COUPON EXPRESS, INC. - FORM 10-Q - XML - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - March 15, 2012

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Principles

The financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid interest-earning investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The fair value of these investments will approximate their carrying value. In general, investments with original maturities of greater than three months and remaining maturities of less than one year will be classified as short-term investments. Investments with maturities beyond one year may be classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. All cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified as available for current operations. All cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified as available for sale and are recorded at market value using the specific identification method.

Fair Value

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable, notes payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Financial Statement Presentation

We have reclassified certain prior-year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Loss per Common Share

The Company complies with the accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Total potentially dilutive shares outstanding at January 31, 2012 and 2011 total 142,107,075 and 68,289,743 respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740 "Income Taxes," which requires accounting for deferred income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax asset and liabilities are computed for difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on the enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce the deferred income tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

In accordance with GAAP, the Company is required to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and may file income tax returns in various U.S. state and local jurisdictions. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized could result in the Company recording a tax liability that would reduce net assets. This policy also provides guidance on thresholds, measurement, de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition that is intended to provide better financial statement comparability among different entities. It must be applied to all existing tax positions upon initial adoption and the cumulative effect, if any, is to be reported as an adjustment to stockholder's equity as of November 1, 2011.

Based on its analysis, the Company has determined that the adoption of this policy did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements upon adoption. However, management's conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof.

Interest and Penalty Recognition on Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.

Comprehensive Income

The Company complies with FASB ASC Topic 220, "Comprehensive Income," which establishes rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive income (loss) and its components. FASB ASC Topic 220 requires the Company' to reflect as a separate component of stockholders' equity items of comprehensive income. 

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company complies with FASB ASC Topic 718 "Compensation - Stock Compensation," which establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity's equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. FASB ASC Topic 718 focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. FASB ASC Topic 718 requires an entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation costs are recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments will be estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments (unless observable market prices for the same or similar instruments are available). If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.

Valuation of Investments in Securities at Fair Value-Definition and Hierarchy

FASB ASC Topic 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the "exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches. In accordance with GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value calculations, as follows:

Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 securities. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.

Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined.

Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for securities categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company's own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including periods of market dislocation. In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many securities. This condition could cause a security to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy.

Valuation Techniques

The Company values investments in securities that are freely tradable and are listed on a national securities exchange or reported on the NASDAQ national market at their last sales price as of the last business day of the year.

Government Bonds

The fair value of sovereign government bonds is generally based on quoted prices in active markets. When quoted prices are not available, fair value is determined based on a valuation model that uses inputs that include interest-rate yield curves, cross-currency-basis index spreads, and country credit spreads similar to the bond in terms of issuer, maturity and seniority.

Certificate of Deposits

The fair values of the bank certificate of deposits are based on the face value of the certificate of deposits.

Product Warranty

We provide for the estimated costs of hardware and software warranties at the time the related revenue is recognized. For hardware warranty, we estimate the costs based on historical and projected project failure rates, historical and projected repair costs, and knowledge of specific product failures (if any). The specific hardware warranty terms and conditions vary depending upon the product supported and country in which we will do business, but generally include technical support, parts, and labor over a period generally ranging from 90 days to three years. For software, we estimate the costs to provide bug fixes, such as security patches, over the estimated life of the software. We will regularly reevaluate its estimates to assess the adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary. Product warranty costs have not been material to date. We have contracted with Speedwire at a flat rate of $50.00 per kiosk per month but service has not begun as we have not encountered in-field failures.

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated life of the asset of 5 years.

Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360 "Property, Plant, and Equipment," the Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amounts.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC Topic 825, "Financial Instruments," approximate their carrying amounts presented in the accompanying balance sheets at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011.

Revenue Recognition.

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. In the event we should enter into contracts where it is obligated to deliver multiple products and/or services, total revenue will be generally allocated among the products based upon the sale price of each product when sold separately.

We may also license or lease its products (rather than effect outright sales of the same). Revenues derived from licenses or leases will be treated as subscriptions, with billings recorded as unearned revenue and recognized as revenue ratably over the billing coverage period. Our potential multiple year licensing/lease transactions may include the right to receive future updated improvements to its product line. Some multi-year licensing/lease arrangements may include a perpetual license for current products combined with rights to receive future improved/updated versions of such products. Online advertising revenue derived from the kiosks and signage will be recognized as advertisements as they are displayed. Costs related to our product line are recognized when the related revenue is recognized.

Advertising

The Company expenses all advertising expenditures as incurred. The Company's did not incur any advertising expenses during the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as their related disclosures. Such estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could significantly differ from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income (Topic 220),” which requires companies to report total net income, each component of comprehensive income, and total comprehensive income on the face of the income statement, or as two consecutive statements. The components of comprehensive income will not be changed, nor does the ASU affect how earnings per share is calculated or reported. These amendments will be reported retrospectively upon adoption. The adoption of the ASU will be required for the Company’s January 31, 2012 Form 10-Q filing, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

In May 2011, the FASB issued an accounting standard update which works to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The update both clarifies the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value guidance, and also changes certain principles regarding measurement and disclosure.  The update is effective prospectively and is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application is permitted for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the update will have on its financial statements.

In December 2010, FASB issued ASC ASU 2010-28, “When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (Topic 350) — Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.” ASU 2010-28 amends the criteria for performing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires performing Step 2, if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists. Any impairment to be recorded upon adoption will be recognized as an adjustment to our beginning retained earnings. The Company adopted the pronouncement on January 1, 2011 resulting in no impact to the Company’s financial statements.