Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business— Ebix, Inc., and its subsidiaries, (“Ebix” or the “Company”) is a leading international supplier of on-demand infrastructure Exchanges to the insurance, financial, and healthcare industries. In the Insurance sector, the Company’s main focus is to develop and deploy a wide variety of insurance and reinsurance exchanges on an on-demand basis, while also providing SaaS enterprise solutions in the area of CRM, front-end & back-end systems, outsourced administrative and risk compliance. The Company's products feature fully customizable and scalable on-demand software designed to streamline the way insurance professionals manage distribution, marketing, sales, customer service, and accounting activities. With a "Phygital” strategy that combines physical distribution outlets in many ASEAN countries to a Omni-channel online digital platform, the Company’s EbixCash Financial exchange portfolio encompasses leadership in areas of domestic & international money remittance, travel, pre-paid & gift cards, utility payments, etc., in an emerging country like India. EbixCash through its travel portal Via.com is also one of South East Asia’s leading travel exchanges with distribution outlets and corporate clients processing millions of transactions every year. The Company has its headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia and also conducts operating activities in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, Brazil, Philippines, Indonesia, and United Arab Emirates. International revenue accounted for 41.8%, 28.4%, and 22.7% of the Company’s total revenue in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

The Company’s revenues are derived from four product/service groups. Presented in the table below is the breakout of our revenue streams for each of those product/service groups for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015.



	For the Year Ended
	December 31,
(dollar amounts in thousands)		2017		2016		2015
Exchanges		$	259,470	$	206,427	$	190,746
Broker P&C Systems		14,674		14,105		14,481
RCS		86,832		74,196		55,917
Carrier P&C Systems		2,995		3,566		4,338
Totals		$	363,971	$	298,294	$	265,482

The Company is continuing to evaluate the classification of the 2017 acquisitions that collectively make up the EbixCash Financial Exchanges, refer to Part I, Item I Business. Currently they are reported under Exchange channel, but is subject to change based on the conclusions of our evaluations.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation— The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ebix and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The effect of inter-company balances and transactions has been eliminated.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("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 dates of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during those reporting periods. Management has made material estimates primarily with respect to revenue recognition and deferred revenue, accounts receivable, acquired intangible assets, annual impairment reviews of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, investments, contingent earnout liabilities in connection with business acquisitions, and the provision for income taxes. Actual results may be materially different from those estimates.

Reclassification—As part of the Wdev acquisition $2.9 million of the upfront cash consideration is being held in an escrow account for the thirty-eight month period following the effective date of the acquisition to ensure that the acquired business achieves the minimum specified annual net revenue threshold, which if not achieved will result in said funds being returned to Ebix. This amount which was previously reported in "Restricted Cash" on our December 31, 2016 condensed consolidated balance sheets, is now being reported in "Other Assets" line in the long term asset section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, as of December 31, 2016 there was $14.4 million of restricted fiduciary funds associated with the EbixHealth JV that pertain to un-remitted insurance premiums and claim funds established for the benefit of various carriers which are held in a fiduciary capacity until disbursed. This amount which was previously reported in "Restricted Cash" on our December 31, 2016 condensed consolidated balance sheets, is now being reported in "Fiduciary funds restricted" line in the short term asset section of the condensed consolidated balance sheets

Segment Reporting—Since the Company, from the perspective of its chief operating decision maker, allocates resources and evaluates business performance as a single entity that provides software and related services to various industries on a worldwide basis, the Company reports as a single segment. The applicable enterprise-wide disclosures are included in Note 14.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Such investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company does maintain cash balances in banking institutions in excess of federally insured amounts and therefore is exposed to the related potential credit risk associated with such cash deposits.

Short-term Investments—The Company’s primary short-term investments consist of certificates of deposits with established commercial banking institutions in India that have readily determinable fair values. Ebix accounts for such investments that are reasonably expected to be realized in cash, sold or consumed during the year as short-term investments that are available-for-sale. The carrying amount of investments in marketable securities approximates their fair value. The carrying value of our short-term investments was $25.59 million and $3.11 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Restricted Cash—As part of Ebix entering into a joint venture with India-based Essel Group, while acquiring an 80% stake in ItzCash $4.0 million of the possible future contingent earn-out payments is being held in escrow accounts for the twelve month period following the effective date of the acquisition to ensure that the acquired business achieves the minimum specified annual gross revenue threshold, which if not achieved will result in said funds being returned to Ebix. The carrying value of our restricted cash was $4.0 million and zero at December 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively.

