Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v2.4.0.6
Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
(8) Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standard for fair value measurements defines fair value, and establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value.  The standard is applicable whenever assets and liabilities are measured at fair value.

The fair value hierarchy established in the standard prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities – includes quoted prices for similar instruments,  quoted  prices  for identical or similar instruments in inactive markets, and amounts derived from valuation models where all significant inputs are observable in active markets; and

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs – includes amounts derived from valuation models where one or more significant inputs are unobservable and require us to develop relevant assumptions.

The following table summarizes the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and the level they fall within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

Amounts Recorded at Fair Value
Financial Statement Classification
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Fair Value March 31, 2013
 
 
Fair Value December 31, 2012
 
Non-COLI assets held in DSC Plan
Other assets
Level 1
 
$
139
 
 
$
120
 
Interest rate swaps
Accrued expenses
Level 2
 
$
937
 
 
$
1,194
 
Earn-out obligation – long-term
Earn-out obligations
Level 3
 
$
9,375
 
 
$
9,098
 

Changes in the fair value of the Non-COLI assets held in the deferred supplemental compensation plan, as well as changes in the related deferred compensation obligation, are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
 
We account for our interest rate swap agreements under the provisions of ASC 815, and have determined that our swap agreements qualify as highly effective hedges. Accordingly, the fair value of the swap agreements, which is a liability of approximately $937 thousand and $1.2 million at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, has been reported in accrued expenses.  The offset, net of an income tax effect of approximately $359 thousand and $457 thousand, is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the accompanying balance sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The amounts paid and received on the swap agreements will be recorded in interest expense as yield adjustments in the period during which the related floating-rate interest is incurred. We determine the fair value of the swap agreements based on a valuation model using market data inputs.

Our acquisitions of Akimeka and WBI may require future earn-out obligation payments.  The Akimeka acquisition may require additional payments to be made to the sellers of up to $11 million over a three-year post-closing period if Akimeka achieves certain financial performance targets. The first and second earn-out periods were calendar years ended 2011 and 2012, respectively. The third and final earn-out period is calendar year ending 2013. Akimeka did not achieve the required financial performance targets for the year ended December 31, 2012, therefore no earn-out was due.  The WBI acquisition may require additional payments to be made to the sellers of up to $40 million over a four-year post closing period if WBI achieves certain financial performance. WBI achieved required financial performance targets for the first earn-out period ended June 30, 2012. Approximately $7.1 million was paid to the sellers in September 2012 based on WBI's performance during the earn-out period. Included in earn-out obligations on the March 31, 2013 balance sheet is an earn-out obligation of approximately $9.4 million, which represents our best estimate of the present value of the earn-out obligation. Changes in the fair value of the earn-out obligations are recognized in earnings in the period of change through settlement.

We determined the fair value of the earn-out obligations related to the Akimeka and WBI acquisitions by using a valuation model that included the evaluation of all possible outcomes and the application of an appropriate discount rate.  At the end of each reporting period, the fair value of the contingent consideration is re-measured and any changes are recorded as contract costs. There was no change in the fair value of the Akimeka earn-out obligation during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The fair value of the WBI earn-out obligation increased $277 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the earn-out obligations measured at fair value on a recurring basis that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Earn-out obligations
 
Current portion
 
 
Long-term portion
 
 
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2012
 
$
-
 
 
$
9,098
 
 
$
9,098
 
Fair value adjustment included in earnings
 
 
-
 
 
 
277
 
 
 
277
 
Balance as of March 31, 2013
 
$
-
 
 
$
9,375
 
 
$
9,375
 
 
We utilize the Monte Carlo valuation model for our earn-out obligation. Significant unobservable inputs used to value the contingent consideration include projected EBITDA and the discount rate.  The model used a discount rate of 10.5%.  If a significant increase or decrease in the discount rate occurred in isolation, the result could be a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.