(19) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

ASC Topic 820 provides that fair value is an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants based on the highest and best use of the asset or liability. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC Topic 820 requires the Company to use valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows:

Level 1:

Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets

Level 2:

Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market-corroborated inputs

Level 3:

Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require the Company to develop its own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets or liabilities

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, funds held for clients, accounts payable, current liabilities and the revolving line of credit approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying value of capital lease obligations approximates fair value, as estimated by using discounted future cash flows based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair values of the Company’s Trading Securities are estimated using quoted market prices. The defined benefit plans have assets invested in insurance contracts and bank-managed portfolios. Conservation of capital with some conservative growth potential is the strategy for the plans. The Company’s pension plans are outside the United States, where asset allocation decisions are typically made by an independent board of trustees. Investment objectives are aligned to generate returns that will enable the plans to meet their future obligations. The Company acts in a consulting and governance role in reviewing investment strategy and providing a recommended list of investment managers for each plan, with final decisions on asset allocation and investment manager made by local trustees.

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables present the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of January 31, 2018 and July 31, 2017, classified by fair value hierarchy:


			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(In thousands)	January 31, 2018		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Money market funds	$	41,034	$	41,034	$	—	$	—

			Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(In thousands)	July 31, 2017		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Marketable equity securities	$	11,898	$	11,898	$	—	$	—
Money market funds		85,683		85,683		—		—

There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3 during any of the periods presented.

When available, quoted prices were used to determine fair value. When quoted prices in active markets were available, investments were classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. When quoted prices in active markets were not available, fair values were determined using pricing models, and the inputs to those pricing models were based on observable market inputs. The inputs to the pricing models were typically benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities, among others.

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company’s only significant assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition were certain assets subject to long-lived asset impairment. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of these assets whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, funds held for clients and debt, and are reflected in the financial statements at cost. With the exception of the Notes payable and long-term debt, cost approximates fair value for these items due to their short-term nature. We believe that the carrying value of our long-term debt approximates fair value because the stated interest rates of this debt is consistent with current market rates.

Included in Trading Securities in the accompanying balance sheet are marketable equity securities. These instruments are valued at quoted market prices in active markets. Included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying balance sheet are money market funds. These are valued at quoted market prices in active markets.

The following table presents the Company’s Notes payable not carried at fair value:


	January 31, 2018				July 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
	(In thousands)
Notes payable	$	62,062	$	66,188	$	59,758	$	63,852		Level 1

The fair value of our Notes payable represents the value at which our lenders could trade our debt within the financial markets, and does not represent the settlement value of these long-term debt liabilities to us. The fair value of the Notes payable could vary each period based on fluctuations in market interest rates, as well as changes to our credit ratings. The Notes payable are traded and their fair values are based upon traded prices as of the reporting dates.