Fiduciary Funds - Restricted—Due to the EbixHealth JV being a third party administrator (“TPA”), the Company collects premiums from insureds and, after deducting its fees, remits these premiums to insurance companies. Unremitted insurance premiums and/or claim funds established for the benefit of various carriers are held in a fiduciary capacity until disbursed by the Company. The use of premiums collected from insureds but not yet remitted to insurance companies is restricted by law in certain states. The total assets held on behalf of others, $8.0 million, are recorded as an asset and offsetting fiduciary funds - restricted liability.

Fair Value Measurements—The Company follows the relevant GAAP guidance regarding the determination and measurement of the fair value of assets/liabilities in which fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction valuation hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance describes the following three levels of inputs that may be used in the methodology to measure fair value:


•	Level 1 — Quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date;


•	Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date; and,


•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs, which are to be used in situations where there is little or no market activity for the asset or liability and wherein the reporting entity makes estimates and assumptions related to the pricing of the asset or liability including assumptions regarding risk.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company has the following financial instruments to which it had to consider fair values and had to make fair assessments:


•	Short-term investments (commercial bank certificates of deposits and mutual funds), for which the fair values are measured as a Level 1 instrument.

•

Contingent accrued earn-out business acquisition consideration liabilities for which fair values are measured as Level 3 instruments. These contingent consideration liabilities were recorded at fair value on the acquisition date and are remeasured periodically based on the then assessed fair value and adjusted if necessary. The increases or decreases in the fair value of contingent consideration payable can result from changes in anticipated revenue levels or changes in assumed discount periods and rates. As the fair value measure is based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, they are categorized as Level 3.

Other financial instruments not measured at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 but which require disclosure of their fair values include: cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, accrued payroll and related benefits, capital lease obligations, and debt under the credit facility with Regions Bank. The estimated fair value of such instruments at December 31, 2017 and 2016 reasonably approximates their carrying value as reported on the consolidated balance sheets.

Additional information regarding the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis is presented in the following tables:



	Fair Values at Reporting Date Using*
Descriptions	Balance at December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(In thousands)
Assets
Commercial bank certificates of deposits ($2.19 million is recorded in the long term asset section of the consolidated balance sheets in "Other Assets")	$	22,293	$	22,293	$	—	$	—
Mutual Funds ($785 thousand recorded in the long term asset section of the consolidated balance sheets in "Other Assets")	6,278		6,278		—		—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	28,571	$	28,571	$	—	$	—

Liabilities
Derivatives:
Contingent accrued earn-out acquisition consideration (a)	37,096		—		—		37,096
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	37,096	$	—	$	—	$	37,096

(a) The income valuation approach is applied and the valuation inputs include the contingent payment arrangement terms, projected cash flows, rate of return, and probability assessments.
* During the year ended December 31, 2017 there were no transfers between fair value Levels 1, 2 or 3.



	Fair Values at Reporting Date Using*
Descriptions	Balance at December 31, 2016		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(In thousands)
Assets
Commercial bank certificates of deposits ($925 thousand is recorded in the long term asset section of the consolidated balance sheets in "Other Assets")	$	4,030	4,030		—		—
Total assets measured at fair value	$	4,030	$	4,030	$	—	$	—

Liabilities
Derivatives:
Contingent accrued earn-out acquisition consideration (a)	8,510		—		—		8,510
Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	8,510	$	—	$	—	$	8,510

(a) The income valuation approach is applied and the valuation inputs include the contingent payment arrangement terms, projected cash flows, rate of return, and probability assessments.
* During the year ended December 31, 2016 there were no transfers between fair value Levels 1, 2 or 3.

For the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), the following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for each category therein, and gains or losses recognized during the year.



Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Contingent Liability for Accrued Earn-out Acquisition Consideration	Balance at December 31, 2017			Balance at December 31, 2016
	(in thousands)

Beginning balance	$	8,510		4,277

Total remeasurement adjustments:
(Gains) or losses included in earnings **	(164		)	(1,344		)
Reductions recorded against goodwill	(4,007		)	(664		)
Foreign currency translation adjustments ***	522			(208		)

Acquisitions and settlements
Business acquisitions	34,156			6,449
Settlements	(1,921		)	—

Ending balance	$	37,096		$	8,510

The amount of total (gains) or losses for the year included in earnings or changes to net assets, attributable to changes in unrealized (gains) or losses relating to assets or liabilities still held at year-end.	$	—		$	(624	)

** recorded as a component of reported general and administrative expenses
*** recorded as a component of other comprehensive income within stockholders' equity

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's contingent consideration liabilities designated as Level 3 are as follows:

Sensitivity to Changes in Significant Unobservable Inputs

As presented in the table above, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of contingent consideration related to business acquisitions are forecasts of expected future annual revenues as developed by the Company's management and the probability of achievement of those revenue forecasts. The discount rate used in these calculations is 13.5%. Significant increases (decreases) in these unobservable inputs in isolation would likely result in a significantly (lower) higher fair value measurement.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue—The Company derives its revenues primarily from professional and support services, which includes revenue generated from subscription and transaction fees pertaining to services delivered over our exchanges or from our application service provider (“ASP”) platforms, software development projects and associated fees for consulting, implementation, training, and project management provided to customers using our systems, and risk compliance solutions ("RCS"). Sales and value-added taxes are not included in revenues, but rather are recorded as a liability until the taxes assessed are remitted to the respective taxing authorities.

The Company follows the relevant technical accounting guidance regarding revenue recognition as issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company considers revenue earned and realizable when: (a) persuasive evidence of the sales arrangement exists, (b) the arrangement fee is fixed or determinable, (c) service delivery or performance has occurred, (d) customer acceptance has been received or is reasonably assured, if contractually required, and (e) collectability of the arrangement fee is probable. The Company typically uses signed contractual agreements, purchase orders, or statements of work as persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement. We apply the provisions of the relevant FASB accounting pronouncements related to all transactions involving the license of software where the software deliverables are considered more than inconsequential to the other elements in the arrangement. For contracts that contain multiple deliverables, we analyze the revenue arrangements in accordance with the appropriate authoritative guidance, which provides criteria governing how to determine whether goods or services that are delivered separately in a bundled sales arrangement should be considered as separate units of accounting for the purpose of revenue recognition. Deliverables are accounted for separately if they meet all of the following criteria: a) the delivered item has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis; b) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value for all arrangement deliverables; and c) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered items, the delivery or performance of the undelivered items is probable and substantially controlled by the Company. Under the relevant accounting guidance, when multiple-deliverables included in an arrangement are to be separated into different units of accounting, the arrangement consideration is allocated to the identified separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values. We determine the relative selling price for a deliverable based on vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price (“VSOE”), if available, or third-party evidence ("TPE") in the alternative if available, or finally our best estimate of selling price (“BESP”), if VSOE or TPE is not available.

The Company begins to recognize revenue from license fees for its exchange (SAAS) and ASP products upon granting customer access to the respective processing platform. Transaction services fee revenue for this use of our exchanges or ASP platforms is recognized as the transactions occur and is generally billed in arrears. Revenues from RCS arrangements, which include data entry and call center services, and insurance certificate creation and tracking services, are recognized as the services are performed. Revenues from RCS consulting arrangements are recognized as the services are delivered on a time and materials basis. Service fees for hosting arrangements are recognized over the requisite service period. Revenue derived from the licensing of third party software products in connection with sales of the Company’s software licenses is recognized upon delivery together with the Company’s licensed software products. Fees for training, data conversion, installation, and consulting services fees are recognized as revenue when the services are performed. Revenues for maintenance and support services are recognized ratably over the term of the support agreement.

Software development arrangements involving significant customization, modification or production are accounted for in accordance with the appropriate technical accounting guidance issued by the FASB using the percentage-of-completion method. The Company recognizes revenue using periodic reported actual hours worked as a percentage of total expected hours required to complete the project arrangement and applies the percentage to the total arrangement fee.

Financial exchange revenue consists largely of transaction-based fees and fees from corporate and retail gift vouchers. The transaction-based fees are primarily based on a percentage of payment value processed for solutions such as retail and corporate payments, domestic money transfers, and general purpose reloadable cards. Transaction-based fees are recognized at the completion of the transaction. Gift voucher revenue is recognized at full purchase value at time of sale with the corresponding cost of vouchers recorded under direct expenses.

Deferred revenue includes payments or billings that have been received or made prior to performance and, in certain cases, cash collections and primarily pertain to maintenance and support fees, initial setup or registration fees under hosting agreements, software license fees received in advance of delivery and acceptance, and software development fees paid in advance of completion and delivery. Approximately $5.2 million and $6.0 million of deferred revenue were included in billed accounts receivable at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Accounts Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable—Reported accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 include $94.5 million of trade receivables stated at invoice billed amounts and $23.3 million of unbilled receivables (net of a $4.1 million estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable). Reported accounts receivable at December 31, 2016 include $51.8 million of trade receivables stated at invoice billed amounts and $10.9 million of unbilled receivables (net of a $2.8 million estimated allowance for doubtful accounts receivable). The unbilled receivables pertain to certain professional service engagements and system development projects for which the timing of billing is tied to contractual milestones. The Company is continuing to evaluate the 2017 acquisitions that collectively make up the EbixCash Financial Exchanges, refer to Part I, Item I Business, and their impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company adheres to such contractually stated performance milestones and accordingly issues invoices to customers as per contract billing schedules. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable when the Company has exhausted all reasonable collection efforts. Management specifically analyzes the aging of accounts receivable and historical bad debts, write-offs, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends, and changes in our customer payment patterns when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable. Bad debt expense was $1.7 million, $1.5 million, and $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Costs of Services Provided—Costs of services provided consist of data processing costs, customer support costs including personnel costs to maintain our proprietary databases, costs to provide customer call center support, hardware and software expense associated with transaction processing systems and exchanges, telecommunication and computer network expense, and occupancy costs associated with facilities where these functions are performed. Depreciation expense is not included in costs of services provided.

