Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies

v3.20.1
Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Notes  
Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies

 

 

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes include the activity of majority-owned subsidiaries of 51% or more. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

 

Segment reporting

 

The Company has determined that there are two reportable segments: 1) the cannabis and medical marijuana segment, and 2) the Company’s legacy investment in WCI, which works with business park owners, governmental centers, and apartment complexes to reduce their facility related operating costs.

 

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

 

Significant estimates relied upon in preparing these consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, accounts and notes receivable reserves, expected future cash flows used to evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets, estimated fair values of long-lived assets used to record impairment charges related to investments, goodwill, amortization periods, accrued expenses, and recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance.

 

Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates if past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

From time to time, the FASB or other standards setting bodies issue new accounting pronouncements. Updates to the FASB Accounting Standard Codifications (“ASCs”) are communicated through issuance of an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”). Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued guidance, whether adopted or to be adopted in the future, is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

 

Revenue Recognition – On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (ASU 2014-09). Under the new guidance, an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Leasing revenue recognition is specifically excluded and therefore the new standard is only applicable to service fee and consulting revenue. A five-step model has been introduced for an entity to apply when recognizing revenue. The new guidance also includes enhanced disclosure requirements. The guidance was effective January 1, 2018 and was applied on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption did not have an impact on our financial statements.

 

Financial Instruments - On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which requires us to prospectively record changes in the fair value of our equity investments, except for those accounted for under the equity method, in net income instead of in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of January 1, 2018, we recognized a decrease of $34,822 in retained deficit for the cumulative effect of the adoption of ASU 2016-01, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI).

 

Lease Accounting – On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases,” or ASC 842, which requires the recognition of the right-of-use, or ROU, assets and related operating and finance lease liabilities on the balance sheet. As permitted by ASC 842, we elected the adoption date of January 1, 2019, which is the date of initial application. As a result, the consolidated balance sheet prior to January 1, 2019 was not restated, continues to be reported under ASC Topic 840, Leases, or ASC 840, which did not require the recognition of operating lease liabilities on the balance sheet, and is not comparative.

 

Under ASC 842, all leases are required to be recorded on the balance sheet and are classified as either operating leases or finance leases. The lease classification affects the expense recognition in the income statement. Operating lease charges are recorded entirely in operating expenses. Finance lease charges are split, where amortization of the right-of-use asset is recorded in operating expenses and an implied interest component is recorded in interest expense. The expense recognition for operating leases and finance leases under ASC 842 is substantially consistent with ASC 840. As a result, there is no significant difference in our results of operations presented in our consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income for each period presented. Under the new guidance, our lessor accounting is unchanged.

 

We adopted ASC 842 using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at January 1, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 had a substantial impact on our balance sheet. The most significant impact was the recognition of the operating lease right-of-use assets and the liability for operating leases. The accounting for finance leases (capital leases) was substantially unchanged. Accordingly, upon adoption, leases that were classified as operating leases under ASC 840 were classified as operating leases under ASC 842, and we recorded an adjustment of $538,179 to operating lease right-of-use assets and the related lease liability. The lease liability is based on the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments, determined under ASC 840, discounted using our secured incremental borrowing rate at the effective date of the original lease date, using the original lease term as the tenor. As permitted under ASC 842, we elected several practical expedients that permit us to not reassess (1) whether a contract is or contains a lease, (2) the classification of existing leases, and (3) whether previously capitalized costs continue to qualify as initial indirect costs. The application of the practical expedients did not have a significant impact on the measurement of the operating lease liability.

 

We also adopted the following standards on the applicable effective dates, none of which had a material impact on our financial statements or financial statement disclosures.

 

Standard

 

Effective date

2018-07

Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting

January 1, 2019

2018-02

Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

January 1, 2019

2017-08

Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs – Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities

January 1, 2018

2016-18

Statement of Cash Flows – Restricted Cash

January 1, 2018

2016-16

Income Taxes – Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory

January 1, 2018

2016-15

Statement of Cash Flows – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

January 1, 2018

 

Newly Issued Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

 

Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments – Issued in June 2016, ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” replaces the current incurred loss impairment method with a method that reflects expected credit losses. We plan to adopt the new standard on its revised effective date of our fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of Retained earnings. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Intangibles - Goodwill and Others – Issued in January 2017, ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those periods. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

Concentrations of cash

 

The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts which at times may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts nor does the Company believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all short-term debt securities purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had no short-term debt securities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable consist of trade accounts arising in the normal course of business and are classified as current assets and carried at original invoice amounts less an estimate for doubtful receivables based on historical losses as a percent of revenue in conjunction with a review of outstanding balances on a quarterly basis. The estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company's bad debt experience, market conditions, and aging of accounts receivable, among other factors. If the financial condition of the Company's customers deteriorates resulting in the customer's inability to pay the Company's receivables as they come due, additional allowances for doubtful accounts will be required. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has an allowance for doubtful receivables in the amount of $38,984 and $18,907, respectively.

