Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

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Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]
1.
Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Nature of Business
 
PDI, Inc., together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (PDI or the Company), is a leading provider of integrated multichannel outsourced promotional services to established and emerging pharmaceutical, biotechnology and healthcare companies in the United States. PDI is a leading provider of outsourced sales teams that target healthcare providers, offering a range of complementary sales support services designed to achieve our customers' strategic and financial product objectives. In addition to outsourced sales teams in the United States, PDI also provides other promotional services, including clinical educator services, digital communications, teledetailing and with the formation of our new business unit during the second quarter of 2011, Interpace BioPharma, PDI provides pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostics clients with full-service product commercialization solutions. These services include distribution, full supply chain management, operations, sales, marketing, compliance, and regulatory/medical management. Combined, PDI's services offer customers a range of both personal and non-personal promotional options for the commercialization of their products throughout the product lifecycle, from development through maturity. PDI provides innovative and flexible service offerings designed to drive customers' businesses forward and successfully respond to a continually changing market. The Company's services provide a vital link between its customers and the medical community through the communication of product information to physicians and other healthcare professionals for use in the care of their patients. The Company provides these services through three reporting segments: Sales Services; Marketing Services; and Product Commercialization Services (PC Services).
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PDI, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Group DCA, LLC (Group DCA); ProtoCall, Inc.; PDI Investment Company, Inc., Interpace BioPharma; and presented as discontinued operations, InServe Support Solutions (Pharmakon) and TVG, Inc. (TVG).  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Accounting Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported 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.  Management's estimates are based on historical experience, facts and circumstances available at the time, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Significant estimates include incentives earned or penalties incurred on contracts, best estimate of selling price in multiple element arrangements, valuation allowances related to deferred income taxes, self-insurance loss accruals, allowances for doubtful accounts and notes, income tax accruals, acquisition accounting, asset impairments and facilities realignment accruals.  The Company periodically reviews these matters and reflects changes in estimates as appropriate.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted cash accounts, money market investments and highly liquid investment instruments with original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
 
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.  Management reviews a customer’s credit history before extending credit.  The Company records a provision for estimated losses based upon the inability of its customers to make required payments using historical experience and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect actual experience.  Additionally, the Company will establish a specific allowance for doubtful accounts when it becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability or unwillingness to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filing).  There was no allowance for doubtful accounts for trade accounts receivables as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
Unbilled Costs and Accrued Profits
 
In general, contractual provisions, including predetermined payment schedules or submission of appropriate billing detail, establish the prerequisites for billings.  Unbilled costs and accrued profits arise when services have been rendered and payment is assured but customers have not been billed.  These amounts are classified as a current asset.
 
Unearned Contract Revenue
 
Normally, in the case of detailing and e-detailing contracts, the customers agree to pay the Company a portion of the fee due under a contract in advance of performance of services because of large recruiting and employee development costs associated with the initial phase of a contract performance and effort required in the development of interactive digital communications.  The excess of amounts billed over revenue recognized represents unearned contract revenue, which is classified as a current liability.

Loans and Investments in Privately Held Entities
 
From time-to-time, the Company makes investments in and/or loans to privately-held companies.  The Company determines whether the fair values of any investments in privately held entities have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable.  If the Company considers any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, and the overall health of the investee’s industry), a write-down to estimated fair value is recorded.  On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews outstanding loans receivable to determine if a provision for doubtful notes is necessary.  These reviews include discussions with senior management of the investee, and evaluations of, among other things, the investee’s progress against its business plan, its product development activities and customer base, industry market conditions, historical and projected financial performance, expected cash needs and recent funding events.  The Company records interest income on the impaired loans; however, that amount is fully reserved if the investee is not making its interest payments.  Subsequent cash receipts on the outstanding interest are applied against the outstanding interest receivable balance and the corresponding allowance.  The Company’s assessments of value are subjective given that the investees may be at an early stage of development and rely regularly on their investors for cash infusions.  As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had a loan receivable balance of $0.5 million which was fully reserved.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation and amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis, using the estimated useful lives of: seven to ten years for furniture and fixtures; two to five years for office and computer equipment; and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated service lives or the terms of the related leases which are currently five to six years.  Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.  Upon disposition, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and any gains or losses are reflected in operations.
 
Software Costs
 
It is the Company’s policy to capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software.  Capitalized software costs are included in property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet and amortized over the software’s useful life, generally three to seven years.  Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed immediately.
 