Capitalized Software Development Costs—In accordance with the relevant FASB accounting guidance regarding the development of software to be sold, leased, or marketed, the Company expenses such costs as they are incurred until technological feasibility has been established, at and after which time those costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release to customers. Costs incurred to enhance our software products, after general market release of the services using the products, is expensed in the period they are incurred. The periodic expense for the amortization of previously capitalized software development costs is included in costs of services provided.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets—Goodwill represents the cost in excess of the fair value of the identifiable net assets from the businesses that we acquire. In accordance with the relevant FASB accounting guidance, goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or on an interim basis if an event occurred or circumstances change that would indicate that fair value of a reporting unit decreased below its carrying value. Potential impairment indicators include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, customer retention and the sale or disposition of a significant portion of the business. The Company applies the technical accounting guidance

concerning goodwill impairment evaluation whereby the Company first assesses certain qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances would indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of any of our reporting units was less than its carrying amount. If after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we were to determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we would perform the two-step quantitative impairment testing described further below.

The aforementioned two-step quantitative testing process involves comparing the reporting unit carrying values to their respective fair values; we determine fair value of our reporting units by applying the discounted cash flow method using the present value of future estimated net cash flows. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then no further testing is required. However, if a reporting unit’s fair value were to be less than its carrying value, we would then determine the amount of the impairment charge, if any, which would be the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeded its implied value. We perform our annual goodwill impairment evaluation and testing as of September 30 each year. In 2017 the goodwill residing in the Broker Systems reporting unit, was evaluated for impairment based on an assessment of certain qualitative factors, and was determined not to have been impaired. In 2017 the goodwill residing in the Exchange reporting unit, the RCS reporting unit, and the Carrier reporting unit were evaluated for impairment using step-one of the quantitative testing process described above. The fair value of both of these reporting units were found to be greater than their carrying value, and thusly there was no need to proceed to step-two, as there was no impairment indicated. In specific regards to the Risk Compliance Solutions reporting unit, its assessed fair value was $158.0 million which was $42.4 million or 36.7% in excess of its $115.6 million carrying value. Key assumptions used in the fair value determination were annual revenue growth rates of 7.5% to 12.5% and discount rate of 16%. As of September 30, 2017 there was $78.2 million of goodwill assigned to the RCS reporting unit. A significant reduction in future revenues for the RCS reporting unit would negatively affect the fair value determination for this unit and may result in an impairment to goodwill and a corresponding charge against earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we had no impairment of any our reporting unit goodwill balances.

Projections of cash flows are based on our views of revenue growth rates, operating costs, anticipated future economic conditions, the appropriate discount rates relative to risk, and estimates of residual values and terminal values. We believe that our estimates are consistent with assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their estimates of fair value. The use of different estimates or assumptions for our projected discounted cash flows (e.g., revenue growth rates, future economic conditions, discount rates, and estimates of terminal values) when determining the fair value of our reporting units could result in different values and may result in a goodwill impairment charge. As a practice, the Company closely monitors any reporting units that do not have a significantly higher fair value in excess of their carrying value.

The following table summarizes the adjustments to goodwill, recorded in connection with the acquisitions, that occurred during 2017 and 2016:



Company acquired	Date acquired	(in thousands)
Oakstone; final purchase allocation adjustments	December 2014	$	948
EbixHealth JV; final purchase allocation adjustments	July 2016	(7,500		)
Hope Health; final purchase allocation adjustments	November 2016	(289		)
Wdev; final purchase allocation adjustments	November 2016	(5,317		)
ItzCash	April 2017	119,766
beBetter	June 2017	447
YouFirst	September 2017	7,395
Wall Street	October 2017	6,113
Paul Merchants	November 2017	38,589
Via	November 2017	60,785
Total changes to goodwill during 2017		$	220,937