 

Investments in securities, at fair value

 

Investment in securities consists of debt and equity securities reported at fair value. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” effective January 1, 2018, which requires that any change in fair value is reported in net income. The adoption of the guidance resulted in the recognition of $34,822 of net after-tax unrealized gains on equity investments as a cumulative effect adjustment that decreased our retained deficit as of January 1, 2018, and decreased AOCI by the same amount. The Company elected to report changes in the fair value of equity investment in realized investment gains (losses), net.

 

Long term investments

 

The Company’s investments in entities where it is a minority owner and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are recorded at fair value if readily determinable. If the fair market value is not readily determinable, the investment is recorded under the cost method. Under this method, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of such investee company is not included in the Company’s financial statements. The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-term investments for impairment each reporting period.

 

Convertible notes receivable

 

The Company had a convertible note receivable from Electrum Partners, LLC (“Electrum”) under an Addendum to Convertible Note and Purchase Option Agreement (“Addendum”) dated April 28, 2017. Under the Addendum, the Company invested an additional $100,000 in Electrum by the purchase of a second promissory note in the principal face amount of $100,000 (“Note II”) from Electrum, with interest at 10% per annum compounded monthly. Note II required monthly principal and interest payments of $2,290 to the Company beginning June 12, 2017. On May 31, 2018, the Company elected to convert the residual principal and accrued but unpaid interest totaling $86,256 into an additional equity investment in Electrum at $164 per unit for an additional 526 membership interest units. The Company holds 6,198 membership interests in Electrum at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

The Company has two convertible notes receivable from NeuCourt, Inc. which are recorded at the aggregate principal face amount of $75,000 plus accrued interest of $3,121 and $1,801 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, as presented in Note 7. The notes bear 5% interest. One $25,000 principal face amount note, which matured November 22, 2019, was extended to November 22, 2021. A second $50,000 principal face amount note matures on October 31, 2020. No payments are required prior to maturity, however, at the time the $25,000 note was extended, accrued interest through the extension date of November 7, 2019 was paid to Mentor. Principal and unpaid interest may be converted into a blend of shares of a to-be-created series of Preferred Stock, and Common Stock, of NeuCourt (defined as “Conversion Shares”) (i) on closing of a future financing round of at least $750,000, (ii) on the election of NeuCourt on maturity of the Note, or (iii) an election of Mentor following NeuCourt’s election to prepay the Note. The Conversion Price for the Note is the lower of (i) 75% of the price paid in the Next Equity Financing, or the price obtained by dividing a $3,000,000 valuation cap by the fully diluted number of shares. The number of Conversion Shares issued on conversion shall be the quotient obtained by dividing the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest on a Note to be converted on the date of conversion by the Conversion Price (the “Total Number of Shares”), The Total Number of Shares shall consist of Preferred Stock and Common Stock as follows: (i) That number of shares of Preferred Stock obtained by dividing (a) the principal amount of each Note and all accrued and unpaid interest thereunder by (b) the price per share paid by other purchasers of Preferred Stock in the Next Equity Financing (such number of shares, the "Number of Preferred Stock") and (ii) that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Total Number of Shares minus the Number of Preferred Stock.

 

Using the valuation cap of $3,000,000, the Notes would convert into an aggregate of 289,207 and 270,324 Conversion Shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In the event of a Corporate Transaction prior to repayment or conversion of the Note, the Company shall receive back two times the outstanding principal of each note, plus all accrued unpaid interest. NeuCourt is a Delaware corporation that is developing a technology that is expected to be useful in the dispute resolution industry.

 

Investment in account receivable, net of discount

 

On April 10, 2015, the Company entered into an Exchange Agreement whereby the Company received an investment in an account receivable with installment payments of $117,000 per year through 2026. The investment is stated at face value, net of unamortized purchase discount. The discount is amortized to interest income over the term of the exchange agreement.

 

Finance leases receivable

 

The Company, through its subsidiaries, is the lessor of manufacturing equipment subject to leases under master leasing agreements. The leases contain an element of dealer profit and lessee bargain purchase options at prices substantially below the subject assets’ estimated residual values at the exercise date for the options. Consequently, the Company classified the leases as sales-type leases (the “finance leases”) for financial accounting purposes. For such finance leases, the Company reports the discounted present value of (i) future minimum lease payments (including the bargain purchase option, if any) and (ii) any residual value not subject to a bargain purchase option as a finance lease receivable on its balance sheet and accrues interest on the balance of the finance lease receivable based on the interest rate inherent in the applicable lease over the term of the lease. For each finance lease, the Company recognized revenue in an amount equal to the net investment in the lease and cost of sales equal to the net book value of the equipment at the inception of the applicable lease.

