Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

A. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

v2.4.0.8
A. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
General

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Telkonet, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with Rule S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. However, the results from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated December 31, 2012 financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Business and Basis of Presentation

Telkonet, Inc., formed in 1999 and incorporated under the laws of the state of Utah, is made up of two synergistic business divisions, EcoSmart Energy Management Technology and EthoStream High Speed Internet Access (HSIA) Network. Prior to January 1, 2007, the Company was primarily engaged in the business of developing, producing and marketing proprietary equipment enabling the transmission of voice and data communications over a building’s internal electrical wiring.

 

In March 2007, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Smart Systems International (“SSI”), a provider of energy management products and solutions to customers in the United States and Canada.

 

In March 2007, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding membership units of EthoStream, LLC, a network solutions integration company that offers installation, sales and service to the hospitality industry. The EthoStream acquisition enabled Telkonet to provide installation and support for power line communications or PLC, products and third party applications to customers across North America.

 

In March 2011, the Company sold all its Series 5 PLC power line carrier product line and related assets to Wisconsin-based Dynamic Ratings, Inc. under an Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Telkonet Communications, Inc., and EthoStream, LLC. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Going Concern

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern. The Company reported a net loss of $1,033,356 for the six months ended June 30, 2013, and has an accumulated deficit of $118,987,472 and total current liabilities in excess of current assets of $708,217 as of June 30, 2013.

 

Although we had net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 and positive cash flows from operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013, these results have not been achieved on a consistent basis. Our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to consistently generate a profit and positive operating cash flows and/or obtain necessary funding from outside sources, including by the sale of our securities or assets, or obtaining loans from financial institutions, where possible. We may also experience net operating losses in the future and the uncertainty regarding contingent liabilities cast doubt on our ability to satisfy such liabilities and the Company cannot make any representations for fiscal 2013 and beyond. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

 

The Company believes that anticipated cash flows from operations may be insufficient to satisfy its ongoing capital requirements for at least the next 12 months.  In May 2013, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Facility, the principal not to exceed $2,000,000. This credit facility is available for working capital and other lawful business purposes. The Company’s borrowing base at June 30, 2013 was $530,813 and the outstanding balance was $0. Management believes that the Company will be able to generate additional revenues and continued positive cash flows that will allow the Company to continue as a going concern.

Restricted Cash on Deposit

During 2012, the Company was awarded a contract with a bonding requirement.  The Company satisfied this requirement during the six months ended June 30, 2013, with cash collateral supported by an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of $382,000 which expires September 30, 2013.  The amount is presented as restricted cash on deposit on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

In accordance with the accounting guidance on goodwill and other intangible assets, we perform an annual impairment test of goodwill and other tangible assets at our reporting unit level, or more frequently if events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our reporting units below their carrying value. Amortization is recorded for other intangible assets with determinable lives using the straight line method over the 12 year estimated useful life. Goodwill is subject to a periodic impairment assessment by applying a fair value test based upon a two-step method. The first step of the process compares the fair value of the reporting unit with the carrying value of the reporting unit, including any goodwill. We utilize a discounted cash flow valuation methodology to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. This approach is developed from management’s forecasted cash flow data.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount of the reporting unit, goodwill is deemed not to be impaired.  If the carrying amount exceeds fair value, we calculate an impairment loss. Any impairment loss is measured by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying amount of goodwill at the reporting unit, with the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value recognized as an impairment loss.

Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360-10 “Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the carrying amount to the future net cash flows which the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the projected future cash flows arising from the asset determined by management to be commensurate with the risk inherent to our current business model.

Income (Loss) per Common Share

The Company computes net income (loss) per share under ASC 260-10, “Earnings Per Share”. Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding of common stock. Diluted income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the year. Dilutive common stock equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of the Company's outstanding stock options and warrants. As a result of the losses in the periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, there were 11,402,512 and 15,077,652 shares of common stock underlying options and warrants excluded, respectively, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

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 and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740-10 “Income Taxes.” Under this method, deferred income taxes (when required) are provided based on the difference between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating losses at the statutory rates enacted for future periods. The Company has a policy of establishing a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefits of its deferred income tax assets in the future.

 

The Company adopted ASC 740-10-25, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC 740-10-25 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, treatment of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure and transition related to the uncertainty in these income tax positions.

Revenue Recognition

For revenue from product sales, we recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 605-10, “Revenue Recognition” and ASC Topic 13 guidelines that require that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred; (3) the selling price is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.  Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered and the collectability of those amounts.  Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded.  The guidelines also address the accounting for arrangements that may involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services and/or rights to use assets.

