AMERICAN STATES WATER CO | 2013 | FY | 3


Contracted Services Revenues:  Revenues from ASUS contract operations and maintenance agreements are recognized on a monthly basis when services have been rendered to the customers under such agreements. Revenues from firm, fixed-price construction contracts are recognized based on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.  In accordance with GAAP, revenue recognition under the percentage-of-completion method requires ASUS to estimate the progress toward completion on a contract in terms of efforts (such as costs incurred) or in terms of results achieved (such as units constructed).  These approaches are used because management considers them to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts. Revenues from cost-plus-profit contracts of ASUS are recognized on the basis of costs incurred during the period plus the profit earned, measured by the cost-to-cost method.
 
Construction costs for ASUS include all direct material and labor costs charged by subcontractors and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, and tools. The factors considered in including such costs in revenues and expenses are that ASUS and/or its subsidiaries: (i) are the primary obligor in these arrangements with the U.S. government and the third party prime contractors; (ii) have latitude in establishing pricing, and (iii) bear credit risk in the collection of receivables.  Administrative and general costs are charged to expense as incurred.  Precontract costs for ASUS, which consist of design and engineering labor costs, are deferred if they are probable of recovery and are expensed as incurred if they are not probable of recovery.  Deferred precontract costs have been immaterial to date. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined.
 
Changes in job performance, job conditions, change orders and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions, and final contract settlements may result in revisions to costs and income for ASUS and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
 
The asset, “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts,” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability, “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.  Amounts expected to be earned/collected in the next 12-months have been classified as current.

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