Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

A. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

v2.4.0.8
A. SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
NOTE A - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows.

 

Business and Basis of Presentation

 

Telkonet, Inc. (the “Company”), 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 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 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 $3,994,731 for the year ended December 31, 2013, and has an accumulated deficit of $121,948,847 and total current liabilities in excess of current assets of $570,401 as of December 31, 2013.

  

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 2014 and beyond. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

 

Anticipated cash flows from operations may be insufficient to satisfy the Company’s 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 December 31, 2013 was approximately $791,000 and the outstanding balance was zero. As of September 30 and December 31, 2013, the Company was in violation of a financial performance covenant. The outstanding balance at March 31, 2014 is $200,000. The Company is currently in negotiations with the Bank to modify the existing Agreement.

 

Management intends to review the options for raising capital including, but not limited to, through asset-based financing, private placements, and/or disposition of assets. Management believes that with this financing, the Company will be able to generate additional revenues that will allow the Company to continue as a going concern. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining additional funding.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with credit quality institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Restricted Cash on Deposit

 

During 2012, the Company was awarded a contract with a bonding requirement.  The Company satisfied this requirement during the year ended December 31, 2013, with cash collateral supported by an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of $382,000 which expires September 30, 2014, however, the Company can be released prior to expiration if the Company has satisfied all obligations. The amount is presented as restricted cash on deposit on the consolidated balance sheets. During March 2014, the Company satisfied all obligations related to the bonding requirement and the cash was released.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company records allowances for doubtful accounts based on customer-specific analysis and general matters such as current assessment of past due balances and economic conditions.  The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.  The allowance for doubtful accounts was $156,966 and $70,807 at December 31, 2013 and 2012. Management identifies a delinquent customer based upon the delinquent payment status of an outstanding invoice, generally greater than 30 days past due date.  The delinquent account designation does not trigger an accounting transaction until such time the account is deemed uncollectible. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined by examining the reserve history and any outstanding invoices that are over 30 days past due as of the end of the reporting period.  Accounts are deemed uncollectible on a case-by-case basis, at management’s discretion based upon an examination of the communication with the delinquent customer and payment history.  Typically, accounts are only escalated to “uncollectible” status after multiple attempts at collection have proven unsuccessful.

 

Property and Equipment

 

In accordance with ASC 360 “Property Plant and Equipment”, property and equipment is stated at cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives range from 2 to 10 years.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash on deposit, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, and certain accrued liabilities. The carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments, except for the notes payable. The carrying amount of the notes payable approximates fair value due to the interest rate and terms approximating those available to us for similar obligations.

 

The Company accounts for the fair value of financial instruments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, which defines fair value for accounting purposes, established a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements.  Fair value is defined as an exit price, which is the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid upon transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities generally correlates to the level of pricing observability.  Financial assets and liabilities with readily available, actively quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and require less judgment in measuring fair value.  Conversely, financial assets and liabilities that are rarely traded or not quoted have less price observability and are generally measured at fair value using valuation models that require more judgment.  These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency of the asset, liability or market and the nature of the asset or liability.  We have categorized our financial assets and liabilities that are recurring, at fair value into a three-level hierarchy in accordance with these provisions.

 

  · Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
     
  · Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; or
     
  · Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and are unobservable.

 

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 intangible 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. 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 their fair value.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of routers, switches and access points for Ethostream’s internet access solution and thermostats, sensors and controllers for Telkonet’s EcoSmart product suite.  These inventories are purchased for resale and do not include manufacturing labor and overhead. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market determined by the first in, first out (FIFO) method. The Company’s inventories are subject to technological obsolescence. Management evaluates the net realizable value of its inventories on a quarterly basis and records a provision for estimated losses based upon changes in demand and new product introductions.

 

Income (Loss) per Common Share

 

The Company computes earnings per share under ASC 260-10, “Earnings Per Share”.  Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net 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. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were 11,095,139 and 10,512,394 shares of common stock underlying options and warrants excluded due to these instruments being anti-dilutive, respectively.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States of America (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities 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. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters such as revenue recognition and allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory obsolescence, depreciation and amortization, long-lived and intangible asset valuations, impairment assessments, taxes and related valuation allowance, income tax provisions, stock-based compensation, and contingencies. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. Actual results may 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, and disclosure of such positions.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

For revenue from product sales, we recognize revenue in accordance with ASC 605-10, “Revenue Recognition” and ASC 605-10-S99 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 contracts that have both product and installation under the MEAs guidance in ASC 605. The Company believes the volume of these contracts will continue to increase. Arrangements under such contracts 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 element has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and (ii) delivery of the undelivered 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 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 –  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 standalone executed contracts.  We report such revenues as recurring revenues.

 

Sales Taxes

 

Unless provided with a resale or tax exemption certificate, the Company assesses and collects sales tax on sales transactions and records the amount as a liability. It is recognized as a liability until remitted to the applicable state. Total revenues do not include sales tax as we consider ourselves a pass through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes.

    

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 years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company experienced returns of approximately 1% to 4% of material’s included in the cost of sales. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded warranty liabilities in the amount of $77,943 and $69,743, respectively, using this experience factor range.

 

Product warranties for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 

    2013     2012  
Beginning balance   $ 69,743     $ 104,423  
Warranty claims incurred     (9,106 )     (66,278 )
Provision charged to expense     17,306       31,598  
Ending balance   $ 77,943     $ 69,743  

    

Advertising

 

The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expenses as incurred. The Company incurred $21,499 and $6,778 in advertising costs during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Research and Development

 

The Company accounts for research and development costs in accordance with the ASC 730-10, “Research and Development”. Under ASC 730-10, all research and development costs must be charged to expense as incurred. Accordingly, internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed or as milestone results have been achieved. Company-sponsored research and development costs related to both present and future products are expensed in the period incurred. Total expenditures on research and product development for 2013 and 2012 were $1,174,048 and $984,853, respectively.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We account for our stock-based awards in accordance with ASC 718-10,”Share-Based 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 will 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 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 year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $89,565 and $99,643, 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 and ceased utilizing this space for the Company’s benefit. Because we no longer have access to this subleased space, we have 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 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 December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $91,981 and $135,975, respectively.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.