Concentration of Credit Risk
 
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities. The Company maintains deposits in federally insured financial institutions.  The Company also holds investments in Treasury money market funds that maintain an average portfolio maturity less than 90 days and, under the temporary guarantee program for money market funds, are insured by the United States Treasury.  Deposits held with financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, management believes the Company is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the financial institutions in which those deposits are held and the nature of the investments.
 
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
 
The Company allocates the cost of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the remaining amount classified as goodwill.  Since the entities the Company has acquired do not have significant tangible assets, a significant portion of the purchase price has been allocated to intangible assets and goodwill.  The identification and valuation of these intangible assets and the determination of the estimated useful lives at the time of acquisition, as well as the completion of impairment tests require significant management judgments and estimates.  These estimates are made based on, among other factors, consultations with an accredited independent valuation consultant, reviews of projected future operating results and business plans, economic projections, anticipated highest and best use of future cash flows and the market participant cost of capital.  The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets, and potentially result in a different impact to the Company’s results of operations.  Further, changes in business strategy and/or market conditions may significantly impact these judgments and thereby impact the fair value of these assets, which could result in an impairment of the goodwill or intangible assets.
 
The Company tests its goodwill and indefinite lived intangible asset (Group DCA corporate tradename) for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) and whenever events or circumstances change that indicate impairment may have occurred.  A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in our expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in our stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate of the pharmaceutical industry; unanticipated competition; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill, the indefinite lived intangible asset and our consolidated financial results.
 
The Company tests its goodwill for impairment at the business (reporting) unit level, which is one level below its operating segments.  The goodwill has been assigned to the reporting unit to which the value relates.  One of the Company's five reporting units, Group DCA, has goodwill. The Company tested goodwill by estimating the fair value of the reporting unit using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. The key assumptions used in the DCF model to determine the highest and best use of estimated future cash flows include revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal forecasts, terminal value and a market participant’s weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows to their present value. The Company tested the indefinite lived intangible asset using a Relief From Royalty Method (RFRM) under the Income Approach. The key assumptions used in the RFRM model include revenue growth rates, the terminal value and the assumed discount rate. While the Company uses available information to prepare estimates and to perform impairment evaluations, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates or related projections, resulting in impairment related to recorded goodwill balances.  See Note 4, Fair Value Measurements, Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Note 18, Discontinued Operations for further information.
 
Long-Lived Assets, including Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
 
The Company reviews the recoverability of long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable.  If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized by reducing the recorded value of the asset to its fair value measured by future discounted cash flows.  This analysis requires estimates of the amount and timing of projected cash flows and, where applicable, judgments associated with, among other factors, the appropriate discount rate.  Such estimates are critical in determining whether any impairment charge should be recorded and the amount of such charge if an impairment loss is deemed to be necessary.  In addition, future events impacting cash flows for existing assets could render a write-down or write-off necessary that was not previously required.  For a discussion of impairment related to finite-lived intangible assets, see Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded non-cash charges of approximately $0.6 million for the impairment of certain furniture and leasehold improvements as a result of exiting the remaining space in Dresher, Pennsylvania. This charge has been recorded in discontinued operations. See Note 14, Facilities Realignment, and Note 18, Discontinued Operations, for additional information. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded non-cash charges of approximately $0.1 million for the impairment of certain furniture and leasehold improvements as a result of exiting the space in Schaumburg, Illinois. This charge has been recorded in discontinued operations. See Note 14, Facilities Realignment, and Note 18, Discontinued Operations, for additional information.
 
Self-Insurance Accruals
 
The Company is self-insured for benefits paid under employee healthcare programs.  The Company’s liability for healthcare claims is estimated using an underwriting determination which is based on the current year’s average lag days between when a claim is incurred and when it is paid.  The Company maintains stop-loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit its total exposure on all of these programs.  Periodically, the Company evaluates the level of insurance coverage and adjusts insurance levels based on risk tolerance and premium expense.  Management reviews the self-insurance accruals on a quarterly basis.  Actual results may vary from these estimates, resulting in an adjustment in the period of the change in estimate.  Prior to October 1, 2008, the Company was  also self-insured for certain losses for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported relating to workers’ compensation and automobile-related liabilities for Company-leased cars.  Beginning October 1, 2008, the Company became fully-insured through an outside carrier for these losses.  The Company’s liability for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported prior to October 1, 2008 is estimated on an actuarial undiscounted basis supplied by our insurance brokers and insurers using individual case-based  valuations and statistical analysis. These estimates are based upon judgment and historical experience.  However, the final cost of many of these claims may not be known for five years or more after filing of the claim. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, self-insurance accruals totaled $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and are included in other accrued expenses on the balance sheet.
 
