Ameresco, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and four investment funds formed to fund the purchase and operation of solar energy systems, which are consolidated with the Company as variable interest entities (“VIE”). The Company uses a qualitative approach in assessing the consolidation requirement for VIEs. This approach focuses on determining whether the Company has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and whether the Company has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. For all periods presented, the Company has determined that it is the primary beneficiary in all but one of its operational VIEs. The Company evaluates its relationships with the VIEs on an ongoing basis to ensure that it continues to be the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Gains and losses from the translation of all foreign currency financial statements are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net, within stockholders’ equity. The Company prepares its condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP.

Use of Estimates

GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidating financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates and assumptions used in these condensed consolidated financial statements relate to management’s estimates of final construction contract profit in accordance with accounting for long-term contracts, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, realization of project development costs, fair value of derivative financial instruments, accounting for business acquisitions, stock-based awards, impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), leases, income taxes, self insurance reserves and potential liability in conjunction with certain commitments and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company is self-insured for employee health insurance. The maximum exposure in fiscal year 2019 under the plan was $150 per covered participant, after which reinsurance takes effect. The liability for unpaid claims and associated expenses, including incurred but not reported claims, is determined by management and reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. The liability is calculated based on historical data, which considers both the frequency and settlement amount of claims. The Company’s estimated accrual for this liability could be different than its ultimate obligation if variables such as the frequency or amount of future claims differ significantly from management’s assumptions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on deposit, overnight repurchase agreements and amounts invested in highly liquid money market funds. Cash equivalents consist of short term investments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company maintains accounts with financial institutions and the balances in such accounts, at times, exceed federally insured limits. This credit risk is divided among a number of financial institutions that management believes to be of high quality. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates its fair value measured using level 1 inputs per the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 10.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of cash and cash equivalents held in an escrow account in association with construction draws for energy savings performance contracts (“ESPC”), construction of energy assets, operations and maintenance (“O&M”) reserve accounts and cash collateralized letters of credit as well as cash required under term loans to be maintained in debt service reserve accounts until all obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full. These accounts are primarily invested in highly liquid money market funds. The carrying amount of the cash and cash equivalents in these accounts approximates its fair value measured using level 1 inputs per the fair value hierarchy as defined in Note 10. Restricted cash also includes funds held for clients, which represent assets that, based upon the Company’s intent, are restricted for use solely for the purposes of satisfying the obligations to remit funds to third parties, primarily utility service providers, relating to the Company’s enterprise energy management services.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided for those accounts receivable considered to be uncollectible based upon historical experience and management’s evaluation of outstanding accounts receivable. Bad debts are written off against the allowance when identified.

Accounts Receivable Retainage

Accounts receivable retainage represents amounts due from customers, but where payments are withheld contractually until certain construction milestones are met. Amounts retained typically range from 5% to 10% of the total invoice. The Company classifies as a current asset those retainages that are expected to be billed in the next twelve months.

Inventory

Inventories, which consist primarily of PV solar panels, batteries and related accessories, are stated at the lower of cost (“first-in, first-out” method) or net realizable value (determined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation). Provisions have been made to reduce the carrying value of inventory to the net realizable value.

Prepaid Expenses

Prepaid expenses consist primarily of short-term prepaid expenditures that will amortize within one year.

Federal ESPC Receivable

Federal ESPC receivable represents the amount to be paid by various federal government agencies for work performed and earned by the Company under specific ESPCs. The Company assigns certain of its rights to receive those payments to third-parties that provide construction and permanent financing for such contracts. Upon completion and acceptance of the project by the government, typically within 24 to 36 months of construction commencement, the assigned ESPC receivable from the government and corresponding ESPC liability are eliminated from the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Project Development Costs

The Company capitalizes as project development costs only those costs incurred in connection with the development of energy projects, primarily direct labor, interest costs, outside contractor services, consulting fees, legal fees and travel, if incurred after a point in time where the realization of related revenue becomes probable. Project development costs incurred prior to the probable realization of revenue are expensed as incurred. The Company classifies as a current asset those project development efforts that are expected to proceed to construction activity in the twelve months that follow. The Company periodically reviews these balances and writes off any amounts where the realization of the related revenue is no longer probable.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists primarily of office and computer equipment, and is recorded at cost. Major additions and improvements are capitalized as additions to the property and equipment accounts, while replacements, maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective assets are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment are computed on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:



