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, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business

VSE Corporation (collectively, with its consolidated subsidiaries), "VSE," the "Company," "us," "we," or "our" is a diversified aftermarket products and services company. Our operations include aircraft and airframe parts supply and distribution, supply chain and inventory management services; MRO of aircraft components and engine accessories; vehicle fleet sustainment programs; vehicle fleet parts supply and distribution. We serve commercial and government markets. We operate in two reportable segments aligned with our operating segments: Aviation and Fleet.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and include the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows our parent company and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

In May 2023, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Federal and Defense segment which we mutually agreed to terminate in September 2023, with neither party paying any termination fees. In February 2024, we entered into two separate agreements to sell substantially all of the Federal and Defense segment assets. See Note (3) "Discontinued Operations" and Note (18) "Subsequent Events" for further information. The consolidated financial statements reflect the Federal and Defense segment's results of operations as discontinued operations, and the related assets and liabilities as held-for-sale for all periods presented.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial information to reflect discontinued operations presentation. Unless otherwise noted, amounts and disclosures throughout these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relate solely to continuing operations and exclude all discontinued operations.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates affecting the financial statements may include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements, inventory provisions, collectability of receivables, estimated profitability of long-term contracts, valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets and contingencies.

Stock-Based Compensation

We issue stock-based awards as compensation to employees and directors. Stock-based awards include stock-settled bonus awards, time-vested stock awards and performance share awards. We recognize stock-based compensation expense over the underlying award’s requisite service period, as measured using the award’s grant date fair value. Our policy is to recognize forfeitures as they occur. For performance share awards, we assess the probability of achieving the performance conditions at each reporting period end and adjust compensation expense based on the number of shares we expect to ultimately issue.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Shares issued during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they were outstanding. Our calculation of diluted earnings per common share includes the dilutive effects for the assumed vesting of outstanding stock-based awards. There were no antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the diluted per share calculation.
The weighted-average number of shares outstanding used to compute basic and diluted EPS were as follows:
  Years Ended December 31,
  2023 2022 2021
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 14,130,334  12,780,117  12,551,459 
Effect of dilutive shares 54,395  47,777  81,415 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 14,184,729  12,827,894  12,632,874 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Due to the short maturity of these instruments, the carrying values on our consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value.

As of December 31, 2023, we held approximately $6.0 million of cash in foreign bank accounts, primarily in connection with our acquisition of Desser Holding Company LLC ("Desser Aerospace"). Refer to Note (2) "Acquisitions," for details regarding our acquisitions.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is generally provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various assets. Property and equipment is generally depreciated over the following estimated useful lives: computer equipment, furniture, other equipment from three to 15 years; and buildings and land improvements from 15 to 20 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided by the straight-line method over the lesser of their useful life or the remaining term of the lease. 

Leases

We determine at inception whether an arrangement that provides us control over the use of an asset is a lease. Substantially all of our leases are long-term operating leases for facilities with fixed payment terms. We recognize a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and a lease liability upon commencement of our operating leases. The initial lease liability is equal to the future fixed minimum lease payments discounted using our incremental borrowing rate, on a secured basis. The lease term includes option renewal periods and early termination payments when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise those rights. The initial measurement of the ROU asset is equal to the initial lease liability plus any initial indirect costs and prepayments, less any lease incentives.

We recognize lease costs on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term, except for variable lease payments that are expensed in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred.

Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less with purchase options or extension options that are not reasonably certain to be exercised are not recorded on the balance sheet. Operating lease cost is included in costs and operating expenses on our consolidated statement of income.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of our trade receivables. Our trade receivables consist of amounts due from various commercial entities and government clients. We believe that concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the customer base and their dispersion across many different geographic regions. The credit risk, with respect to contracts with the government, is limited due to the creditworthiness of the respective governmental entity. We perform ongoing credit evaluations and monitoring of the financial condition of all our customers. We maintain an allowance for credit losses based upon several factors, including historical collection experience, current aging status of the customer accounts and financial condition of our customers.

Revenue Recognition

We account for revenue in accordance with ASC 606. The unit of account in ASC 606 is a performance obligation. At the inception of each contract with a customer, we determine our performance obligations under the contract and the contract's transaction price. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and is defined as the unit of account. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and
recognized as revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the respective goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and is, therefore, not distinct. For product sales, each product sold to a customer typically represents a distinct performance obligation. Our performance obligations are satisfied over time as work progresses or at a point in time based on transfer of control of products and services to our customers.
Substantially all our Fleet segment revenues from the sale of vehicle parts to customers are recognized at the point in time of the transfer of control to the customer. Sales returns and allowances for vehicle parts are not significant.

