Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

1. Basis of Presentation

     The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Brooks Automation, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Brooks” or the “Company”) included herein have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments which are of a normal and recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented have been reflected.

     Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted and, accordingly, the accompanying financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior period consolidated financial statements to conform to the current presentation.

Recently Enacted Accounting Pronouncements

     In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting and disclosure requirements for the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which requires a qualitative approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a VIE, and requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. On October 1, 2010 the Company adopted this standard, which had no impact on its financial position or results of operations.

     In December 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting requirements of goodwill, which requires a qualitative approach to considering impairment for a reporting unit with zero or negative carrying value. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

     In December 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting requirements of business combinations, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for pro forma revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the current and comparable reporting periods. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

     In May 2011, the FASB issued updated accounting guidance related to fair value measurements and disclosures that result in common fair value measurements and disclosures between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This guidance includes amendments that clarify the intent about the application of existing fair value measurements and disclosures, and change a principle or requirement for fair value measurements or disclosures. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

     In June 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for presentation of comprehensive income. Under the amended guidance, a company may present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This authoritative guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholder’s equity. The amendment is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Other than a change in presentation, the Company does not believe that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.