 

A finance receivable is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to contractual terms. Impaired finance receivables include finance receivables that have been restructured and are troubled debt restructures. As discussed in Note 9, impairment of the finance lease receivable from G Farma was $786,680 at December 31, 2019, based on Management’s estimate of amounts we expect to recover, and is included in bad debt expense in the consolidated income statement for the year ended December 31, 2019. The finance receivables were not impaired as of December 31, 2018. Subsequent to year-end, on January 31, 2020, Mentor obtained possession of equipment leased to G Farma which was not impounded by the Corona Police, see Note 25.

 

Credit quality of notes receivable and finance leases receivable and credit loss reserve

 

As our notes receivable and finance leases receivable are limited in number, our management is able to analyze estimated credit loss reserves based on a detailed analysis of each receivable as opposed to using portfolio-based metrics. Our management does not use a system of assigning internal risk ratings to each of our receivables. Rather, each note receivable and finance lease receivable are analyzed quarterly and categorized as either performing or non-performing based on certain factors including, but not limited to, financial results, satisfying scheduled payments and compliance with financial covenants. A note receivable or finance lease receivable will be categorized as non-performing when a borrower experiences financial difficulty and has failed to make scheduled payments. As part of the monitoring process we may physically inspect the collateral or a borrower’s facility and meet with a borrower’s management to better understand such borrower’s financial performance and its future plans on an as-needed basis.

 

As described in Note 1, on March 14, 2019, the Company was notified by G Farma that the City of Corona Building Department closed access to G Farma’s corporate location and posted a notice preventing entry to the facility. The Building Department notice stated that G Farma had modified electric and gas lines. On April 24, 2019, the Company learned that certain G Farma assets at their corporate location, including equipment leased to G Farma by Mentor Partner I valued at approximately $427,804, had been impounded by the Corona Police. This event significantly impacted G Farma’s financial position and its ability to make payments under the finance lease receivable. G Farma has not made a lease payment since February 19, 2019 and had refused to return the remaining $792,425 of leased equipment. In addition, equipment valued at $66,374, being stored by a distributor at G Farma’s request, was returned by Partner I to the distributor for $15,000 less $5,000 for storage fees.

 

On May 28, 2019, the Company and Mentor Partner I, LLC filed a complaint against the G Farma Entities and three guarantors to the G Farma agreements, described in Notes 1, 8, 9, and 11, in the California Superior Court in and for the County of Marin. The Company is primarily seeking monetary damages for breach of the G Farma agreements including promissory notes, leases, and other agreements, as well as actions for an injunction to recover leased property, to recover collateral under a security agreement, and to collect from guarantors on the agreements. Mentor intends to vigorously pursue this matter; however, collection is uncertain at this time, see Note 21. Subsequent to year-end, on January 22, 2020, the Court granted the Company’s motion for a writ of possession and preliminary injunction prohibiting defendants from retaining control of or selling leased equipment. On January 31, 2020, all remaining equipment leased by Mentor Partner I to G Farma, which was not impounded by the Corona Police, was repossessed by the Company and moved to storage under the Company’s control and, on March 5, 2020, a portion of the recovered equipment was sold, See Note 25.

 

Property and equipment

 

Property and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the declining balance method over the estimated useful lives of various classes of property. The estimated lives of the property and equipment are generally as follows: computer equipment, three to five years; furniture and equipment, seven years; and vehicles and trailers, four to five years. Depreciation on vehicles used by WCI to service its customers is included in cost of goods sold in the condensed consolidated income statements. All other depreciation is included in selling, general and administrative costs in the condensed consolidated income statements.

 

Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized, and maintenance and repairs are charged to expense. Gains and losses from the retirement or disposition of property and equipment are included in operations in the period incurred.

 

Lessee Leases

 

We determine whether an arrangement is a lease at inception. Lessee leases are classified as either finance leases or operating leases. A lease is classified as a finance lease if any one of the following criteria are met: the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, the lease contains an option to purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, the lease term is for a major part of the remaining useful life of the asset or the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any one of these criteria. Our operating leases are comprised of office space leases, and office equipment. Fleet vehicle leases entered into prior to January 1, 2019, under ASC 840 guidelines, are classified as operating leases. Fleet vehicle leases entered into beginning January 1, 2019, under ASC 842 guidelines, are classified as finance leases. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 month to 44 months. Our fleet finance leases contain a residual value guarantee which, based on past lease experience, is unlikely to result in a liability at the end of the lease. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.