PB Systems; final purchase allocation adjustments	June 2015	$	4,298
EbixHealth JV	July 2016	20,839
Hope Health	November 2016	1,333
Wdev	November 2016	13,615
Total changes to goodwill during 2016		$	40,085

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:



	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Beginning Balance	$	441,404		$	402,259
Additions for current year acquisitions	233,095			35,787
Purchase accounting adjustments for prior year acquisitions	(12,158		)	4,298
Foreign currency translation adjustments	4,522			(940		)
Ending Balance	$	666,863		$	441,404

The Company’s indefinite-lived assets are associated with the estimated fair value of the contractual customer relationships existing with the property and casualty insurance carriers in Australia using our property and casualty ("P&C") data exchange and with certain large corporate customers using our client relationship management (“CRM”) platform in the United States. Prior to these underlying business acquisitions Ebix had pre-existing contractual relationships with these carriers and corporate clients. The contracts are renewable at little or no cost, and Ebix intends to continue to renew these contracts indefinitely and has the ability to do so. The proprietary technology supporting the P&C data exchange and CRM platform that is used to deliver services to these carriers and corporate clients, cannot feasibly be effectively replaced in the foreseeable future, and accordingly the cash flows forthcoming from these customers are expected to continue indefinitely. With respect to the determination of the indefinite life, the Company considered the expected use of these intangible assets, historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements, and the effects of competition, and concluded that there were no indications from these factors to suggest that the expected useful life of these customer relationships would be finite. The Company concluded that no legal, regulatory, contractual, or competitive factors limited the useful life of these intangible assets and therefore their life was considered to be indefinite, and accordingly the Company expects these customer relationships to remain the same for the foreseeable future.

Additionally based on the final purchase price allocation valuation report of the EbixHealth JV, See Note 3 and 17 for further explanations, it was concluded that the value of the indefinite-lived intangibles identified as indefinite-lived customer relationships to be $11.2 million. The EbixHealth JV is a full-service third-party administrator (“TPA”) that specializes in the management, administration, and distribution of health benefit plans. Services include marketing support, underwriting, billing, claims processing, and cost containment such as utilization review and medical case management for fully-insured, self-funded and partially self-funded benefit plans, as well as international groups and individuals. As a TPA, the Company collects premiums from insureds and, after deducting its fees, remits these premiums to insurance companies. Unremitted insurance premiums and/or claim funds established for the benefit of various carriers are held in a fiduciary capacity until disbursed by the Company. The Company administers and collects the insurance premiums for the products of three affiliated insurance carriers which is part of the consolidated company IHC Health Holdings Corporation ("IHC") a 49% shareholder of the EbixHealth JV. The administrative agreements with the three affiliates accounted for approximately 83% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. IHC is therefore considered a major customer of the EbixHealth JV and therefore considered indefinite-lived. The churn expected for indefinite-lived customers is assumed at 0%. The fair values of these indefinite-lived intangible assets were based on the analysis of discounted cash flow (“DCF”) models extended out fifteen years with a terminal value. In that indefinite-lived does not imply an infinite life, but rather means that the subject customer relationships are expected to extend beyond the foreseeable time horizon, we utilized fifteen year DCF projections with a terminal value, as the valuation models that were applied consider this time frame to be an indefinite period. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment annually. We perform our annual impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets as of September 30th of each year. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we had no impairments to the recorded balances of our indefinite-lived intangible assets. We perform the impairment test for our indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the asset’s fair value to its carrying value. An impairment charge is recognized if the asset’s estimated fair value is less than its carrying value.

Purchased Intangible Assets—Purchased intangible assets represent the estimated fair value of acquired intangible assets from the businesses that we acquire in the U.S. and foreign countries in which we operate. These purchased intangible assets include customer relationships, developed technology, informational databases, and trademarks. We amortize these intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, as follows:



	Life
Category	(yrs)
Customer relationships	7-20
Developed technology	3-12
Dealer networks	15-20
Trademarks	3-15
Non-compete agreements	5
Database	10

Intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, are as follows:



	December 31,
	2017			2016
	(In thousands)
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	73,725		$	71,338
Developed technology	15,076			16,011
Dealer networks	10,581			—
Trademarks	2,698			2,666
Non-compete agreements	764			764
Backlog	140			140
Database	212			212
Total intangibles	103,196			91,131
Accumulated amortization	(57,485		)	(49,795		)
Finite-lived intangibles, net	$	45,711		$	41,336

Indefinite-lived intangibles:
Customer/territorial relationships	$	42,055		$	30,887

Income Taxes— The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes pursuant to the pertinent guidance issued by the FASB. Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities, and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards, and their financial reporting amounts at each period end using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. In assessing the realizability of the 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. A valuation allowance is recorded, if necessary, for the portion of the deferred tax assets that are not expected to be realized based on the levels of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the temporary differences will be deductible.

