The Company has three equity settled compensation plans: an Employee and Director Stock Option Plan (ESOP), an Employee and Director Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and a Restricted Share Unit Plan (RSU) as described in Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements. The Company measures equity settled stock options based on their fair value at the grant date and recognizes compensation expense over the vesting period. Details regarding the determination of the fair value of equity settled share-based transactions are set out in Note 7. Expected forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant and subsequently adjusted if further information indicates actual forfeitures may vary from the original estimate. The impact of the revision to the original estimate is included in earnings.
The Company has a cash settled Deferred Share Unit (DSU) Plan as described in Note 7 to these consolidated financial statements. The Company accounts for DSUs by estimating the fair value of the units at the grant date and recording the expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the DSUs. Expected forfeitures are estimated at the date of grant and subsequently adjusted if further information indicates actual forfeitures may vary from the original estimate. The impact of the revision to the original estimate is included in earnings. Since this award will be settled in cash, at the end of the reporting period until the liability is settled, and at the date of settlement, the fair value of the liability is re-measured, with any changes in fair value recognized in profit or loss for the year.
Financial instruments
Financial instruments are measured at fair value on initial recognition of the instrument. Measurement in subsequent periods depends on the classification of the financial instrument.
The Company classifies its financial instruments as fair value through profit and loss, loans and receivables, or other liabilities. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial instruments were acquired, their characteristics and management's intent. Management determines the classification of financial assets and liabilities at initial recognition and, except in very limited circumstances, the classification is not changed subsequent to initial recognition. Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets and liabilities held-for-trading and financial assets and liabilities designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets and liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term. The company does not hold any financial instruments that have been designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit and loss. The Company classifies its cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities as fair value through profit and loss, which are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value being recorded in net earnings. Accounts receivable have been classified as loans and receivables, which are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Accounts payables and accrued liabilities and long-term liabilities have been classified as other financial liabilities, which are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest income or expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts or payments (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.
Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.
Financial assets, other than those classified as fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been affected.
Hedging relationships and derivative financial instruments
The Company utilizes derivative financial instruments in the management of its foreign currency exposures. The Company's policy is not to utilize derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company applies hedge accounting when appropriate documentation and effectiveness criteria are met.
The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives to specific contractually related firm commitments on projects.
The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.
Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet as other assets or liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in net income unless the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge. Fair value of the forward exchange contracts reflects the cash flows due to or from the Company if settlement had taken place at the end of the period. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income and is recognized in net income when the hedged item affects net income.
Derivatives embedded in non-derivative host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contracts, and the host contracts are not measured at fair value through profit and loss.
Critical accounting judgments and accounting estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the Company's management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
The determination of functional currency and level of impairment testing and cash generating units are matters of judgment.
Estimation uncertainty
Significant estimates and assumptions included in these financial statements relate to the useful lives of acquired intangible assets, measurement of deferred taxes and investment tax credits, valuation of equity instruments granted under share based payment transactions and allowance for doubtful accounts.
4. Recent Pronouncements Issued Not Yet Adopted
The Company has reviewed new and revised accounting pronouncements that have been issued but are not yet effective and determined that the following may have an impact on the Company.
IAS 12 Income Taxes ("IAS 12")
IAS 12 was amended in December 2010 to remove subjectivity in determining on which basis an entity measures the deferred tax relating to an asset. The amendment introduces a presumption that an entity will assess whether the carrying value of an asset will be recovered through the sale of the asset. The amendment to IAS 12 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2012. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment to IAS 12 on its consolidated financial statements.
IAS 27 Separate Financial Statements ("IAS 27")
IAS 27 replaced the existing IAS 27 "Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements". IAS 27 contains accounting and disclosure requirements for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates when an entity prepares separate financial statements. IAS 27 requires an entity preparing separate financial statements to account for those investments at cost or in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. IAS 27 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Earlier application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures ("IAS 28")
IAS 28 was amended in 2011 which prescribes the accounting for investments in associates and sets out the requirements for the application of the equity method when accounting for investments in associates and joint ventures. IAS 28 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Earlier application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this amendment to IAS 28 on its consolidated financial statements.