Asset Classification		Estimated Useful Life
Furniture and office equipment		Five years
Computer equipment and software costs		Three to five years
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of term of lease or five years
Automobiles		Five years
Land		Unlimited

Gains or losses on disposal of property and equipment are reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Energy Assets

Energy assets consist of costs of materials, direct labor, interest costs, outside contract services, deposits and project development costs incurred in connection with the construction of small-scale renewable energy plants that the Company owns. These amounts are capitalized and amortized to cost of revenues in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income on a straight line basis over the lives of the related assets or the terms of the related contracts.

The Company capitalizes interest costs relating to construction financing during the period of construction. Capitalized interest is included in energy assets, net in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. Capitalized interest is amortized to cost of revenues in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income on a straight line basis over the useful life of the associated energy asset. There was $788 and $994 of interest capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Routine maintenance costs are expensed in the current year’s condensed consolidated statements of income to the extent that they do not extend the life of the asset. Major maintenance, upgrades and overhauls are required for certain components of the Company’s assets. In these instances, the costs associated with these upgrades are capitalized and are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining life of the asset or the period until the next required major maintenance or overhaul.

Included in energy assets are financing lease assets and accumulated depreciation of financing lease assets. For additional information see the Sale-Leaseback section below. Financing leases were referred to as capital leases under previous guidance.

The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be fully recoverable. Examples of such triggering events applicable to the Company’s assets include a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset or asset group or a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group.

The Company evaluates recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used by estimating the undiscounted future cash flows before interest associated with the expected uses and eventual disposition of those assets. When these comparisons indicate that the carrying value of those assets is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

The Company has applied for and received cash grant awards from the U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) under Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Act”). The Act authorized the Treasury to make payments to eligible persons who place in service qualifying renewable energy projects. The grants are paid in lieu of investment tax credits. All of the cash proceeds from the grants were used and recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the applicable energy assets. If the Company disposes of the property, or the property ceases to qualify as specified energy property, within five years from the date the property is placed in service, then a prorated portion of the Section 1603 payment must be repaid.

The Company last received a Section 1603 grant during the year ended December 31, 2014. No further Section 1603 grant payments are expected to be received as the program has expired.

For tax purposes, the Section 1603 payments are not included in federal and certain state taxable income and the basis of the property is reduced by 50% of the payment received.

Leases

All significant lease arrangements are recognized at lease commencement. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement. An ROU asset and corresponding lease liability are not recorded for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (short term leases) as the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases as incurred over the lease term.

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the reasonably certain lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is updated annually or when a significant event occurs that would indicate a significant change in rates, based on the information available at commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments related to initial direct cost and prepayments and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for as a single component.

Deferred Financing Fees

Deferred financing fees relate to the external costs incurred to obtain financing for the Company. Deferred financing fees are amortized over the respective term of the financing using the effective interest method, with the exception of the Company’s revolving credit facility and construction loans, as discussed in Note 15, for which deferred financing fees are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. Deferred financing fees are presented on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a reduction to long-term debt and financing lease liabilities.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company has classified as goodwill the amounts paid in excess of fair value of the net assets (including tax attributes) of companies acquired in purchase transactions. The Company has recorded intangible assets related to customer contracts, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, trade names and technology, each with defined useful lives. The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives on an annual basis (December 31^st) and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable.

The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill requires significant judgment. The Company regularly monitors current business conditions and other factors including, but not limited to, adverse industry or economic trends, restructuring actions and projections of future results. The Company estimates the reporting units fair value and compares it with the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the fair value is greater than the carrying value of its reporting unit, no impairment is recorded. Fair value is determined using both an income approach and a market approach. The estimates and assumptions used in the Company’s calculations include revenue growth rates, expense growth rates, expected capital expenditures to determine projected cash flows, expected tax rates and an estimated discount rate to determine present value of expected cash flows. These estimates are based on historical experiences, the Company’s projections of future operating activity and its weighted-average cost of capital. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount that the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The impairment charge would be recorded to earnings in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Judgment is required in determining whether an event has occurred that may impair the value of goodwill or identifiable intangible assets.

Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill that are subject to amortization include customer contracts and customer relationships, as well as software/technology, trade names and non-compete agreements. The intangible assets are amortized over periods ranging from one to fifteen years from their respective acquisition dates. The Company evaluates its intangible assets for impairment consistent with, and part of, their long-lived assets evaluation, as discussed in Energy Assets above.

Other Assets

Other assets consist primarily of notes and contracts receivable due to the Company from various customers and non-current restricted cash. Other assets also include, the fair value of derivatives determined to be assets, the non-current portion of project development costs, accounts receivable retainages, sale-leaseback deferred loss and deferred contract costs.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company recognizes a liability for the fair value of required AROs when such obligations are incurred. The Company records, as liabilities, the fair value of the AROs on a discounted basis when incurred and reasonably estimated which is typically at the time the assets are installed or operating. Over time the liabilities increase due to the change in present value, and initial capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful life of the related assets. Upon satisfaction of the ARO conditions any difference between the recorded ARO liability and the actual retirement cost incurred is recognized as an operating gain or loss in the condensed consolidated statements of income. See Note 6 for additional disclosures on the Company’s AROs.

Federal ESPC Liabilities

Federal ESPC liabilities, for both projects and energy assets, represent the advances received from third-parties under agreements to finance certain ESPC projects with various federal government agencies.

For projects related to the construction or installation of certain energy savings equipment or facilities developed for the government customer, upon completion and acceptance of the project by the government, typically within 24 to 36 months of construction commencement, the ESPC receivable from the government and corresponding ESPC liability is eliminated from the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. Until recourse to the Company ceases for the ESPC receivables transferred to the investor, upon final acceptance of the work by the government customer, the Company remains the primary obligor for financing received.

For small-scale energy assets developed for the government customer that the Company owns and operates, upon final acceptance of the work by the government customer, the Company remains the primary obligor for financing received and the liability is eliminated from the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as contract payments assigned by the customer are transferred to the investor.

Sale-Leaseback

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with an investor which gives the Company the option to sell and contemporaneously lease back solar photovoltaic (“solar PV”) projects. In September 2016, the Company amended this agreement to increase the investor’s commitment up to a maximum combined funding amount of $100,000 through June 30, 2017 on certain projects. In May 2017, the Company amended this agreement to extend the end date of the agreement to June 30, 2018. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with an investor which gives the Company the option to sell and contemporaneously lease back solar PV projects through August 2019 up to a maximum funding amount of $100,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 the Company entered into no sale-leaseback agreements.

As part of these agreements, the Company is a party to a master lease agreement that provides for the sale of solar PV projects to a third-party investor and the simultaneous leaseback of the projects, which the Company then operates and maintains, recognizing revenue through the sale of the electricity and solar renewable energy credits generated by these projects. In sale-leaseback arrangements, the Company first determines whether the solar PV project under the sale-leaseback arrangement is “integral equipment.” A solar PV project is determined to be integral equipment when the cost to remove the project from its existing location, including the shipping and reinstallation costs of the solar PV project at the new site, including any diminution in fair value, exceeds 10% of the fair value of the solar PV project at the time of its original installation. When the leaseback arrangement expires, the Company has the option to purchase the solar PV project for the then fair market value or, in certain circumstances, renew the lease for an extended term. All solar PV projects sold to date under the sale-leaseback program have been determined by the Company not to be integral equipment as the cost to remove the project from its existing location would not exceed 10% of its original fair value.

For solar PV projects that the Company has determined not to be integral equipment, the Company then determines if the leaseback should be classified as a financing lease or an operating lease. All solar PV projects sold to date under the sale-leaseback program have been determined by the Company to be financing leases. For leasebacks classified as financing leases, the Company initially records a financing lease asset and financing lease obligation in its condensed consolidated balance sheet equal to the lower of the present value of the Company’s future minimum leaseback payments or the fair value of the solar PV project. For financing leasebacks, the Company defers any gain or loss, representing the excess or shortfall of cash received from the investor compared to the net book value of the asset in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at the time of the sale. The Company records the long term portion of any deferred gain or loss in other liabilities and other assets, respectively, and the current portion of any deferred gain and loss in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and prepaid expenses and other current assets, respectively, in its condensed consolidated balance sheet and amortizes the deferred amounts over the lease term in cost of revenues in its condensed consolidated statements of income.