The Company follows the provisions of FASB accounting guidance on accounting for uncertain income tax positions. The guidance utilizes a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Recognition (“Step 1”) occurs when an enterprise concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (“Step 2”) is only addressed if Step 1 has been satisfied. Under Step 2, the tax benefit is measured at the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis that is more likely than not to be realized upon final settlement. As used in this context, the term “more likely than not” is interpreted to mean that the likelihood of occurrence is greater than 50%.

While the changes from the TCJA are generally effective beginning in 2018, U.S. GAAP accounting for income taxes requires the effect of a change in tax laws or rates to be recognized in income from continuing operations for the period that includes the enactment date. Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the enactment of the TCJA, the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB No. 118”) allowed the Company to record provisional amounts in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017. Where reasonable estimates can be made, the provisional accounting should be based on such estimates. When no reasonable estimate can be made, the provisional accounting may be based on the tax law in effect before the TCJA. The Company is required to complete its tax accounting for the TCJA within a one-year period when it has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information to complete the income tax accounting. Due to insufficient guidance, as well as the availability of information to accurately analyze the impact of the TCJA, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects, as described in Note 8, and in other cases we have not been able to make a reasonable estimate and continue to account for those items based on our existing accounting under FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes and the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to enactment.

On December 22, 2017, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) was enacted into law and the new legislation contains several key tax provisions that affected us, including a one-time mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings and a reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018, among others. We are required to recognize the effect of the tax law changes in the period of enactment, such as determining the transition tax, re-measuring our U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities as well as reassessing the net realizability of our deferred tax assets and liabilities. In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (SAB 118), which allows us to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date. The Company is required to complete its tax accounting for the TCJA within a one-year period when it has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information to complete the income tax accounting. Due to insufficient guidance, as well as the availability of information to accurately analyze the impact of the TCJA, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects, as described in Note 8, and in other cases we have not been able to make a reasonable estimate and continue to account for those items based on our existing accounting under FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes and the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to enactment.

Foreign Currency Translation—The functional currency for the Company's main foreign subsidiaries in India, Singapore and Dubai is the U.S. dollar because the intellectual property research and development activities provided by its Singapore and Dubai subsidiaries, and the product development and information technology enabled services activities for the insurance industry provided by its India subsidiary, both in support of Ebix's operating divisions across the world, are transacted in U.S. dollars.

The functional currency of the Company's other foreign subsidiaries is the local currency of the country in which the subsidiary operates. The assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the period. Gains and losses resulting from translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Foreign exchange transaction gains and losses that are derived from transactions denominated in a currency other than the subsidiary's functional currency are included in the determination of net income.

Advertising—With the exception of certain direct-response costs in connection with our business services of providing medical continuing education to physicians, dentists and healthcare professionals, advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs amounted to $6.1 million, $6.2 million, and $4.0 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. In 2017 and 2016 reported sales and marketing expenses included $3.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of amortization of certain direct-response advertising costs associated with our medical education services, which have been capitalized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 340. These costs are being amortized to advertising expense over periods ranging from twelve to twenty-four months based on the type of product the customer purchased. Deferred advertising costs amounted to $1.9 million and $2.8 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and are included in other current assets and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

Sales Commissions —Certain sales commission paid with respect to subscription-based revenues are deferred and subsequently amortized into operating expenses ratably over the term of the related customer subscription contracts. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, $574 thousand and $612 thousand, respectively, of sales commissions were deferred and included in other current assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company amortized $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of previously deferred sales commissions and included this expense in sales and marketing costs on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the assets estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the expected life of the improvements or the remaining lease term. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred and major improvements that extend the life of the asset are capitalized and depreciated over the expected remaining life of the related asset. Gains and losses resulting from sales or retirements are recorded as incurred, at which time related costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the Company’s accounts. Fixed assets acquired in acquisitions are recorded at fair value. The estimated useful lives applied by the Company for property and equipment are as follows:



	Life
Asset Category	(yrs)
Buildings	39
Building Improvements	15
Computer equipment	5
Furniture, fixtures and other	7
Software	3
Land Improvements	20
Land	Unlimited life
Leasehold improvements	Life of the lease

Recent Relevant Accounting Pronouncements—The following is a brief discussion of recently released accounting pronouncements that are pertinent to the Company's business:

In January 2017 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment". To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the FASB eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities). Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. A public business entity filer should adopt the amendments in this ASU for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company has yet to assess the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on Ebix's consolidated income statement and balance sheet.