Contingencies
 
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various contingencies.  Loss contingencies are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, or otherwise disclosed.  The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings and, as required, the Company has accrued its estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of these claims. These estimates are developed in consultation with outside counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies.  Predicting the outcome of claims and litigation, and estimating related costs and exposures, involves substantial uncertainties that could cause actual costs to vary materially from estimates.
 
Revenue and Cost of Services
 
The Company recognizes revenue from services rendered when the following four revenue recognition criteria are met:  persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; services have been rendered; the selling price is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured.  Many of the product detailing contracts allow for additional periodic incentive fees to be earned if certain performance benchmarks have been attained. See Note 2, Recent Accounting Standards, for a discussion of the impact of newly adopted revenue recognition rules on arrangements with multiple deliverables.
 
Sales Services
 
Revenue under pharmaceutical detailing contracts is generally based on the number of physician details made or the number of sales representatives utilized.  Revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period or as the physician details are performed. A portion of revenues earned under certain contracts may be risk-based. The risk-based metrics are based on contractually defined percentages of prescriptions written.  Revenue from risk-based metrics is recognized in the period which the metrics have been attained and when we are reasonably assured that payment will be made. Many of the Company's product detailing contracts also allow for additional periodic incentive fees to be earned if certain activity based performance benchmarks have been attained. Revenue from incentive fees is recognized in the period earned if the performance benchmarks have been attained and when the Company is reasonably assured that payment will be made.   Many contracts also stipulate penalties if agreed upon performance benchmarks have not been met.  Revenue is recognized net of any potential penalties until the performance criteria relating to the penalties have been achieved.  Commission based revenue is recognized when performance is completed. 
 
The Company's product detailing contracts are generally for terms of one to two years and may be renewed or extended.  The majority of these contracts, however, are terminable by the customer for any reason upon 30 to 180 days’ notice.  Certain contracts provide for termination payments if the customer terminates the agreement without cause.  Typically, however, these penalties do not offset the revenue the Company could have earned under the contract or the costs it may incur as a result of its termination.
 
The Company maintains continuing relationships with its Sales Services customers which may lead to multiple ongoing contracts with one customer. In situations where the Company enters into multiple contracts with one customer at or near the same time, the Company evaluates the various factors involved in negotiating the arrangements in order to determine if the contracts were negotiated as a package and should be accounted for as a single agreement.
 
The loss or termination of large pharmaceutical detailing contracts could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  Historically, the Company has derived a significant portion of its service revenue from a limited number of customers.  Concentration of business in the pharmaceutical industry is common and the industry continues to consolidate.  As a result, the Company is likely to continue to experience significant customer concentration in future periods.  For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company’s three largest customers, each of whom individually represented 10% or more of the Company's service revenue, collectively accounted for approximately 72.4% and 82.6% of its service revenue, respectively.  See Note 13, Significant Customers, for additional information.
 
Cost of services consists primarily of the costs associated with executing product detailing programs, performance based contracts or other sales and marketing services identified in the contract and includes personnel costs and other direct costs, as well as the initial direct costs associated with staffing a product detailing program. Personnel costs, which constitute the largest portion of cost of services, include all labor related costs, such as salaries, bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes for the sales representatives, sales managers and professional staff that are directly responsible for executing a particular program. Initial direct program costs are those costs associated with initiating a product detailing program, such as recruiting, hiring, and training the sales representatives who staff a particular program. Other direct costs include, but are not limited to, facility rental fees, travel expenses, sample expenses and other promotional expenses. All personnel costs, initial direct program costs and other direct costs are expensed as incurred. 
 
Reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses include those relating to travel and other similar costs, for which the Company is reimbursed at cost by its customers.  Reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses incurred are characterized as revenue and an identical amount is included as cost of services in the consolidated statements of operations.  For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses were $24.8 million and $21.3 million, respectively.
 
Training costs include the costs of training the sales representatives and managers on a particular product detailing program so that they are qualified to properly perform the services specified in the related contract.  For the majority of the Company’s contracts, training costs are reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses.
 
Marketing Services
 
Revenue under marketing service contracts are primarily based on a series of deliverable services associated with the design and execution of interactive digital promotional programs.  The contracts are generally terminable by the customer for any reason.  Upon termination, the customer is generally responsible for payment for all work completed to date, plus the cost of any nonrefundable commitments the Company has made on behalf of the customer. 
 