Other Liabilities

Other liabilities consist primarily of deferred revenue related to multi-year operation and maintenance contracts which expire at various dates through 2033. Other liabilities also include the fair value of derivatives, the long term portion of sale-leaseback deferred gains, ESPC energy asset liabilities, ARO liability, and certain contingent consideration.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenues from energy efficiency and renewable energy products and services. Energy efficiency products and services include the design, engineering, and installation of equipment and other measures to improve the efficiency, and control the operation, of a facility’s energy infrastructure. Renewable energy products and services include the construction of small-scale plants that produce electricity, gas, heat or cooling from renewable sources of energy, the sale of such electricity, gas, heat or cooling from plants that the Company owns, and the sale and installation of solar energy products and systems. Below is a description of the Company’s primary lines of business.

Projects - The Company’s principal service relates to energy efficiency projects, which entails the design, engineering and installation of, and assisting with the arranging of financing for an ever-increasing array of innovative technologies and techniques to improve the energy efficiency, and control the operation, of a building’s energy- and water- consuming systems. In certain projects, the Company also designs and constructs for a customer a central plant or cogeneration system providing power, heat and/or cooling to a building, or a small-scale plant that produces electricity, gas, heat or cooling from renewable sources of energy.

The Company recognizes revenue from the installation or construction of projects over time using the cost-based input method. The Company uses the total costs incurred on the the project relative to the total expected costs to satisfy the performance obligation.

When the estimate on a contract indicates a loss, or claims against costs incurred reduce the likelihood of recoverability of such costs, the Company records the entire estimated loss in the period the loss becomes known.

Operations & Maintenance (“O&M”) - After an energy efficiency or renewable energy project is completed, the Company often provides ongoing O&M services under a multi-year contract. These services include operating, maintaining and repairing facility energy systems such as boilers, chillers and building controls, as well as central power and other small-scale plants. For larger projects, the Company frequently maintains staff on-site to perform these services.

Maintenance revenue is recognized using the input method to recognize revenue. In most cases, O&M fees are fixed annual fees. Because the Company is on-site to perform O&M services, the services are typically a distinct series of promises, and those services have the same pattern of transfer to the customer (i.e., evenly over time), the Company records the revenue on a straight-line basis. Some O&M service contract fees are billed on time expended. In those cases, revenue is recorded based on the time expended in that month.

Energy Assets - The Company’s service offerings also includes the sale of electricity, processed renewable gas fuel, heat or cooling from the portfolio of assets that the Company owns and operates. The Company has constructed and is currently designing and constructing a wide range of renewable energy plants using landfill gas (“LFG”), wastewater treatment biogas, solar, biomass, other bio-derived fuels, wind and hydro sources of energy. Most of the Company’s renewable energy projects to date have involved the generation of electricity from solar PV and LFG or the sale of processed LFG. The Company purchases the LFG that otherwise would be combusted or vented, processes it, and either sells it or uses it in its energy plants. The Company has also designed and built, as well as owns, operates and maintains, plants that take biogas generated in the anaerobic digesters of wastewater treatment plants and turns it into renewable natural gas that is either used to generate energy on-site or that can be sold through the nation’s natural gas pipeline grid. Where the Company owns and operates energy producing assets, the Company typically enters into a long-term power purchase agreement (“PPA”) for the sale of the energy. Many of the Company’s energy assets also produce environmental attributes, including renewable energy credits (“RECs”) and Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”). In most cases, the Company sells these attributes under separate agreements with third parties other than the PPA customer.

The Company recognizes revenues from the sale and delivery of the energy output from renewable energy plants, over time as produced and delivered to the customer, in accordance with specific PPA contract terms. Environmental attributes revenue is recognized at a point in time, when the environmental attributes are transferred to the customer in accordance with the transfer protocols of the environmental attributes market that the Company operates in. In those cases where environmental attributes are sold to the same customer as the energy output, the Company records revenue monthly for both the energy output and the environmental attribute output, as generated and delivered to the customer. =

Other - The Company’s service and product offerings also include integrated-PV and consulting and enterprise energy management services.