In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business" which amended the existing FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The standard provides additional guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting, including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal 2019 with early adoption permitted. The Company has yet to assess the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on Ebix's consolidated income statement and balance sheet

In November 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230) Restricted Cash" amends ASC 230 to add or clarify guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this Update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this Update should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.

In October 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory". Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. This prohibition on recognition is an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. The amendments specified by ASU 2016-16 require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments eliminate the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. Two common examples of assets included in the scope of the amendments are intellectual property, and property, plant and equipment. The amendments do not include new disclosure requirements; however, existing disclosure requirements might be applicable when accounting for the current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The amendments align the recognition of income tax consequences for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory with International Financial Reporting Standards. IAS 12, Income Taxes, requires recognition of current and deferred income taxes resulting from an intra-entity transfer of any asset (including inventory) when the transfer occurs. The amendments are effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted for all entities in the first interim period if an entity issues interim financial statements. The amendments should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company has yet to assess the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on Ebix's consolidated income statement and balance sheet.

In August 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. This ASU addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: Contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; distributions received from equity method investees; debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies and bank-owned life insurance policies; and beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and also addresses separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities, including both business entities and not-for-profit entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under Topic 230. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable to apply the amendments retrospectively for some of the issues, the ASU for those issuers would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company has yet to assess the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on Ebix's consolidated income statement and balance sheet.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-07 "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting". The amendments affect all entities that have an investment that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence. The amendments eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. Earlier application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter of 2017 did not impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)”. This amendment simplifies the requirements for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter of 2017 did not impact our consolidated financial position, cash flows or resulting tax expense.

In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)". This new accounting guidance is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The ASU affects all companies and other organizations that lease assets such as real estate, airplanes, and manufacturing equipment. The ASU will require organizations that lease assets referred to as “Lessees” to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. An organization is to provide disclosures designed to enable users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements concerning additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet the new ASU will require both types of leases (i.e., operating and capital) to be recognized on the balance sheet. The FASB lessee accounting model will continue to account for both types of leases. The capital lease will be accounted for in substantially the same manner as capital leases are accounted for under existing GAAP. For operating leases there will have to be the recognition of a lease liability and a lease asset for all such leases greater than one year in term. The leasing standard will be effective for calendar year-end public companies beginning after December 15, 2018. Public companies will be required to adopt the new leasing standard for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for all companies and organizations. For calendar year-end public companies, this means an adoption date of January 1, 2019 and retrospective application to previously issued annual and interim financial statements for 2018 and 2017. Lessees with a large portfolio of leases are likely to see a significant increase in balance sheet assets and liabilities. See Note 6 for the Company’s current lease commitments. The Company is evaluating the impact that this new leasing ASU will have on its financial statements.

In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". ASU 2014-09 affects any entity using U.S. GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU.

The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

For a public entity, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted.

An entity should apply the amendments in this ASU using one of the following two methods:

1. Retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented and the entity may elect any of the following practical expedients:


•	For completed contracts, an entity need not restate contracts that begin and end within the same annual reporting period.


•	For completed contracts that have variable consideration, an entity may use the transaction price at the date the contract was completed rather than estimating variable consideration amounts in the comparative reporting periods.


•	For all reporting periods presented before the date of initial application, an entity need not disclose the amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations and an explanation of when the entity expects to recognize that amount as revenue.

2. Retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this ASU recognized at the date of initial application. If an entity elects this transition method it also should provide the additional disclosures in reporting periods that include the date of initial application of:


•	The amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period by the application of this ASU as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change.


•	An explanation of the reasons for significant changes.

Subsequently, in August 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of Effective Date", to defer the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 for all entities by one year. Accordingly public business entities should apply the guidance of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that annual reporting period.

The effective date and transition of these amendments (the "New Revenue Standard") is the same as the effective date and transition of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Public entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2014-09 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein (i.e., January 1, 2018, for a calendar year entity). While the Company is finalizing its evaluation of the full impact of the New Revenue Standard and related amendments on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, the Company has assessed certain changes as a result of adopting the standard:

•The incremental costs to obtain contracts with customers, such as sales commissions, will be deferred and recognized over the expected period of benefit, rather than expensed as incurred. Additionally, that change will increase the Company's prepaid expense assets as compared to its current policy. However, that change could increase or decrease the Company's sales and marketing expenses as compared to the Company's current policy depending on the relative amounts of amortization of deferred commissions as compared to actual commission obligations arising in that period.

