The Company operated an online gaming site featuring sophisticated playing zones, game broadcasts with software analyses and top analysts' commentaries, education and other chess oriented resources. Intangible assets represented the amount incurred by the Company related to the development of the online chess gaming website.
Under ASC 985‐20, there are two main stages of software development. These stages are defined as:
1 (A) When the technological feasibility is established, and
2 (B) When the product is available for general release to customers.
Costs incurred by the Company up to stage A have been expensed while costs incurred to move from stage A to stage B have been capitalized.
The Company evaluates the recoverability of the infinite‐lived intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of intangible assets is not recoverable, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value.
During the year ended December 31, 20X7, the intangible asset was written off based on management's review and evaluation of its recoverability. With respect to goodwill, during the year ended December 31, 20X8, the Company has identified no circumstances which would call for further evaluation of goodwill impairment.
Example 7.29: Software Development Costs The costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental, are capitalized until the application is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. These costs are amortized using the straight‐line method over the estimated economic useful life of 5 years starting from when the application is substantially complete and ready for its intended use.
Inventories
Example 7.30: Inventories and Cost Method Inventories, consisting of finished goods, inventories in transit, and raw materials, are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using weighted‐average costs, and includes all costs incurred to deliver inventory to the Company's distribution centers including freight, nonrefundable taxes, duty, and other landing costs.
The Company makes provisions as necessary to appropriately value goods that are obsolete, have quality issues, or are damaged. The amount of the provision is equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand, selling prices and market conditions. In addition, the Company provides for inventory shrinkage based on historical trends from actual physical inventory counts. Inventory shrinkage estimates are made to reduce the inventory value for lost or stolen items. The Company performs physical inventory counts and cycle counts throughout the year and adjusts the shrink reserve accordingly.
Example 7.40: Inventories—Merchandise Inventories Merchandise inventories are valued at lower of cost or market using the last‐in, first‐out (LIFO) retail inventory method. Under the retail inventory method, inventory is segregated into departments of merchandise having similar characteristics, and is stated at its current retail selling value. Inventory retail values are converted to a cost basis by applying specific average cost factors for each merchandise department. Cost factors represent the average cost‐to‐retail ratio for each merchandise department based on beginning inventory and the annual purchase activity. At January 2, 20X3 and January 3, 20X2, merchandise inventories valued at LIFO, including adjustments as necessary to record inventory at the lower of cost or market, approximated the cost of such inventories using the first‐in, first‐out (FIFO) retail inventory method. The application of the LIFO retail inventory method did not result in the recognition of any LIFO charges or credits affecting cost of sales for 20X3, 20X2 or 20X1. The retail inventory method inherently requires management judgments and estimates, such as the amount and timing of permanent markdowns to clear unproductive or slow‐moving inventory, which may impact the ending inventory valuation as well as gross margins.
Permanent markdowns designated for clearance activity are recorded when the utility of the inventory has diminished. Factors considered in the determination of permanent markdowns include current and anticipated demand, customer preferences, age of the merchandise and fashion trends. When a decision is made to permanently markdown merchandise, the resulting gross margin reduction is recognized in the period the markdown is recorded.
Physical inventories are generally taken within each merchandise department annually, and inventory records are adjusted accordingly, resulting in the recording of actual shrinkage. Physical inventories are taken at all store locations for substantially all merchandise categories approximately three weeks before the end of the year. Shrinkage is estimated as a percentage of sales at interim periods and for this approximate three‐week period, based on historical shrinkage rates. While it is not possible to quantify the impact from each cause of shrinkage, the Company has loss prevention programs and policies that are intended to minimize shrinkage, including the use of radio frequency identification cycle counts and interim inventories to keep the Company's merchandise files accurate.
Property and Equipment and Depreciation Methods
Example 7.41: Property and Equipment, Net, Straight‐Line Depreciation Method and Impairment Policy Net property and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation. Historical cost comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable costs of bringing the assets to its working condition and location for its intended use. Depreciation is calculated on a straight‐line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
| Buildings | 20 years |
| Motor vehicles | 5–10 years |
| Furniture and office equipment | 3–5 years |
| Leasehold improvements | Shorter of lease term or useful lives |
The carrying value of a long‐lived asset is considered impaired by the Company when the anticipated undiscounted cash flows from such asset is less than its carrying value. If impairment is identified, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long‐lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved or based on independent appraisals. Management has determined that there were no impairments at the balance sheet dates.
Example 7.42: Property and Equipment, Net, Declining Balance Depreciation Method Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the declining balance method for substantially all assets with estimated lives as follows:
| Leasehold improvements | 5 years |
| Clinical equipment | 5 years |
| Computer equipment | 3 years |