Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Oshkosh and all of its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries and are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Accordingly, revenue is recognized when control of the goods or services promised under a contract are transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for the goods or services.

The Company has elected to apply the following practical expedients and accounting policy elections when determining revenue from contracts with customers and capitalization of related costs:

• Shipping and handling costs incurred after control of the related product has transferred to the customer are considered costs to fulfill the related promise and are included in “Cost of Sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Income when incurred or when the related product revenue is recognized, whichever is earlier.

• Except for the Fire & Emergency segment, the Company has elected to not adjust revenue for the effects of a significant finance component when the timing difference between receipt of payment and recognition of revenue is less than one year.

• Sales and similar taxes that are collected from customers are excluded from the transaction price.

• The Company has elected to expense incremental costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period of the related asset is expected to be less than one year.

See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s revenue recognition practices.

Assurance Warranty

Assurance Warranty — Provisions for estimated assurance warranties are recorded in cost of sales at the time of sale and are periodically adjusted to reflect actual experience. The amount of warranty liability accrued reflects management’s best estimate of the expected future cost of honoring Company obligations under the warranty plans. Historically, the cost of fulfilling the Company’s warranty obligations has principally involved replacement parts, labor and sometimes travel for any field retrofit campaigns. The Company’s estimates are based on historical experience, the extent of pre-production testing, the number of units involved and the extent of features/components included in product models. Also, each quarter, the Company reviews actual warranty claims experience to determine if there are systemic defects that would require a field campaign.

Research and Development and Similar Costs

Research and Development and Similar Costs — Except for customer sponsored research and development costs incurred pursuant to contracts (generally with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)), research and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of sales. Research and development costs charged to expense totaled $103.9 million, $99.0 million and $99.3 million during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Customer sponsored research and development costs incurred pursuant to contracts are accounted for as contract costs.

Advertising

Advertising — Advertising costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense and are expensed as incurred. These expenses totaled $16.0 million, $24.9 million and $21.1 million in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation — The Company recognizes stock-based compensation using the fair value provisions prescribed by ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. Accordingly, compensation costs for awards of stock-based compensation settled in shares are determined based on the fair value of the share-based instrument at the time of grant and are recognized as expense over the vesting period of the share-based instrument, net of estimated forfeitures. See Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s stock-based incentive plans.

Debt Financing Costs

Debt Financing Costs — Debt issuance costs on term debt are amortized using the interest method over the term of the debt. Deferred financing costs on lines of credit are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related lines of credit. Amortization expense was $3.6 million (including $1.8 million of amortization related to early debt retirement), $1.6 million and $5.6 million (including $3.2 million of amortization related to early debt retirement) in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes — Deferred income taxes are provided to recognize temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the income tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates and laws. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

The Company evaluates uncertain income tax positions in a two-step process. The first step is recognition, where the Company evaluates whether an individual tax position has a likelihood of greater than 50% of being sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. For tax positions that are currently estimated to have a less than 50% likelihood of being sustained, zero tax benefit is recorded. For tax positions that have met the recognition threshold in the first step, the Company performs the second step of measuring the benefit to be recorded. The actual benefits ultimately realized may differ from the Company’s estimates. In future periods, changes in facts and circumstances and new information may require the Company to change the recognition and measurement estimates with regard to individual tax positions. Changes in recognition and measurement estimates are recorded in results of operations and financial position in the period in which such changes occur.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — Based on Company estimates, the carrying amounts of cash equivalents, receivables, unbilled receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximated fair value as of September 30, 2020 and 2019. See Notes 5, 14, 21 and 22 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional fair value information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents at September 30, 2020 consisted principally of bank deposits and money market instruments.

Receivables

Receivables — Receivables consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers. The Company extends credit to customers in the normal course of business and maintains an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability or unwillingness of customers to make required payments. The accrual for estimated losses is based on the Company’s historical experience, existing economic conditions and any specific customer collection issues the Company has identified. Account balances are charged against the allowance when the Company determines it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.

Unbilled Receivables

Unbilled Receivables — Unbilled receivables consist of unbilled costs and accrued profits related to revenues on contracts with customers that have been recognized for accounting purposes but not yet billed to customers. In the Company’s Defense segment, amounts are billed as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms, either upon achievement of contractual milestones (e.g. acceptance of the vehicle) or at periodic intervals (e.g., biweekly or monthly). Generally, billing occurs subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in unbilled receivables (contract assets).

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, unbilled receivables and guarantees of certain customers’ obligations under deferred payment contracts and lease purchase agreements.

The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents, and other financial instruments, with various major financial institutions. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of these financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any institution.

Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts and lease receivables is limited due to the large number of customers and their dispersion across many geographic areas. However, a significant amount of trade and lease receivables are with the U.S. government, with rental companies globally, with companies in the ready-mix concrete industry, with municipalities and with several large waste haulers in the United States. The Company continues to monitor credit risk associated with its trade receivables.

Inventories

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for 83% and 84% of the Company’s inventories at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the remaining inventories, cost has been determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation expense is recognized over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets using straight-line and accelerated methods. The estimated useful lives range from ten to forty years for buildings and improvements, from four to twenty-five years for machinery and equipment and from three to ten years for software and related costs. The Company capitalizes interest on borrowings during the active construction period of major capital projects. All capitalized interest has been added to the cost of the underlying assets and is amortized over the useful lives of the assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill — Goodwill reflects the cost of an acquisition in excess of the aggregate fair value assigned to identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized; however, it is assessed for impairment at least annually and as triggering events or “indicators of potential impairment” occur. The Company performs its annual impairment test as of July 1 of each fiscal year. The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill by estimating the fair value of the businesses to which the goodwill relates. Estimated cash flows and related goodwill are grouped at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or, under certain circumstances, a component of an operating segment. When the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, a further analysis is performed to measure and recognize the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Impairment losses, limited to the carrying value of goodwill, represent the excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill.