•Revenue from certain services associated with programming, setup, and implementation activities related to our SaaS offerings, that previously had standalone value and was recognized as work is performed, will need to be deferred and recognized over the expected useful life of the services. This change will increase the company’s deferred revenue liability as compared to its current policy. However, this change could increase or decrease the Company’s revenue as compared to the Company’s current policy depending on the relative amounts, in a period, of amortization of deferred revenue as compared to the amount now being deferred.

•Certain costs associated with providing services associated with programming, setup, and implementation will be deferred and recognized over the expected useful life of the services, rather than expensed as incurred. Additionally, that change will increase the Company's prepaid expense assets as compared to its current policy. However, that change could increase or decrease the Company's product development expenses as compared to the Company's current policy depending on the relative amounts of amortization of deferred development expenses as compared to the amount now being deferred.

The Company is adopting this New Revenue Standard, as well as other clarifications and technical guidance issued by the FASB related to this New Revenue Standard, on January 1, 2018, and the Company will apply the modified retrospective transition method. This will result in an adjustment to retained earnings for the cumulative effect, if any, of applying this New Revenue Standard to contracts in process as of the adoption date. Under this method, the Company would not restate the prior consolidated financial statements presented. However, the Company will include additional disclosures of the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period during 2018, as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change, and an explanation of the reasons for significant changes, if any.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)". The amendments relate to when another party, along with the Company, is involved in providing a good or service to a customer. Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers requires an entity to determine whether the nature of its promise is to provide that good or service to the customer (i.e., the entity is a principal) or to arrange for the good or service to be provided to the customer by the other party (i.e., the entity is an agent). The amendments are intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations by clarifying the following:

>An entity determines whether it is a principal or an agent for each specified good or service promised to a customer.

> An entity determines the nature of each specified good or service (e.g., whether it is a good, service, or a right to a good or service).

> When another entity is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, an entity that is a principal obtains control of: (a) a good or another asset from the other party that it then transfers to the customer; (b) a right to a service that will be performed by another party, which gives the entity the ability to direct that party to provide the service to the customer on the entity’s behalf; or (c) a good or service from the other party that it combines with other goods or services to provide the specified good or service to the customer.

> The purpose of the indicators in paragraph 606-10-55-39 is to support or assist in the assessment of control. The amendments in paragraph 606-10-55-39A clarify that the indicators may be more or less relevant to the control assessment and that one or more indicators may be more or less persuasive to the control assessment, depending on the facts and circumstances.

The effective date and transition of this amendment is the same as the effective date and transition of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Public entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2014-09 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein (i.e., January 1, 2018, for a calendar year entity). We are continuing to evaluate the potential impact of ASU 2016-08; however, the Company does not expect it to have any material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Under legacy US GAAP 340-20, direct response advertising was eligible for capitalization if certain conditions were met. Effective January 1, 2018 Subtopic 340-40 replaces that guidance to require the costs of direct-response advertising to be expensed as they are incurred or the first time the advertising takes place. An entity shall recognize a cumulative effective change to opening retained earnings in the year of adoption of the standard. The Company will be making a one time $1.9M adjustment to retained earnings on January 1, 2018 and expensing all future costs from this date forward.

In a related technical accounting pronouncement in April 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”, which is an amendment to ASU 2014-09. This amendment provides clarification on two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 606. Public entities should apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein (i.e., January 1, 2018, for a calendar year entity). Early application for public entities is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The effective date for nonpublic entities is deferred by one year. A summary of this ASU is as follows:

Identifying Performance Obligations

Before an entity can identify its performance obligations in a contract with a customer, the entity first identifies the promised goods or services in the contract. The amendments add the following guidance:

1. An entity is not required to assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer.

2. An entity is permitted, as an accounting policy election, to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as an activity to fulfill the promise to transfer the good rather than as an additional promised service.

To identify performance obligations in a contract, an entity evaluates whether promised goods and services are distinct. The amendments improve the guidance on assessing the promises are separately identifiable criterion by:

1. Better articulating the principle for determining whether promises to transfer goods or services to a customer are separately identifiable by emphasizing that an entity determines whether the nature of its promise in the contract is to transfer each of the goods or services or whether the promise is to transfer a combined item (or items) to which the promised goods and/or services are inputs.

2. Revising the related factors and examples to align with the improved articulation of the separately identifiable principle.

(in thousands)

Fair Value at December 31, 2017

Valuation Technique

Significant Unobservable
Input

Contingent acquisition consideration:
(Wdev acquisition and ItzCash)

Discounted cash flow

Expected future annual revenue streams and probability of achievement