Our Aviation segment revenues result from the sale of aircraft parts and performance of MRO services for private and commercial aircraft owners, other aviation MRO providers, and aviation original equipment manufacturers. Our Aviation segment recognizes revenues for the sale of aircraft parts at a point in time when control is transferred to the customer, which usually occurs when the parts are shipped. Our Aviation segment recognizes revenues for MRO services over time as the services are transferred to the customer. MRO services revenue recognized is measured based on the cost-to-cost input method, as costs incurred reflect the work completed, and therefore the services transferred to date. Sales returns and allowances are not significant.

Receivables and Contract Assets

Receivables are recorded at amounts earned less an allowance. We review our receivables regularly to determine if there are any potentially uncollectible accounts. 

Contract assets include unbilled amounts typically resulting from sales under contracts when the cost-to-cost method of revenue recognition is utilized, and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer. The amounts may not exceed their estimated net realizable value. Contract assets are classified as current based on our contract operating cycle.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We establish allowances for credit losses on our accounts receivable and contract assets. To measure expected credit losses, we have disaggregated pools of receivable balances by segment. Within each segment, receivables exhibit similar risk characteristics. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, we consider historical collectability based on past due status. We also consider current market conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions to inform potential adjustments to historical loss data. In addition, we also record allowances for credit losses for specific receivables that are deemed to have a higher risk profile than the rest of the respective pool of receivables, such as concerns about a specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligation to us. The adequacy of these allowances is assessed quarterly through consideration of factors on a collective basis where similar characteristics exist and on an individual basis.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Inventories consist primarily of finished goods replacement parts for our Fleet and Aviation segments, and also include related purchasing, storage, and handling costs. Inventories for our Aviation segment consist primarily of aftermarket parts for distribution, and general aviation engine accessories and parts, and also include related purchasing, overhaul labor, storage, and handling costs.

We periodically evaluate the carrying value of inventory, considering factors such as its physical condition, sales patterns and expected future demand in order to estimate the amount necessary to write down any slow moving, obsolete or damaged inventory. These estimates could vary significantly from actual amounts based upon future economic conditions, customer inventory levels or competitive factors that were not foreseen or did not exist when the estimated write-downs were made.

During 2021, we recorded a $24.4 million provision for inventory within cost and operating expenses primarily related to slow moving and excess quantities of Aviation segment inventory supporting certain international region distribution programs entered into prior to 2019.

Deferred Compensation Plans

We established the VSE Corporation Deferred Supplemental Compensation Plan ("DSC Plan") for the benefit of certain key management employees to be incentivized and rewarded based on overall company performance. We recognized DSC Plan expenses of $0.4 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We invest in corporate owned life insurance ("COLI") products and in mutual funds that are held in a Rabbi Trust to fund the DSC Plan obligations. The COLI investments are recorded at cash surrender value and the mutual fund investments are recorded at fair value. The DSC Plan assets are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses recognized on the changes in fair value of the investments are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. We recorded net gains of $0.6 million and $22 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and a net loss of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are reported in other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. This method also requires the recognition of future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards, to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The carrying value of net deferred tax assets is based on assumptions regarding our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income to utilize these deferred tax assets.

Business Combinations

We allocate the purchase price of acquired entities to the underlying tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective estimated fair values, with any excess recorded as goodwill. The operating results of acquired businesses are included in our results of operations beginning as of their effective acquisition dates. For contingent consideration arrangements, a liability is recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date with subsequent fair value adjustments recorded in operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the purchase price paid in excess of the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is tested for potential impairment at the reporting unit level annually at the beginning of the fourth quarter, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

We estimate and compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its respective carrying value including goodwill. The fair value of our reporting units is determined using a combination of the income approach and the market approach, which involves the use of estimates and assumptions, including projected future operating results and cash flows, the cost of capital, and financial measures derived from observable market data of comparable public companies. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the amount of impairment expense is equal to the difference between the reporting unit’s fair value and the reporting unit’s carrying value.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the method that best reflects how their economic benefits are utilized or, if a pattern of economic benefits cannot be reliably determined, on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.  Intangible assets with finite lives are assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Excluding Goodwill)

We review our long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, operating lease right-of-use assets, and property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in facts and circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be fully recoverable and the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. When the carrying
amount of the asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the asset’s carrying amount to its estimated fair value based on the present value of its estimated future cash flows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses and other segment items on an interim and annual basis. Public entities with a single reportable segment are required to apply the disclosure requirements in ASU 2023-07, as well as all existing segment disclosures and reconciliation requirements in ASC 280 on an interim and annual basis. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. This guidance is required to be adopted by us beginning with the annual period of 2024. We are currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2023-07 may have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosure.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires public entities, on an annual basis, to provide disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation, as well as disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. This guidance is required to be adopted by us in the first quarter of 2025. We are currently evaluating the impact that adoption of ASU 2023-09 may have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosure.