| Organization and Significant Accounting Policies | Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization Workiva Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “we” or “us”) provides the world’s leading connected reporting and compliance platform, which is used by thousands of public and private companies, government agencies and higher-education institutions. The Workiva platform offers controlled collaboration, data linking, data integrations, granular permissions, process management and a full audit trail. Our operational headquarters are located in Ames, Iowa, with additional offices located in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and Canada. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and include the accounts of Workiva Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Additionally, certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. The reclassification of the prior period amounts were not material to the previously reported consolidated financial statements. Seasonality has affected our revenue, expenses and cash flows from operations. Revenue from professional services has been higher in the first quarter as many of our customers file their 10-K in the first calendar quarter. Sales and marketing expense has been higher in the third quarter due to our annual user conference in September. In addition, the timing of the payments for cash bonuses to employees during the first and fourth calendar quarters may result in some seasonality in operating cash flow. Segments Our chief operating decision maker reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. There are no segment managers who are held accountable by the chief operating decision maker, or anyone else, for operations, operating results and planning for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Accordingly, we determined we have one operating and reportable segment. Foreign Currency We translate the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, which have a functional currency in the respective country’s local currency, to U.S. dollars using month-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates for revenue, costs and expenses. Translation gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit). Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions that are denominated in currencies other than the entity's functional currency are included within “Other income, net” on the consolidated statements of operations. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. These estimates include, but are not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the determination of the relative selling prices of our services, the measurement of material rights, health insurance claims incurred but not yet reported, valuation of available-for-sale marketable securities, useful lives of deferred contract costs, intangible assets and property and equipment, income taxes, discount rates used in the valuation of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, the fair value of the liability and equity components of the convertible senior notes, and certain assumptions used in the valuation of equity awards. While these estimates are based on our best knowledge of current events and actions that may affect us in the future, actual results may differ materially from these estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash consists of cash on deposit with banks that is stated at cost, which approximates fair value. We invest our excess cash primarily in highly liquid money market funds and marketable securities. We classify all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase as cash equivalents and all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of greater than three months as marketable securities. Marketable Securities Our marketable securities consist of commercial paper, U.S. corporate debt securities, and U.S. treasury debt securities. We classify our marketable securities as available-for-sale at the time of purchase and reevaluate such classification as of each balance sheet date. We may sell these securities at any time for use in current operations even if they have not yet reached maturity. As a result, we classify our investments, including securities with maturities beyond twelve months as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value each reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and recorded as a separate component within “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the consolidated balance sheets until realized. Dividend income is reported within “Other income, net” on the consolidated statements of operations. We evaluate our investments to assess whether those with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. We consider impairments to be other than temporary if they are related to deterioration in credit risk or if it is likely we will sell the securities before the recovery of their cost basis. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in “Other income, net” on the consolidated statements of operations. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Our financial assets, which include cash equivalents and marketable securities, are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Our other current financial assets and our other current financial liabilities have fair values that approximate their carrying value due to their short-term maturities. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with high credit-quality financial institutions. Such deposits may be in excess of federally insured limits. To date, we have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents. We perform periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of the financial institutions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and require no collateral from our customers. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon the expected collectability of accounts receivable balances. We did not have a significant concentration of accounts receivable from any single customer or from customers in any single country outside of the United States at December 31, 2019 or 2018. Deferred Commissions Sales commissions earned by our sales force are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. Sales commissions paid where the amortization period is one year or less are expensed as incurred. All other sales commissions are deferred and then amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of benefit that we have determined to be three years. We determined the period of benefit by taking into consideration our standard contract terms and conditions, rate of technological change and other factors. Amortization expense is included in sales and marketing expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Property and Equipment, net Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally three Revenue Recognition We generate revenue through the sale of subscriptions to our cloud-based software and the delivery of professional services. We recognize revenue when control of these services is transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services. We determine revenue recognition through the following steps: • Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer • Identification of the performance obligations in the contract • Determination of the transaction price • Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract • Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation We report revenue net of sales and other taxes collected from customers to be remitted to government authorities. Subscription and Support Revenue We recognize subscription and support revenue on a ratable basis over the contract term beginning on the date that our service is made available to the customer. Our subscription contracts are generally twelve Professional Services Revenue and Customer Options Professional services revenues primarily consist of fees for document set up, XBRL tagging, and consulting with our customers on business processes and best practices. We have determined that an agreement to purchase these professional services constitutes an option to purchase services in accordance with ASC 606 rather than an agreement that creates enforceable rights and obligations because of the customer's contractual right to cancel services that have not yet been used. In the limited case of agreements where we determined that the option provides the customer with a material right, we allocate a portion of the transaction price to the material right based upon the relative standalone selling price. Professional service agreements that do not contain a material right are accounted for when the customer exercises its option to purchase additional services. Revenue is recognized for document set ups when the service is complete and control has transferred to the customer. Revenues from XBRL tagging and consulting services are recognized as the services are performed. Contracts with Multiple Performance Obligations Some of our contracts with customers contain multiple performance obligation in the event that we determine a material right exists. For these contracts, we account for the individual performance obligations separately when they are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the services is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. If these criteria are not met, the promised services are accounted for as a combined performance obligation. The transaction price is allocated to the separate performance obligations on a relative standalone selling price basis. We determine the standalone selling prices based on our overall pricing objectives, taking into consideration market conditions and entity-specific factors, including the size of our arrangements, length of term, customer demographics and the numbers and types of users within our arrangements. Deferred Revenue We typically invoice our customers for subscription and support fees annually in advance on one- to three-year contract terms. For contracts with a two or three year term, customers sometimes elect to pay the entire multi-year subscription term in advance. Unpaid invoice amounts for non-cancelable services starting in future periods are included in accounts receivable and deferred revenue. The portion of deferred revenue that we anticipate will be recognized after the succeeding twelve-month period is recorded as non-current deferred revenue, and the remaining portion is recorded as current deferred revenue. Customer Deposits As an agreement to purchase professional services constitutes a customer option, fees received in advance of these services being performed are considered customer deposits and are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Unpaid invoice amounts for these professional services starting in future periods are excluded from accounts receivable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue consists primarily of personnel and related costs directly associated with the professional services and customer success teams and training personnel, including salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation; the costs of contracted third-party vendors; the costs of server usage by our customers; information technology costs; and facility costs. Sales and Marketing Expenses Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel and related costs, including salaries, benefits, bonuses, commissions, travel, and stock-based compensation. Other costs included in this expense are marketing and promotional events, our annual user conference, online marketing, product marketing, information technology costs, and facility costs. Advertising costs are charged to sales and marketing expense as incurred. Advertising expense totaled $3.4 million, $2.9 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Research and Development Expenses Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel and related costs, including salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation, costs of server usage by our developers, information technology costs, and facility costs. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel and related costs for our executive, finance, legal, human resources, and administrative personnel, including salaries, benefits, bonuses, and stock-based compensation; legal, accounting, and other professional service fees; other corporate expenses; information technology costs; and facility costs. Leases We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. We currently have no finance leases. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Our variable lease payments consist of non-lease services related to the lease. Variable lease payments are excluded from the ROU assets and lease liabilities and are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives incurred. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. We have elected to account for these lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. We are also electing not to apply the recognition requirements to short-term leases of 12 months or less and instead will recognize lease payments as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Intangible Assets We account for intangible assets under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350, Goodwill and Other . Intangible assets consist primarily of legal fees incurred for patents and are recorded at cost and amortized over the useful lives of the assets of ten years, using the straight-line method. Certain patents are in the legal application process and therefore are not currently being amortized. Accumulated amortization of patents as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $592,000 and $320,000, respectively. Future amortization expense for legally approved patents is estimated at $353,000 per year through 2021, $209,000 in 2022, $124,000 in 2023, $110,000 in 2024 and approximately $222,000 thereafter. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, right-of-use assets and software and intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that long-lived asset or asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Stock-Based Compensation We measure all share-based payments, including grants of options to purchase common stock and the issuance of restricted stock or restricted stock units to employees, service providers and board members, using a fair-value based method. We record forfeitures as they occur. The cost of services received from employees and non-employees in exchange for awards of equity instruments is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations based on the estimated fair value of those awards on the grant date or reporting date, if required to be remeasured, and amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair values of stock option awards. For restricted stock and restricted stock units, fair value is based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Income Taxes We record current income taxes based on our estimates of current taxable income and provide for deferred income taxes to reflect estimated future income tax payments and receipts. We are subject to U.S. federal income taxes as well as state taxes. In addition, we are subject to taxes in the foreign jurisdictions where we operate. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, we determine deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities by using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment rate. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. federal government enacted legislation commonly referred to as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “TCJA”). The TCJA made widespread changes to the Internal Revenue Code, including, among other items, the introduction of a new international “Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income” (“GILTI”) regime effective January 1, 2018. Companies may adopt one of two views in regards to establishing deferred taxes in accordance with the new (“GILTI”) regime under ASC 740. Companies may account for the effects of GILTI either (1) in the period the entity becomes subject to GILTI, or (2) establish deferred taxes (similar to the guidance that currently exists with respect to basis differences that will reverse under current Subpart F rules) for basis differences that upon reversal will be subject to GILTI. We have elected to account for GILTI in the period incurred. We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. We record uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included on the related tax liability line in the consolidated balance sheets. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. We regularly review our receivables that remain outstanding past their applicable payment terms and established an allowance for potential write-offs by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. Accounts receivable deemed uncollectible are charged against the allowance once collection efforts have been exhausted. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance codified in ASC 606, Revenue Recognition - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which amends the guidance in former ASC 605, Revenue Recognition . The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. We recognized an $8.4 million cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of our December 31, 2018 accumulated deficit. The primary impact of adopting the new revenue standard included the deferral of incremental commission cost of obtaining subscription contracts, recording deferred revenue for payments due in advance of our subscription-based contract performance and reclassification of amounts collected in advance related to the purchase of professional services from deferred revenue to accrued expenses and other current liabilities as these agreements constitute a customer option. The comparative information for fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 842, Leases , which supersedes the guidance in former ASC 840, Leases , to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements (with the exception of short-term leases). In July 2018, the FASB issued an update (ASU 2018-11) to the existing transition guidance that allows entities to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the period of adoption. Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted ASC 842 using this new transition guidance. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standard in effect for those periods. We have elected to use the package of practical expedients, which allows us to not (1) reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are considered or contain leases; (2) reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and (3) reassess the initial direct costs for any existing leases. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which permits entities to use hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment. Adoption of the new standard had an impact on our consolidated balance sheets. The most significant impacts related to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. The adoption of ASC 842 had no impact on our consolidated statements of operations or total cash flows from operations. The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated January 1, 2019 balance sheet for the adoption of ASC 842 were as follows (in thousands): As of December 31, 2018 Adjustments due to ASC 842 adoption As of January 1, 2019 Assets Operating right-of-use asset $ — $ 15,694 $ 15,694 Liabilities Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 36,353 2,319 38,672 Other long-term liabilities 6,891 (6,007) 884 Operating lease liabilities, non-current — 19,382 19,382 In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which clarifies the accounting for implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements. The update will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and may be adopted either retrospectively or prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard prospectively effective April 1, 2019. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which amends the current accounting guidance and requires the measurement of all expected losses based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For trade receivables, loans, and other financial instruments, we will be required to use a forward-looking expected loss model that reflects probable losses rather than the incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses. The standard will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Application of the amendments is through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date. We plan to adopt this standard on the effective date and do not expect a material impact on our consolidated financials. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes , which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The standard will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating whether we will early adopt. The guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. |