In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, it is necessary to estimate the fair value of the reporting units. The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill utilizing the income approach and the market approach. The Company weighted the income approach more heavily (75%) as the Company believes the income approach more accurately considers long-term fluctuations in the U.S. and European construction markets than the market approach. Under the income approach, the Company determines fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of a reporting unit and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn. Estimated future cash flows are based on the Company’s internal projection models, industry projections and

other assumptions deemed reasonable by management. Rates used to discount estimated cash flows correspond to the Company’s cost of capital, adjusted for risk where appropriate, and are dependent upon interest rates at a point in time. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment. Under the market approach, the Company derives the fair value of its reporting units based on revenue and earnings multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies. It is possible that assumptions underlying the impairment analysis will change in such a manner that impairment in value may occur in the future. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the Company’s annual impairment testing.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — Property, plant and equipment, right-of-use (“ROU”) lease assets and amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the related asset or group of assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset or group of assets.

Non-amortizable trade names are assessed for impairment at least annually and as triggering events or “indicators of potential impairment” occur. The Company performs its annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year. The Company evaluates the potential impairment by estimating the fair value of the non-amortizing intangible assets using the “relief from royalty” method. When the fair value of the non-amortizable trade name is less than the carrying value of the trade name, a further analysis is performed to measure and recognize the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Impairment losses, limited to the carrying value of the non-amortizable trade name, represent the excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value of that non-amortizable trade name.

Customer Advances

Customer Advances — Customer advances include amounts received in advance of the completion of vehicles in the Fire & Emergency and Commercial segments. Most of these advances bear interest at fixed rates that approximate the prime rate at the time of the advance.

Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other Long-Term Liabilities — Other long-term liabilities are comprised principally of the portions of the Company’s pension liability, other post-employment benefit liability, tax liability, accrued warranty, accrued product liability and lease liabilities that are not expected to be settled in the subsequent twelve month period.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation — All balance sheet accounts have been translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income statement amounts have been translated using the average exchange rate during the period in which the transactions occurred. Resulting translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in “Miscellaneous, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recorded a net foreign currency transaction loss of $2.7 million in fiscal 2020, a net foreign currency transaction gain of $2.1 million in fiscal 2019 and a net foreign currency transaction loss of $3.8 million in fiscal 2018.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments — The Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments, such as foreign exchange contracts, in the consolidated financial statements at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the instrument. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or in equity as a component of comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies for hedge accounting, and if so, whether it qualifies as a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge. Generally, changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in income along with the portions of the changes in the fair values of the hedged items that relate to the hedged risks. Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Changes in fair value of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in income. Cash flows from derivatives that are accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same category as the item being hedged.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to reflect most leases on their balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding ROU assets, while leaving presentation of lease expense in the statement of income largely unchanged. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The Company adopted the new standard on October 1, 2019 following the modified retrospective method of transition. Prior period comparative information was not recast to reflect the impact of the new standard and therefore continues to be reported under the accounting guidance in effect during those periods (ASC 840).

The new standard provided a number of optional practical expedients for transition. The Company elected to adopt the standard using the package of practical expedients, which allowed the Company not to reassess prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. In addition, the new standard provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing lessee accounting. The Company has elected not to separate payments for lease components from payments for non-lease components for any classes of assets. The Company has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, which means ROU assets and lease liabilities are not recognized for leases with an initial term of twelve months or less.

The most significant quantitative effect of adoption relates to the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for operating leases. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

The cumulative effect of initially applying the new leasing standard to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of October 1, 2019 was as follows (in millions):

	Balance as of September 30, 2019		Cumulative Impact from Adopting New Lease Standard			Balance as of October 1, 2019
Assets
Other current assets	$	78.9	$	(0.5	)	$	78.4
Total current assets		3,408.3		(0.5	)		3,407.8
Other long-term assets		156.4		179.5			335.9
Total assets		5,566.3		179.0			5,745.3
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Other current liabilities	$	307.3	$	46.4		$	353.7
Total current liabilities		1,741.9		46.4			1,788.3
Other long-term liabilities		405.6		132.6			538.2
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		5,566.3		179.0			5,745.3

See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s accounting for leases.

Standards not yet adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard requires a change in the measurement approach for credit losses on financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis from an incurred loss method to an expected loss method, thereby eliminating the requirement that a credit loss be considered probable to impact the valuation of a financial asset measured on an amortized cost basis. The standard requires the measurement of expected credit losses to be based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable forecast that affects the collectability of the related financial asset. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on October 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The standard simplifies the measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement that an entity compute the implied fair value of goodwill based on the fair values of its assets and liabilities to measure impairment. Instead, goodwill impairment will be measured as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the carrying value of the reporting unit. The standard also clarifies the treatment of the income tax effect of tax-deductible goodwill when measuring goodwill impairment loss. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 on October 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 prospectively on October 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The standard simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intra-period tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under U.S. GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The Company will be required to adopt ASU 2019-12 as of October 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of 2019-12 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.