NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES



Description of Business



Communications Systems, Inc. (herein collectively called “CSI” or the “Company”) is a Minnesota corporation organized in 1969 that operates primarily as a holding company conducting its business through four business units having operations in the United States, Costa Rica, and the United Kingdom.

CSI is principally engaged through its Suttle business unit in the manufacture and sale of connectivity infrastructure products for broadband and voice communications and through its Transition Networks business unit in the manufacture of core media conversion products, Ethernet switches, and other connectivity and data transmission products. Through its JDL Technologies business unit the Company provides technology solutions including virtualization, managed services, wired and wireless network design and implementation, HIPAA-compliant IT services, and converged infrastructure configuration and deployment. Through its Net2Edge business unit, the Company enables telecommunications carriers to connect legacy networks to high-speed services.



The Company classifies its businesses into four segments corresponding to the Suttle, Transition Networks, JDL Technologies and Net2Edge business units. Non-allocated general and administrative expenses are separately accounted for as “Other” in the Company’s segment reporting. Intersegment revenues are eliminated upon consolidation.



Financial Statement Presentation



The condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statement of changes in stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2017 and the related condensed consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 have been prepared by Company management.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments, except where noted) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at March 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the periods then ended have been made.



Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  We recommend these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s December 31, 2016 Annual Report to Shareholders on Form 10-K.  The results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year.



The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the time of the financial statements.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.



Except to the extent updated or described below, the significant accounting policies set forth in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, appropriately represent, in all material respects, the current status of accounting policies, and are incorporated herein by reference.



Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss



The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows:







The Company recognized $4,238,000 in foreign currency translation losses within the income statement during the first quarter of 2016 due to the substantial liquidation of our Austin Taylor facility in the U.K.  Refer to Note 11 for further information regarding the pension liability adjustment recognized in income in the first quarter of 2016.