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

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 nine months ended September 30, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012.  The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated December 31, 2011 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, has evolved into a Clean Technology company that develops, manufactures and sells proprietary energy efficiency and SmartGrid networking technology. 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 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 has reported net loss of $58,430 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2012, accumulated deficit of $118,402,626 and total current liabilities in excess of current assets of $51,176 as of September 30, 2012. 
 

We continue to experience net operating losses and deficits in cash flows from operations.  Our ability to continue as a going concern is subject to our ability to generate a profit and/or obtain necessary funding from outside sources, including proceeds from the issuance of debt or equity securities or assets, or obtaining loans from financial institutions, where possible.  Our continued net operating losses and the uncertainty regarding contingent liabilities cast doubt on our ability to meet such goals and the Company cannot make any representations for the remainder of fiscal 2012 and beyond. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

If the Company’s financial resources from operations are insufficient, the Company will require additional funding in order to execute its operating plan and continue as a going concern. The Company cannot predict whether this additional financing will be in the form of equity or debt, or another form. The Company may not be able to obtain the necessary additional capital on a timely basis, on acceptable terms, or at all.  In any of these events, the Company may be unable to implement its current plans for expansion, repay its debt obligations as they become due, or respond to competitive pressures, any of which circumstances would have a material adverse effect on its business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 Management intends to review the options for raising capital including, but not limited to, 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.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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.

The following method and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

“Accounts receivable, accounts payable and current portion of long-term debt.” The carrying amount of these items approximate fair value.

Restricted Cash on Deposit

During the third quarter of 2011, the Company was awarded a contract that contained a bonding requirement.  The Company satisfied this requirement with cash collateral supported by an irrevocable standby letter of credit in the amount of $91,000 which expires November 26, 2012.  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 at our reporting unit level and other intangible assets at our unit of account 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 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 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 period. There is no effect on diluted income (loss) per share since the majority of common stock equivalents are anti-dilutive. Dilutive common stock equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of the Company's outstanding stock options and warrants.

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 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 basis 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.

The Company also accounts for the uncertainty in income taxes related to the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return. The Company follows the applicable pronouncement guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, 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, 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.  We defer any revenue for which the product has not been delivered or is subject to refund until such time that we and the customer jointly determine that the product has been delivered or no refund will be required.  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.

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.

Total revenues do not include sales tax as we consider ourselves a pass through conduit for collection and remittance of sales tax.

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 period ended September 30, 2012 and year ended December 31, 2011, the Company experienced returns of approximately 2% to 8% material cost of sales. For the period ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded warranty liabilities in the amount of $62,642 and $104,423, respectively, using this experience factor range.

Product warranties for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is as follows:

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 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 2012 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 nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $1,259 and $5,655, and $104,928 and $44,720, 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 during the three months ended June 30, 2012. The remaining liability at September 30, 2012 is $146,103.