 

Costs associated with operating lease assets are recognized on a straight-line basis, over the term of the lease, within cost of goods sold for vehicles used in direct servicing of WCI customers and in operating expenses for costs associated with all other operating leases. Finance lease assets are amortized within cost of goods sold for vehicles used in direct servicing of WCI customers and within operating expenses for all other finance lease assets, on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. The interest component of a finance lease is included in interest expense and recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term. We have agreements that contain both lease and non-lease components. For vehicle fleet operating leases, we account for lease components together with non-lease components (e.g., maintenance fees).

 

Long-lived assets impairment assessment

 

In accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we regularly review the carrying value of intangible and other long-lived assets for the existence of facts or circumstances, both internally and externally, that suggest impairment. The carrying value and ultimate realization of these assets is dependent upon our estimates of future earnings and benefits that we expect to generate from their use. If our expectations of future results and cash flows are significantly diminished, intangible assets and other long-lived assets may be impaired, and the resulting charge to operations may be material. When we determine that the carrying value of intangibles or other long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we use the projected undiscounted cash flow method to determine whether an impairment exists and then measure the impairment using discounted cash flows.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill of $1,324,142 was derived from consolidating WCI effective January 1, 2014, and $102,040 of goodwill related to the 1999 acquisition of a 50% interest in WCI. The Company accounts for its Goodwill in accordance with FASB ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which requires the Company to test goodwill for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, rather than amortize. Goodwill impairment tests consist of a comparison of each reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying value. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value for each reporting unit. To estimate the fair value, management used valuation techniques which included the discounted value of estimated future cash flows. The evaluation of impairment requires the Company to make assumptions about future cash flows over the life of the asset being evaluated. These assumptions require significant judgment and are subject to change as future events and circumstances change. Actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts. Management determined that no impairment write-downs were required as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

Revenue recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” and FASB ASC Topic 842, “Leases.” Revenue is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to government authorities.

 

Service fees generated by WCI are for monthly services performed to reduce customer’s operating costs. Service fees are invoiced and recognized as revenue in the month services are performed.

 

For each finance lease, the Company recognized as a gain or loss the amount equal to (i) the net investment in the finance lease less (ii) the net book value of the equipment at the inception of the applicable lease. At lease inception we capitalize the total minimum finance lease payments receivable from the lessee, the estimated unguaranteed residual value of the equipment at lease termination, if any, and the initial direct costs related to the lease, less unearned income. Unearned income is recognized as finance income over the term of the lease using the effective interest rate method.

 

Revenue from consulting agreements is recognized at the time the related services are provided as specified in the consulting agreements.

 

Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share

 

We compute net loss per share in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Under the provisions of ASC 260, basic net loss per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing the net loss available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share takes into consideration shares of Common Stock outstanding (computed under basic net loss per share) and potentially dilutive securities that are not anti-dilutive.

 

Outstanding warrants that had no effect on the computation of dilutive weighted average number of shares outstanding as their effect would be anti-dilutive were approximately 7,000,000 and 7,000,000 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There were 87,456 and 4,500 potentially dilutive shares outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

Assumed conversion of Series Q Preferred Stock into Common Stock would be anti-dilutive as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and is not included in calculating the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with accounting guidance now codified as FASB ASC 740, "Income Taxes," which requires that the Company recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax benefit (expense) results from the change in net deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes." The ASC 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. The ASC provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest, and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step evaluates the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that we will sustain the position on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step measures the tax benefit as the largest amount of more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company did not identify any material uncertain tax positions on returns that have been filed or that will be filed. The Company did not recognize any interest or penalties for unrecognized tax provisions during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, nor were any interest or penalties accrued as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. To the extent the Company may accrue interest and penalties, it elects to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax provisions as a component of income tax expense.

 

Advertising and promotion

 

The Company expenses advertising and promotion costs as incurred. Advertising and promotion costs were $14,319 and $54,124 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

Fair value measurements

 

The Company adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, which defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal, or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

 

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic establish a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the valuation inputs into three broad levels. These three general valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value are as follows: Market approach (Level 1) – which uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. Prices may be indicated by pricing guides, sale transactions, market trades, or other sources. Cost approach (Level 2) – which is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost); and the Income approach (Level 3) – which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectations about the future amounts (including present value techniques, and option-pricing models). Net present value is an income approach where a stream of expected cash flows is discounted at an appropriate market interest rate.

 

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, customer deposits and other accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

The fair value of available-for-sale investment securities is based on quoted market prices in active markets.

 

The fair value of the investment in account receivable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principal payments. The carrying value approximates fair value as interest rates charged are comparable to market rates for similar investments.

 

The fair value of notes receivable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principal payments. The carrying value approximates fair value as interest rates charged are comparable to market rates for similar notes.

 

The fair value of long-term notes payable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principal payments. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value due to the fact that the interest rate on the debt is based on market rates.