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”), which are intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements. ASU 2023-07 expands public entities’ segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, an amount and description of its composition for other segment items, and interim disclosures of a reportable segment’s profit or loss and assets. All disclosure requirements of ASU 2023-07 are required for entities with a single reportable segment. Autodesk adopted the annual disclosures of ASU 2023-07 for our fiscal year ended January 31, 2025 and adopted for interim periods beginning February 1, 2025.

Recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted

In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-06, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40)” (“ASU 2025-06”), which amends certain aspects of the accounting for and disclosure of software costs under Subtopic 350-40. ASU 2025-06 eliminates accounting consideration of software development “stages”. Cost capitalization will now begin solely when (1) management has authorized and committed to funding the software project, and (2) it is probable the project will be completed and the software used to perform its intended function (the probable-to-complete threshold). In evaluating the probable-to-complete recognition threshold, an entity is required to consider whether there is significant uncertainty associated with the development activities of the software. ASU 2025-06 specifies that the disclosures in Subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant, and Equipment—Overall, are required for all capitalized internal-use software costs, regardless of how those costs are presented in the financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2205-06 supersede the website development costs guidance and incorporate the recognition requirements for website-specific development costs from Subtopic 350-50 into Subtopic 350-40. ASU 2025-06 is effective for Autodesk’s fiscal year beginning February 1, 2028, and interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. Autodesk is currently evaluating the effect of adopting ASU 2025-06 on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures” (“ASU 2024-03”), which requires disaggregated disclosures, in the notes to the financial statements, of certain categories of expenses that are included in expense line items on the face of the income statement. ASU 2024-03 also requires a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively, disclosure of the total amount of selling expenses, and in annual reporting periods, Autodesk’s definition of selling expenses. ASU 2024-03 is effective for Autodesk’s fiscal year beginning February 1, 2027, and interim periods for Autodesk’s fiscal year beginning February 1, 2028. Early adoption is permitted. Autodesk is currently evaluating the effect of adopting ASU 2024-03 on its disclosures.

There have been no other recent accounting pronouncements during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026, that may have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.