Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 30, 2016

Basis of Presentation

Exponent, Inc. together with its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) is a science and engineering consulting firm that provides solutions to complex problems. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the Friday closest to December 31^st. Fiscal periods 2016, 2015 and 2014 included 52 weeks of activity and ended on December 30, 2016, January 1, 2016 and January 2, 2015, respectively. Fiscal period 2017 will end on December 29, 2017.

Stock Split

Stock Split

On May 28, 2015, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to (i) amend the number of authorized shares of common stock to 80,000,000, (ii) amend the number of authorized shares of preferred stock to 2,000,000, and (iii) effect a two-for-one stock split. As a result of the stock split, each shareholder of record at the close of business on May 28, 2015, received one additional share of common stock. Restricted stock unit awards and stock option awards have also been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split. For periods prior to the stock split, all share and per share data in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related notes have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues primarily from professional fees earned on consulting engagements, fees earned for the use of its equipment and facilities, and reimbursements for outside direct expenses associated with the services that are billed to its clients. Any taxes assessed on revenues relating to services provided to its clients are recorded on a net basis.

The Company reports service revenues net of subcontractor fees. The Company has determined that it is not the primary obligor with respect to these subcontractors because:

its clients are directly involved in the subcontractor selection process;

the subcontractor is responsible for fulfilling the scope of work; and

the Company passes through the costs of subcontractor agreements with only a minimal fixed percentage mark-up to compensate it for processing the transactions.

Reimbursements, including those related to travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, and other similar third party costs such as the cost of materials, are included in revenues, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in operating expenses. Any mark-up on reimbursable expenses is included in revenues.

Substantially all of the Company’s engagements are performed under time and material or fixed-price billing arrangements. On time and material and fixed-price projects, revenue is generally recognized as the services are performed. For substantially all of the Company’s fixed-price engagements, it recognizes revenue based on the relationship of incurred labor hours at standard rates to its estimate of the total labor hours at standard rates it expects to incur over the term of the contract. The Company believes this methodology achieves a reliable measure of the revenue from the consulting services it provides to its customers under fixed-price contracts given the nature of the consulting services the Company provides and the following additional considerations:

the Company considers labor hours at standard rates and expenses to be incurred when pricing its contracts;

the Company generally does not incur set up costs on its contracts;

the Company does not believe that there are reliable milestones to measure progress toward completion;

if the contract is terminated early, the customer is required to pay the Company for time at standard rates plus materials incurred to date;

the Company does not recognize revenue for award fees or bonuses until specific contractual criteria are met;

the Company does not include revenue for unpriced change orders until the customer agrees with the changes;

historically the Company has not had significant accounts receivable write-offs or cost overruns; and

its contracts are typically progress billed on a monthly basis.

Product revenue is recognized when both title and risk of loss transfer to the customer and customer acceptance has occurred, provided that no significant obligations remain.

Gross revenues and reimbursements for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were:

	Fiscal Years
(In thousands)	2016		2015		2014

Gross revenues	$	322,293	$	320,404	$	313,723
Less: Subcontractor fees		7,217		7,572		9,019
Revenues		315,076		312,832		304,704

Reimbursements:
Out-of-pocket reimbursements		5,474		5,967		5,862
Other outside direct expenses		10,405		11,160		9,633
		15,879		17,127		15,495
Revenues before reimbursements	$	299,197	$	295,705	$	289,209

Significant management judgments and estimates must be made in connection with the revenues recognized in any accounting period. These judgments and estimates include an assessment of collectability and, for fixed-price engagements, an estimate as to the total effort required to complete the project. If the Company made different judgments or utilized different estimates, the amount and timing of its revenue for any period could be materially different.

All consulting contracts are subject to review by management, which requires a positive assessment of the collectability of contract amounts. If, during the course of the contract, the Company determines that collection of revenue is not reasonably assured, it does not recognize the revenue until its collection becomes reasonably assured, which in those situations would generally be upon receipt of cash. The Company assesses collectability based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the client, as well as the credit-worthiness of the client. Losses on fixed-price contracts are recognized during the period in which the loss first becomes evident. Contract losses are determined to be the amount by which the estimated total costs of the contract exceeds the total fixed price of the contract.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company translates the assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency is the local currency, at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The adjustment resulting from translating the financial statements of such foreign subsidiaries is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments such as money market mutual funds, commercial paper and debt securities with original remaining maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase.

Short-term Investments

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments consist of debt securities classified as available-for-sale and are carried at their fair value as of the balance sheet date. Short-term investments generally mature between three months and three years from the purchase date. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent investments readily available for current operations.

The amortized cost of securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included in interest income. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method and are reflected in other income. Net unrealized gains and losses are recorded directly in accumulated other comprehensive income except for unrealized losses that are deemed to be other-than-temporary, which are reflected in net income.

Investments are reviewed on a regular basis to evaluate whether or not any security has experienced an other-than temporary decline in fair value. When assessing investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, the Company considers the significance of the decline in value as a percentage of the original cost, how long the market value of the investment has been less than its original cost, any news that has been released specific to the investee, and the Company’s intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investment’s cost basis.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Losses

Allowances for Contract Losses and Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to meet their financial obligations or for disputes that affect the Company’s ability to fully collect amounts due. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations or aware of a dispute with a specific customer, a specific allowance is recorded to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based upon historical write-offs, customer concentration, customer credit-worthiness, current economic conditions, aging of amounts due and changes in customer payment terms.

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recognized using the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from thirty to forty years. Equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life, which generally ranges from two to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives, generally seven years, or the term of the related lease.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The Company has not recognized impairment losses on any long-lived assets in fiscal years 2016, 2015 or 2014.

Goodwill

Goodwill

The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment review is completed during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company evaluates goodwill for each reporting unit for impairment by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The Company considers events and circumstances, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, a change in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets and changes in the price of its common stock. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not performed.

If the two-step goodwill test is performed, the Company determines the existence of impairment by assessing the fair value of the applicable reporting unit, including goodwill, using expected future cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of the goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied value of the reporting unit goodwill.

The Company completed its annual assessment for all reporting units with goodwill for fiscal 2016 and determined, after assessing the totality of the qualitative factors, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is greater than its respective carrying amount. Accordingly there was no indication of impairment of goodwill for any of the Company’s reporting units and the two-step goodwill impairment test was not performed. The Company did not recognize any goodwill impairment losses in fiscal years 2016, 2015 or 2014.

Deferred Revenues

Deferred Revenues

Deferred revenues represent amounts billed to clients in advance of services provided.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. income taxes are provided on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless the subsidiaries’ earnings are considered permanently reinvested outside the U.S. An uncertain tax position is recognized if it is determined that it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties are insignificant at December 30, 2016 and January 1, 2016.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are recorded at fair value. The carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable approximates their fair values due to their short maturities.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. The Company estimates the number of awards that are expected to vest and revises the estimate as actual forfeitures differ from that estimate. Estimated forfeiture rates are based on the Company’s historical experience.

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share

Basic per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive securities, using the treasury stock method if their effect would be dilutive.

The following schedule reconciles the denominators of the Company’s calculation for basic and diluted net income per share:

	Fiscal Years
(In thousands)	2016		2015		2014

Shares used in basic per share computation		26,488		26,606		26,910
Effect of dilutive common stock options outstanding		124		135		136
Effect of unvested restricted stock units outstanding		554		557		620
Shares used in diluted per share computation		27,166		27,298		27,666

There were no equity awards excluded from the diluted per share calculation for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement.

On March 30, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. ASU No. 2016-09 includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. Under ASU No. 2016-09, entities will record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as an income tax benefit or expense in the income statement. Prior to ASU No. 2016-09, excess tax benefits were recognized in additional paid-in-capital on the balance sheet. Under ASU No. 2016-09, excess tax benefits will be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. Prior to ASU No. 2016-09, excess tax benefits were classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. Under ASU No. 2016-09, entities will also elect an accounting policy to either estimate the number of forfeitures of share-based awards or account for forfeitures when they occur. Prior to ASU No. 2016-09, entities were required to estimate forfeitures. In addition, ASU No. 2016-09 allows entities to withhold from employees upon exercise or settlement of share-based awards up to the maximum individual statutory tax rate without classifying the awards as a liability.

ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period, with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company elected to early adopt ASU No. 2016-09 as of the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal 2016.

During fiscal 2016, the Company recorded an excess tax benefit of $4,827,000 as an income tax benefit in the consolidated statement of income and classified this excess tax benefit as an operating activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Excluding the excess tax benefit, net income would have been $42,653,000 and diluted earnings per share would have been $1.57 per share during fiscal 2016. The recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies was applied prospectively and thus prior periods were not adjusted. The formula for calculating diluted earnings per share under the treasury stock method no longer includes the estimated excess tax benefits that were recorded in additional paid-in capital. The impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09 had an immaterial impact on weighted average diluted shares outstanding during fiscal 2016.

In connection with the early adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures of share-based awards when they occur. This election is applied prospectively and thus prior periods were not adjusted. An adjustment of $78,000 was made fiscal 2016 to reduce beginning retained earnings for estimated forfeitures previously recorded on outstanding share-based awards. The election to account for forfeitures of share-based awards when they occur did not have a material impact on stock-based compensation expense during fiscal 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective.

On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company on the first day of fiscal 2018 (December 30, 2017). The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application.

During 2016, the Company made progress toward completing an evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the new standard on future financial reporting and disclosures. The impact of adopting the new standard is not expected to be material because the analysis of the Company’s contracts under the new revenue recognition standard supports the recognition of revenue over time, which is consistent with the Company’s current revenue recognition model.

Substantially all of the Company’s engagements are performed under time and material or fixed-price arrangements. For time and materials contracts the Company anticipates utilizing the practical expedient under the ASU which states, if an entity has a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of the entity’s performance completed to date (for example, a service contract in which an entity bills a fixed amount for each hour or service provided), the entity may recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has a right to invoice. Application of the practical expedient to time and material contracts is consistent with the Company’s current revenue recognition policy.

For fixed price contracts the Company will recognize revenue over time under the ASU because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. The customer typically controls the work in process as evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by the Company’s rights to payment for work performed to date to deliver services that do not have an alternative use to the Company. Input methods are an acceptable method of measuring progress towards completing under the ASU. This is consistent with the Company’s current policy of measuring progress towards completion based on the relationship of incurred labor hours at standard rates to its estimate of the total labor hours at standard rates it expects to incur over the term of the contract. The Company believes this methodology achieves a reliable measure of the revenue from the consulting services it provides to its customers under fixed price contracts.

The Company anticipates adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method. The Company is currently evaluating the required disclosures under the new standard and developing appropriate changes to its process, systems and controls.

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet. The new standard will be effective for the Company on the first day of fiscal 2019 (December 29, 2018). Early adoption is permitted. The standard requires use of the modified retrospective transition method, with elective relief, which requires application of the guidance for all periods presented. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting. The standard will require the Company to record a right of use asset and a lease liability that will materially gross up its balance sheet.