 

Multiple-Element Arrangements (“MEAs”): The Company accounts for large contracts that have both product and installation under the MEAs guidance in ASC 605. The Company believes the volume of these large contracts will continue to increase. Arrangements under such contracts may include multiple deliverables, a combination of equipment and services.  The deliverables included in the MEAs are separated into more than one unit of accounting when (i) the delivered equipment has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and (ii) delivery of the undelivered service element(s) is probable and substantially in our control.  Arrangement consideration is then allocated to each unit, delivered or undelivered, based on the relative selling price (“RSP”) of each unit of accounting based first on vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) if it exists, second on third-party evidence (“TPE”) if it exists and on estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE or TPE exist.

 

    VSOE – In most instances, products are sold separately in stand-alone arrangements.  Services are also sold separately through renewals of contracts with varying periods.  We determine VSOE based on its pricing and discounting practices for the specific product or service when sold separately, considering geographical, customer, and other economic or marketing variables, as well as renewal rates or stand-alone prices for the service element(s).

 

    TPE – If we cannot establish VSOE of selling price for a specific product or service included in a multiple-element arrangement, we use third-party evidence of selling price.  We determine TPE based on sales of comparable amount of similar product or service offered by multiple third parties considering the degree of customization and similarity of product or service sold.

 

    ESP – The estimated selling price represents the price at which we would sell a product or service if it were sold on a stand-alone basis.  When neither VSOE nor TPE exists for all elements, we determine ESP for the arrangement element based on sales, cost and margin analysis, as well as other inputs based on our pricing practices.  Adjustments for other market and Company-specific factors are made as deemed necessary in determining ESP.

 

When MEAs include an element of customer training, it is not essential to the functionality, efficiency or effectiveness of the MEA. Therefore the Company has concluded that this obligation is inconsequential and perfunctory. As such, for MEAs that include training, customer acceptance of said training is not deemed necessary in order to record the related revenue, but is recorded when the installation deliverable is fulfilled. Historically, training revenues have not been significant.

We provide call center support services to properties installed by us and also to properties installed by other providers. In addition, we provide the property with the portal to access the Internet. We receive monthly service fees from such properties for our services and Internet access. We recognize the service fee ratably over the term of the contract. The prices for these services are fixed and determinable prior to delivery of the service. The fair value of these services is known due to objective and reliable evidence from contracts and standalone sales.  We report such revenues as recurring revenues.

Guarantees and Product Warranties

The Company records a liability for potential warranty claims in cost of sales at the time of sale. The amount of the liability is based on the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim, new product introductions and other factors. The products sold are generally covered by a warranty for a period of one year. In the event the Company determines that its current or future product repair and replacement costs exceed its estimates, an adjustment to these reserves would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company experienced returns of approximately 1% to 4% of material’s included in the cost of sales. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company recorded warranty liabilities in the amount of $77,443 and $69,743, respectively.

 

Product warranties for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

    June 30, 2013     December 31, 2012  
Beginning balance   $ 69,743     $ 104,423  
Warranty claims incurred     (4,429 )     (66,278 )
Provision charged to expense     12,129       31,598  
Ending balance   $ 77,443     $ 69,743  
Stock-Based Compensation

We account for our stock based awards in accordance with ASC 718-10, “Compensation”, which requires a fair value measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to our employees and directors, including employee stock options and restricted stock awards. We estimate the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model. This model requires us to make estimates and assumptions including, among other things, estimates regarding the length of time an employee will hold vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of our common stock price and the number of options that may be forfeited prior to vesting. The fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. Changes in these estimates and assumptions can materially affect the determination of the fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

The expected term of the options represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. For 2013 and prior years, expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for the related vesting periods.

  

Stock-based compensation expense in connection with options granted to employees for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $83,496 and $97,504, and $85,519 and $103,669, respectively.

Deferred Lease Liability

Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Rent escalations and rent abatement periods during the term of the lease create a deferred lease liability which represents the excess of cumulative rent expense recorded to date over the actual rent paid to date.

Lease Abandonment

On July 15, 2011, the Company executed a sublease agreement for approximately 12,000 square feet of commercial office space in Germantown, Maryland. Because we no longer have access to this subleased space, we recorded a charge of $59,937 in accrued liabilities and expenses related to this abandonment during 2011. On June 27, 2012 the subtenant exercised the option to extend the expiration of the term of the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015 and we recorded an additional charge of $132,174. The remaining liability at June 30, 2013 was $113,169 and at December 31, 2012 was $135,975.