2. Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2017

Notes

2. Significant Accounting Policies

2.             SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Generally accepted accounting principles

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America. 

Principles of consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, JC USA, JCC, MSI, JCSC, and Greenwood, all of which are incorporated under the laws of Oregon, U.S.A.

All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 reporting period.  Significant estimates incorporated into the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the estimated useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, the estimated allowances for doubtful accounts receivable and inventory obsolescence, possible product liability and possible product returns, and litigation contingencies and claims. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of issuance to be cash equivalents.  At August 31, 2017, cash was $5,912,250 compared to $4,519,922 at August 31, 2016.  At August 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable

Trade and other accounts receivable are reported at face value less any provisions for uncollectible accounts considered necessary. Accounts receivable primarily includes trade receivables from customers. The Company estimates doubtful accounts on an item-by-item basis and includes over aged accounts as part of allowance for doubtful accounts, which are generally ones that are ninety days or greater overdue. 

The Company extends credit to domestic customers and offers discounts for early payment.  When extension of credit is not advisable, the Company relies on either prepayment or a letter of credit.

Inventory

Inventory, which consists primarily of finished goods, is recorded at the lower of cost, based on the average cost method, and market.  Market is defined as net realizable value. An allowance for potential non-saleable inventory due to excess stock or obsolescence is based upon a review of inventory components.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation.  The Company provides for depreciation over the estimated life of each asset on a straight-line basis over the following periods:

Office equipment	3	7
Warehouse equipment	2	10
Buildings	5	30

Intangibles

The Company’s intangible assets have a finite life and are recorded at cost.  The most significant intangible assets are two patents related to gate support systems.  Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the remaining lives of 6 months and 18 months, respectively, and are reviewed annually for impairment.

Asset retirement obligations

The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development, and normal use of the long-lived assets.  The Company also records a corresponding asset which is amortized over the life of the asset.  Subsequent to the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the obligation is adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time (accretion expense) and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation (asset retirement cost).  The Company does not have any significant asset retirement obligations.

Impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of

Long-lived assets are reviewed 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 an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset.  If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.  Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount and the fair value less costs to sell.

Currency and foreign exchange

These financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars as the Company's operations are primarily based in the United States. 

The Company does not have non-monetary or monetary assets and liabilities that are in a currency other than the U.S. dollar.  Any statement of operations transactions in a foreign currency are translated at rates that approximate those in effect at the time of translation.  Gains and losses from translation of foreign currency transactions into U.S. dollars are included in current results of operations.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding in the period. Diluted earnings per common share takes into consideration common shares outstanding (computed under basic earnings per share) and potentially dilutive common shares.

The earnings per share data for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

	2017	2016
Net income	$  2,726,657	$   2,125,099
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding	2,272,522	2,435,650
Effect of dilutive securities
Stock options	0	0
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding	2,272,522	2,435,650
Basic and diluted earnings per common share	$           1.20	$             0.87

Comprehensive income

The Company has no items of other comprehensive income in any year presented.  Therefore, net income presented in the consolidated statements of operations equals comprehensive income.

Stock-based compensation

All stock-based compensation is recognized as an expense in the financial statements and such costs are measured at the fair value of the award.

No options were granted during the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016, and there were no options outstanding on August 31, 2017 or 2016.

Financial instruments

The Company uses the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate such values:

Cash - the carrying amount approximates fair value because the amounts consist of cash held at a bank and cash held in short term investment accounts.

Accounts receivable - the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature and historical collectability.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the obligations.

The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments as of August 31, 2017 and 2016 follows:

	2017		2016
	Carrying	Fair	Carrying	Fair
	Amount	Value	Amount	Value
Cash	$5,912,250	$5,912,250	$4,519,922	$4,519,922
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	3,565,055	3,565,055	3,342,204	3,342,204
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,445,320	2,445,320	2,313,764	2,313,764

The following table presents information about the assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of August 31, 2017, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and included situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset:

	August 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets:
Cash	$	5,912,250	$	5,912,250	$	—	$	—

The fair values of cash are determined through market, observable and corroborated sources.

Income taxes

A deferred tax asset or liability is recorded for all temporary differences between financial and tax reporting and net operating loss carryforwards.  Deferred tax expense (benefit) results from the net change during the year of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

Shipping and handling costs

The Company incurs certain expenses related to preparing, packaging and shipping its products to its customers, mainly third-party transportation fees. All costs related to these activities are included as a component of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. All costs billed to the customer are included as sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from the sales of lumber, building supply products, industrial wood products, specialty metal products, and other specialty products and tools, when the products are shipped, title passes, and the ultimate collection is reasonably assured.  Revenue from the Company's seed operations is generated from seed processing, handling and storage services provided to seed growers, and by the sales of seed products.  Revenue from the provision of these services and products is recognized when the services have been performed, products sold and collection of the amounts is reasonably assured.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2015, an ASU was issued to simplify the income statement presentation requirements in Subtopic 225-20 by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items.  Extraordinary items are events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence. Eliminating the extraordinary classification simplifies income statement presentation by altogether removing the concept of extraordinary items from consideration. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those annual periods.  An entity may apply this ASU prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company adopted this ASU on April 1, 2016, prospectively. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods and is to be retrospectively applied. Early application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the future adoption of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, an ASU was issued to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes.  The amendments in this ASU require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current on the balance sheet as compared to the current requirements to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into current and non-current amounts.  This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier application is permitted.  This ASU may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented.  The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, Topic 842, Leases was issued to replace the leases requirements in Topic 840, Leases.  The main difference between previous GAAP and Topic 842 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. A lessee should recognize in the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP.  Topic 842 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods and is to be retrospectively applied.  Earlier application is permitted.  The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, Topic 330, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which requires that inventory within the scope of the guidance be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Inventory measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) and the retail inventory method (RIM) are not impacted by the new guidance. The new standard is being issued as part of the simplification initiative. Prior to the issuance of the standard, inventory was measured at the lower of cost or market (where market was defined as replacement cost, with a ceiling of net realizable value and floor of net realizable value less a normal profit margin). This necessitated obtaining three data points to determine market value. Replacing the concept of market with the single measurement of net realizable value is intended to create efficiencies for preparers. Further, this change will more closely align U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those years and is to be prospectively applied. The Company is currently assessing this ASU’s impacts on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

In November 2016, Topic 230, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash, a consensus of the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (the “Task Force”). The new standard requires that the 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. Entities will also be required to reconcile such total to amounts on the balance sheet and disclose the nature of the restrictions. The Company is currently assessing this ASU’s impacts on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.