Revenue from certain promotional contracts that include more than one service offering is accounted for as multiple-element arrangements.  For these contracts, the deliverable elements are divided into separate units of accounting provided the following criteria are met: the price is fixed and determinable; the delivered elements have stand-alone value to the customer; and there is no right of return or refund.  The contract revenue is then allocated to the separate units of accounting.  Revenue and cost of services are recognized for each unit of accounting separately as the related services are rendered and costs are incurred, respectively.

A majority of the Company's multiple-element arrangements generally contain two phases for each wave of promotional content that is developed under the program: the development phase and the delivery phase. The development phase represents the creation of the promotional assets to be used in the program while the delivery phase represents the delivery of those assets to the customer's target audience and any communications received from the targets in response to the materials. The Company has determined that these two phases represent the units of accounting of a majority of its multiple-element arrangements.

The Company uses its best estimate of selling price to determine the value of all deliverables within the development unit of accounting and a majority of the deliverables within the delivery unit of accounting. The best estimate of selling price of standard deliverables is derived primarily from the Company's standard rate card, which covers a majority of the deliverables included within its customer contracts and is reviewed and updated on an annual basis or more frequently if circumstances warrant, and management's margin objectives. Prices on the standard rate card are derived primarily from the Company's standard hourly project budgets and its standard hourly billing rate, however, these prices are then evaluated against recent market conditions and Company sales trends and may be adjusted by management in order to remain competitive in the current environment.

The best estimate of selling price of non-standard deliverables included within its customer contracts, which generally represent custom projects, is derived from the deliverable's hourly project budget and the Company's standard hourly billing rate. For a select few types of deliverables provided within its customer contracts, the Company uses third party evidence to determine the value of the deliverables. This applies primarily to the physical production of program recruitment tactics such as webkeys and direct mail, as well as other vendor services that the Company utilizes from time to time such as email broadcasting fees.

Revenue related to the development unit of accounting is recognized as the services are delivered. Revenue related to the delivery unit of accounting is recognized on a straight-line basis over the delivery phase of the project, as defined in the contract, and generally ranges between six and twelve months. 
 
The Company maintains continuing relationships with our Marketing Services customers which may lead to multiple ongoing contracts between the two parties. In situations where the Company enters into multiple contracts with one customer at or near the same time, it evaluates the various factors involved in negotiating the arrangements in order to determine if the contracts were negotiated together and should be accounted for as a single agreement.
 
Cost of services consists primarily of the costs associated with executing interactive digital promotional programs or other sales and marketing services identified in the contract and include personnel costs and other direct costs. Personnel costs, which constitute the largest portion of cost of services, include all labor related costs, such as salaries, bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes for the professional staff that are directly responsible for executing a particular program. Other direct costs include, but are not limited to, freelance costs; email broadcasting fees; list rental fees; cue card, webkey and direct mail production fees; and other promotional expenses.  All personnel costs and direct program costs are expensed as incurred.

PC Services

Revenue under product commercialization contracts is based on the number of sales representatives utilized and the commercial operations services we provide. The Company has determined that there are two units of accounting in our Interpace BioPharma arrangement: the Dedicated Sales Team providing product detailing services; and the commercial operations providing full supply chain management, operations, marketing, compliance, and regulatory/medical management services. Due to the significant level of customization, selling prices are determined for the Dedicated Sales Team through internal development of a program budget consistent with the manner of deriving selling prices that the Company employs in its Sales Services segment. Selling prices for commercial operations are determined by estimating the expenditures required to perform the services, plus the addition of a profit margin consistent with the expected profit margin to be generated by the Dedicated Sales Team. Revenue is recognized for the Dedicated Sales Team on a straight-line basis over the product detailing service period which begins upon deployment of the sales force. Revenue is recognized for commercial operations services as services are provided over the term of the contract. During the year ended December 31, 2011, one customer accounted for all of the revenue in the PC Services reporting segment.

In August 2011, Interpace BioPharma announced their first contract, a two and one-half year fee-for-service arrangement with a pharmaceutical company. This contract includes standard representations and warranties, as well as mutual confidentiality and indemnification obligations for the Company's protection, and is terminable by the customer without cause upon 180 days prior written notice after the first anniversary of the contract effective date. If the contract is terminated by the customer without cause, break up fees apply. The total compensation provided by the break up fee will not fully offset the revenue the Company would have earned from fully executing the contract or the costs the Company may incur as a result of its early termination.
 
This contract also includes exclusivity provisions limiting the Company's ability to promote competing products during the contract service period unless consent has been provided by the customer, and may also require the personnel the Company utilizes to be dedicated exclusively to promoting the customer’s product for the term of the contract. This agreement also includes incentive payments that can be earned if the Company's promotional activities generate results that meet or exceed agreed-upon performance targets.
 
Cost of services consists primarily of the costs associated with executing product detailing programs and includes personnel costs and other direct costs, as well as the initial direct costs associated with staffing a product detailing program. Cost of services may also include costs such as distribution, marketing and promotion, public relations, patient reimbursement programs, managed care support, and market research. Personnel costs, which constitute the largest portion of cost of services, include all labor related costs, such as salaries, bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes for the sales representatives, sales managers and professional staff that are directly responsible for executing the program. Initial direct program costs are those costs associated with initiating a product detailing program, such as recruiting, hiring, and training the sales representatives who staff a particular program. Other direct costs include, but are not limited to, facility rental fees, travel expenses, sample expenses and other promotional expenses. All personnel costs, initial direct program costs and other direct costs are expensed as incurred. 

Contract Loss Provisions
 
Provisions for losses to be incurred on contracts are recognized in full in the period in which it is determined that a loss will result from performance of the contractual arrangement.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The compensation cost associated with the granting of stock-based awards is based on the grant date fair value of the stock award.  The Company recognizes the compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the shorter of the vesting period or the period from the grant date to the date when retirement eligibility is achieved.  Forfeitures are initially estimated based on historical information and subsequently updated over the life of the awards to ultimately reflect actual forfeitures.  As a result, changes in forfeiture activity can influence the amount of stock compensation cost recognized from period to period.
 
The Company primarily uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options and stock-based stock appreciation rights (SARs). The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards is made on the date of grant and is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions made regarding a number of complex and subjective variables.  These assumptions include: expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards; actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors; the risk-free interest rate; and expected dividend yield.  These assumptions are more fully described in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation. The fair value of restricted stock units (RSUs) and restricted shares is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.
 
Treasury Stock
 
Treasury stock purchases are accounted for under the cost method whereby the entire cost of the acquired stock is recorded as treasury stock.  Upon reissuance of shares, the Company records any difference between the weighted-average cost of such shares and any proceeds received as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital.
 
Rent Expense
 
Minimum rental expenses are recognized over the term of the lease.  The Company recognizes minimum rent starting when possession of the property is taken from the landlord, which may include a construction period prior to occupancy.  When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the recognized rental expense and the amounts payable under the lease as a deferred rent liability.  The Company may also receive tenant allowances including cash or rent abatements, which are reflected in other accrued expenses and long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. These allowances are amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the lease.  Certain leases provide for contingent rents that are not measurable at inception.  These contingent rents are primarily based upon use of utilities and the landlord’s operating expenses.  These amounts are excluded from minimum rent and are included in the determination of total rent expense when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable.
 
Income taxes
 
Income taxes are based on income for financial reporting purposes calculated using the Company’s expected annual effective rate and reflect a current tax liability or asset for the estimated taxes payable or recoverable on the current year tax return and expected annual changes in deferred taxes.  Any interest or penalties on income tax are recognized as a component of income tax expense.
 
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between tax bases and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities based on enacted tax laws and rates.  Deferred tax expense (benefit) is the result of changes in the deferred tax asset and liability.  A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce the deferred income tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
 
The Company operates in multiple tax jurisdictions and pays or provides for the payment of taxes in each jurisdiction where it conducts business and is subject to taxation.  The breadth of the Company’s operations and the complexity of the tax law require assessments of uncertainties and judgments in estimating the ultimate taxes the Company will pay.  The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions, outcomes of tax litigation and resolution of proposed assessments arising from federal and state audits.  Uncertain tax positions are recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company adjusts accruals for unrecognized tax benefits as facts and circumstances change, such as the progress of a tax audit. The Company believes that any potential audit adjustments will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or liquidity. However, any adjustments made may be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows for a reporting period.
 
Significant judgment is also required in evaluating the need for and magnitude of appropriate valuation allowances against deferred tax assets.  Deferred tax assets are regularly reviewed for recoverability.  The Company currently has significant deferred tax assets resulting from net operating loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, which should reduce taxable income in future periods.  The realization of these assets is dependent on generating future taxable income.
 
Earnings per Share
 
Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year including any unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends.  Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares outstanding and dilutive common shares under the treasury method. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid), are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.
 
Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income includes net income and the net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities, net of tax.  Other comprehensive income is net of reclassification adjustments to adjust for items currently included in net income, such as realized gains and losses on investment securities.
 
Subsequent Events
 
There are no subsequent events the Company has identified for disclosure.
 
Reclassifications
 
The Company reclassified certain prior period financial statement balances to conform to the current year presentation. See Note 18, Discontinued Operations, for further information.