The Company recognizes revenues from delivery of engineering, consulting services and enterprise energy management services over time. For the sale of solar materials, revenue is recognized at a point in time when the Company has transferred physical control of the asset to the customer upon shipment.

To the extent a contract is deemed to have multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price of the contract to each performance obligation using its best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.

Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings represents advanced billings on certain construction contracts. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings represent certain amounts under customer contracts that were earned and billable but not invoiced.

See Note 3 for additional information on the Company’s revenues.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues include the cost of labor, materials, equipment, subcontracting and outside engineering that are required for the development and installation of projects, as well as preconstruction costs, sales incentives, associated travel, inventory obsolescence charges, amortization of intangible assets related to customer contracts and, if applicable, costs of procuring financing. A majority of the Company’s contracts have fixed price terms; however, in some cases the Company negotiates protections, such as a cost-plus structure, to mitigate the risk of rising prices for materials, services and equipment.

Cost of revenues also include the costs of maintaining and operating the small-scale renewable energy plants that the Company owns, including the cost of fuel (if any) and depreciation charges.

Income Taxes

The Company provides for income taxes based on the liability method. The Company provides for deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities calculated using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for recognizing and resolving uncertain tax positions. The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors that include, but are not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective settlement of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position. The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis and adjusts the level of the liability to reflect any subsequent changes in the relevant facts surrounding the uncertain positions.

The Company’s liabilities for uncertain tax positions can be relieved only if the contingency becomes legally extinguished through either payment to the taxing authority or the expiration of the statute of limitations, the recognition of the benefits associated with the position meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold or the liability becomes effectively settled through the examination process.

The Company considers matters to be effectively settled once the taxing authority has completed all of its required or expected examination procedures, including all appeals and administrative reviews; the Company has no plans to appeal or litigate any aspect of the tax position; and the Company believes that it is highly unlikely that the taxing authority would examine or re-examine the related tax position. The Company also accrues for potential interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

The Company has presented all deferred tax assets and liabilities as net and noncurrent on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

See Note 7 for additional information on the Company’s income taxes.

Foreign Currency

The local currency of the Company’s foreign operations is considered the functional currency of such operations. All assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency translation gains and losses are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reported in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Financial Instruments

Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, long-term contract receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses, financing lease assets and liabilities, contingent considerations, short- and long-term borrowings, make-whole provisions, interest rate swaps, and commodity swaps. Because of their short maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, certain contingent considerations, and short-term borrowings approximate fair value.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company follows the guidance related to fair value measurements for all of its non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for those recognized at fair value in the financial statements at least annually. These assets include goodwill and long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessments, and non-financial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination.

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, long-term contract receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses, financing lease assets and liabilities, contingent considerations, short and long-term borrowings, interest rate swaps, and commodity swaps. Because of their short maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value. The carrying value of long-term variable-rate debt approximates fair value. Fair value of the Company’s debt is based on quoted market prices or on rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities, which are level two inputs of the fair value hierarchy, as defined in Note 10.

The Company accounts for its interest rate swaps and commodity swaps as derivative financial instruments in accordance with the related guidance. Under this guidance, derivatives are carried on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate and commodity swaps are determined based on observable market data in combination with expected cash flows for each instrument. The Company accounts for its make-whole provision features as embedded derivatives in accordance with related guidance. Under this guidance, the derivative is bifurcated from its host contract and recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The fair value of the Company’s make-whole provisions are determined based on observable market data and a with and without model.

