RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Text Block]

Note2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We consider the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs). ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated result of operations, financial position and cash flows (consolidated financial statements).

In May 2014, and in following related amendments, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The effective date is for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We have not yet selected a transition method. We expect that our disclosures in our notes to consolidated financial statements related to revenue recognition will be significantly expanded under the new standard. The FASB has issued, and may issue in the future, interpretive guidance which may cause our evaluation to change. We believe we are following an appropriate timeline to allow for proper recognition, presentation and disclosure upon adoption effective the beginning of fiscal year 2018.

We are still finalizing the analysis to quantify the adoption impact of the new standard, but we do not currently expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Based on the evaluation of our current contracts and revenue streams, most will be recorded consistently under both the current and new standard. We expect the new standard will have no cash impact and, as such, does not affect the economics of our underlying customer contracts. However, we expect the guidance in certain areas, particularly in our Aerospace segment, to impact our current revenue recognition policies.

The current accounting policy for costs incurred for nonrecurring engineering and development activities of our Aerospace products under agreements with commercial customers is generally to expense as incurred. Any customer funding received for such efforts is recognized when earned as a reduction of cost of sales. Under the new guidance, customer funding for such expenses incurred must be assessed to determine whether the contract is within the scope of the new revenue standard, and if so, determine the appropriate timing of the recognition of funding and related income statement classification. We are continuing to evaluate the impact for these activities.

In addition, we expect revenues for our mechanical service programs at our Aerospace business to continue to be recognized over time and not point in time, but under the new guidance the timing may change to reflect the impact of recognition as a series of distinct services using the output method. With the adoption of the standard, certain unbilled receivables or deferred revenue will be eliminated through retained earnings, but we do not expect a material impact.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for leases which requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The guidance requires enhanced disclosures regarding the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases and will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance requires the use of a modified retrospective approach. We are evaluating the impact of the guidance on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill impairment. The new guidance eliminates the two-step process that required identification of potential impairment and a separate measure of the actual impairment. Goodwill impairment charges, if any, would be determined by reducing the goodwill balance by the difference between the carrying value and the reporting unit’s fair value (impairment loss is limited to the carrying value). This standard is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance on presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The new standard requires that an employer disaggregate the service costs components of net benefit cost. The employer is required to report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component, such as in other income and expense. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This guidance will impact the presentation of our consolidated financial statements. Our current presentation of service cost components is consistent with the requirements of the new standard. Upon our adoption of the new standard, we expect to present the other components within Other (income) expense (we currently present within Cost of products and services sold and Selling, general, and administrative expenses). All components will continue to be excluded from Segment Profit (see Note 10 Segment Financial Data).