The consideration for the Company’s acquisitions often includes future payments that are contingent upon the occurrence of a particular event. The Company records a contingent consideration obligation for such contingent consideration payments at fair value on the acquisition date. The Company estimates the acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration obligations through valuation models that incorporate probability adjusted assumptions related to the achievement of the milestones and the likelihood of making related payments. Each period the Company revalues the contingent consideration obligations associated with the acquisition to fair value and records changes in the fair value as contingent consideration expense within the selling, general and administrative expenses line in our condensed consolidated statements of income. Increases or decreases in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations can result from changes in assumed discount periods and rates, changes in the assumed timing and amount of revenue and expense estimates and changes in assumed probability with respect to the attainment of certain financial and operational metrics, among others. Significant judgment is employed in determining these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Accordingly, future business and economic conditions, as well as changes in any of the assumptions described above, can materially impact the amount of contingent consideration expense recorded in any given period. However, deferred consideration related to certain holdbacks and completion payments are considered short-term in nature. These amounts are recorded at full value and are only revalued if one of those underlying assumptions changes.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense results from the issuance of shares of restricted common stock and grants of stock options to employees, directors, outside consultants and others. The Company recognizes the costs associated with restricted stock option grants, and employee stock purchases made via the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) using the fair value recognition provisions of accounting standards codification (“ASC”) 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the awards. Certain option grants have performance conditions that must be achieved prior to vesting and are expensed based on the expected achievement at each reporting period. Stock-based compensation expense is also recognized in association with employee stock purchases related to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan.

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized based on the grant-date fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of the stock-based awards, including stock options, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards requires the use of highly subjective assumptions, including the fair value of the common stock underlying the award, the expected term of the award and expected stock price volatility.

The assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock-based awards represent management’s estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change, and different assumptions are employed, the stock-based compensation could be materially different in the future. The risk-free interest rates are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant, with maturities approximating the expected life of the stock options.

The Company has no history of paying dividends. Additionally, as of each of the grant dates, there was no expectation that the Company would pay dividends over the expected life of the options. The expected life of the awards is estimated using historical data and management’s expectations. The Company uses historical volatility as the expected volatility assumption required in the Black-Scholes model.

The Company is required to recognize compensation expense for only the portion of options that are expected to vest. If there are any modifications or cancellations of the underlying invested securities or the terms of the stock option, it may be necessary to accelerate, increase or cancel any remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense, including expense related to the ESPP, of $385 and $355, respectively, in connection with the stock-based payment awards. The compensation expense is allocated to selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income based on the salaries and work assignments of the employees holding the options. As of March 31, 2019, there was $4,034 of unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock option awards that is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.

Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Company utilizes derivatives contracts as part of its risk management strategy to manage exposure to market fluctuations in interest and commodity rates. These instruments are subject to various credit and market risks. Controls and monitoring procedures for these instruments have been established and are routinely reevaluated. Credit risk represents the potential loss that may occur because a party to a transaction fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. The measure of credit exposure is the replacement cost of contracts with a positive fair value. The Company seeks to manage credit risk by entering into financial instrument transactions only through counterparties that the Company believes to be creditworthy.

Market risk represents the potential loss due to the decrease in the value of a financial instrument caused primarily by changes in interest rates and commodity prices. The Company seeks to manage market risk by establishing and monitoring limits on the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken. As a matter of policy, the Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. The Company considers the use of derivatives with all financing transactions to mitigate risk.

The Company recognizes cash flows from derivative instruments as operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The effective portion of changes in fair value on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges are recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Changes in fair value on derivatives not designated as hedges are recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income.

The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 during the third quarter of 2018. Upon adoption, the Company recognized an increase to retained earnings and an accumulated other comprehensive loss of $432 to remove the cumulative effect of hedging ineffectiveness previously recognized in earnings, as of January 1, 2018, for contracts designated as hedging instruments that were outstanding at the beginning of the third quarter 2018.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated using the Company’s weighted-average outstanding common shares, including vested restricted shares. When the effects are not anti-dilutive, diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted-average outstanding common shares; the dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock, under the “if converted” method; and the treasury stock method with regard to warrants and stock options; all as determined under the treasury stock method.

Variable Interest Entities

Certain contracts are executed jointly through partnership and joint venture arrangements with unrelated third parties. The arrangements are often formed for the single business purpose of executing a specific project and allow the Company to share risks and/or secure specialty skills required for project execution.

The Company evaluates each partnership and joint venture at inception to determine if it qualifies as a VIE under ASC 810, Consolidation. A variable interest entity is an entity used for business purposes that either (a) does not have equity investors with voting rights or (b) has equity investors who are not required to provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities without additional subordinated financial support. Upon the occurrence of certain events outlined in ASC 810, the Company reassesses its initial determination of whether the partnership or joint venture is a VIE.

The Company also evaluates whether it is the primary beneficiary of each VIE and consolidates the VIE if the Company has both (a) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company considers the contractual agreements that define the ownership structure, distribution of profits and losses, risks, responsibilities, indebtedness, voting rights and board representation of the respective parties in determining whether it qualifies as the primary beneficiary. The Company also considers all parties that have direct or implicit variable interests when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary. When the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, the VIE is consolidated. As required by ASC 810, management's assessment of whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE is continuously performed.

The Company generally aggregates the disclosures of its VIEs based on certain qualitative and quantitative factors including the purpose and design of the underlying VIEs, the nature of the assets in the VIE, and the type of involvement the Company has with the VIE including its role and type of interest held in the VIE.

Equity Method Investment

The Company has entered into a joint venture that the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE using the methodology previously described for variable interest entities. The Company does not consolidate the operations of this joint venture and treats the joint venture as an equity method investment. See Note 12 for additional information on the Company’s equity method investment.

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

In each of September 2015, June 2017, June 2018 and October 2018, the Company formed an investment fund with a different third party investor which granted the applicable investor ownership interests in the net assets of certain of the Company’s renewable energy project subsidiaries. The Company currently has four such investment funds each with a different third party investor.

The Company entered into these agreements in order to finance the costs of constructing energy assets which are under long-term customer contracts. The Company has determined that these entities qualify as VIEs and that it is the primary beneficiary in the operational partnerships for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the Company will consolidate the assets and liabilities and operating results of the entities in its condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company will recognize the investors’ share of the net assets of the subsidiaries as redeemable non-controlling interests in its condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company has determined that the provisions in the contractual arrangements represent substantive profit-sharing arrangements. The Company has further determined that the appropriate methodology for attributing income and loss to the redeemable non-controlling interests each period is a balance sheet approach referred to as the hypothetical liquidation at book value (“HLBV”) method. Under the HLBV method, the amounts of income and loss attributed to the redeemable non-controlling interests in the condensed consolidated statements of income reflect changes in the amounts the investors would hypothetically receive at each balance sheet date under the liquidation provisions of the contractual agreements, assuming the net assets of this funding structure were liquidated at recorded amounts. The investors’ non-controlling interest in the results of operations of this funding structure is determined as the difference in the non-controlling interest’s claim under the HLBV method at the start and end of each reporting period, after taking into account any capital transactions, such as contributions or distributions, between the Company’s subsidiaries and the investors. The use of the HLBV methodology to allocate income to the redeemable non-controlling interest holders may create volatility in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income as the application of HLBV can drive changes in net income available and loss attributable to the redeemable non-controlling interests from quarter to quarter.

The Company classified the non-controlling interests with redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Company outside of permanent equity on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. The redeemable non-controlling interests will be reported using the greater of their carrying value at each reporting date as determined by the HLBV method or the estimated redemption values in each reporting period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Leases

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Topic 840, Leases. Under the new guidance, the Company is electing to only recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the condensed consolidated statements of income. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 using the modified retrospective approach of applying the new standard at the adoption date. See Note 8 for the impact of the adoption and the new disclosures required by this standard.

In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements, which provides clarification and improvements to the previous issued guidance. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2019-01 on its condensed consolidated financial statements, but does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Intangibles-Goodwill and Other

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use-Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which clarifies the accounting for implementation, setup, and upfront costs and aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The new standard is effective interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2019 and the adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issues ASU No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2018-13 on its condensed consolidated financial statements, but does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, to allow entities to reclassify the income tax effects of tax reform legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) on items within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2019. Upon adoption, the Company recognized an increase to retained earnings and a corresponding increase to accumulated other comprehensive loss of $217.

Consolidations

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810), Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, which aligns the evaluation of whether a decision maker's fee is a variable interest with the guidance in the primary beneficiary test by requiring the decision maker to consider an indirect interest in a VIE held by related party under common control on a proportionate basis. The new standard is effective interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact ASU 2018-17 on its condensed consolidated financial statements, but does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.