Financial instruments and derivatives

Derivative financial instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as other assets or other liabilities and carried at fair value. From time to time, the Company may use interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of its interest rate exposure on long-term debt. Hedge accounting is applied and swaps are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets, with gains or losses recognized in interest expense. The carrying value of the hedged item is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the hedged interest rate risk; the associated gain or loss is recognized currently in earnings and the unrealized gain or loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. If swaps are terminated and the underlying item is not, the resulting gain or loss is deferred and recognized over the remaining life of the underlying item using the effective interest method. In addition, the Company may enter into short-term foreign exchange contracts to lower its cost of borrowing, to which hedge accounting is not applied.

Fair value

The Company uses the fair value measurements framework for financial assets and liabilities and for non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurring basis. The framework defines fair value, gives guidance for measurement and disclosure, and establishes a three-level hierarchy for observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value. An asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – Observable market-based inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions

Financing fees

Financing fees related to the revolving credit facility are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method.

Goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination and is not subject to amortization.

Intangible assets are recorded at fair value on the date they are acquired. Indefinite life intangible assets are not subject to amortization. Where lives are finite, they are amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows:

The Company reviews the carrying value of finite life intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from their use and eventual disposition. If the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss is recognized. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over the fair value calculated using discounted expected future cash flows.

Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are tested for impairment annually, on August 1, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired, in which case the carrying amount of the asset is written down to fair value.

Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level. The Company has three reporting units determined with reference to geography. Impairment is tested by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Where it is determined to be more likely than not that its fair value is greater than its carrying amount, then no further testing is required. Where the qualitative analysis is not sufficient to support that the fair value exceeds the carrying amount then a two-step goodwill impairment test is performed. In the first step, the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill, is compared to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The fair values of the reporting units are estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. The fair value measurement is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. Certain assumptions are used to determine the fair value of the reporting units, the most sensitive of which are estimated future cash flows and the discount rate applied to future cash flows. Changes in these assumptions could result in a materially different fair value.

Impairment of indefinite life intangible assets is tested by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated fair value on an individual intangible asset basis.

Redeemable non-controlling interests

Redeemable non-controlling interests (“RNCI”) are recorded at the greater of (i) the redemption amount or (ii) the amount initially recorded as RNCI at the date of inception of the minority equity position. This amount is recorded in the “mezzanine” section of the balance sheet, outside of shareholders’ equity. Changes in the RNCI amount are recognized immediately as they occur.

Revenue recognition and unearned revenues

(a) Real estate brokerage operations

Commission revenues from real estate leasing transactions are recognized once performance obligations under the commission arrangement are satisfied. Terms and conditions of a commission arrangement may include execution of the lease agreement and satisfaction of future contingencies such as tenant occupancy. In most cases, a portion of the commission is earned upon execution of the lease agreement, with the remaining portion contingent on a future event, typically tenant occupancy; revenue recognition for the remaining portion is deferred until all contingencies are satisfied.

Commission revenues from sales brokerage transactions are recognized at the time the service has been provided and the commission becomes legally due, except when future contingencies exist. In most cases, close of escrow or transfer of title is a future contingency, and accordingly, revenue recognition is deferred until this contingency is satisfied.

(b) Service operations other than real estate brokerage operations

Revenues are recognized at the time the service is rendered. Certain services including but not limited to real estate project management and workplace solutions engagements in process, are recognized on the percentage of completion method, in the ratio of actual costs to total estimated contract costs. In cases where anticipated costs to complete a project exceed the revenue to be recognized, a provision for the additional estimated losses is recorded in the period when the loss becomes apparent. Amounts received from customers in advance of services being provided are recorded as unearned revenues when received.

Stock-based compensation

For equity classified awards, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award adjusted for expected forfeitures. The related stock option compensation expense is allocated using the graded attribution method.

Foreign currency translation

Assets, liabilities and operations of foreign subsidiaries are recorded based on the functional currency of each entity. For certain foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency, in which case the assets, liabilities and operations are translated at current exchange rates from the local currency to the reporting currency, the US dollar. The resulting unrealized gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings. Realized and unrealized foreign currency gains or losses related to any foreign dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities are included in net earnings.

Income tax

Income tax has been provided using the asset and liability method whereby deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future income tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements or income tax returns. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which temporary differences are expected to reverse, be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in income tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period in which the change occurs. A valuation allowance is recorded unless it is more likely than not that realization of a deferred income tax asset will occur based on available evidence.

The Company recognizes uncertainty in tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by recording a liability for unrecognized tax benefits on its balance sheet. Uncertainties are quantified by applying a prescribed recognition threshold and measurement attribute.

The Company classifies interest and penalties associated with income tax positions in income tax expense.

Pension plan

The Company’s defined benefit pension plan obligation is remeasured annually as of December 31 based on the present value of projected future benefit payments for all participants for services rendered.

The pension plan is funded. The benefit obligation and related funded status are determined using assumptions as of the end of each year.

The expected return on plan assets is based on historical and projected rates of return for assets in the investment plan portfolio. The actual return is based on the fair value of plan assets. The projected benefit obligation is discounted using the market interest rate as at the measurement date.

Pension expense for the pension plan includes the cost of pension benefits earned during the current year, the interest cost on pension obligations, the expected return on pension plan assets, and other costs. Actuarial gains and losses related to the change in the over-funded or under-funded status of the pension plan are recognized in other comprehensive income.

Business combinations

All business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

The fair value of the contingent consideration is classified as a financial liability and is recorded on the balance sheet at the acquisition date and is re-measured at fair value at the end of each period until the end of the contingency period, with fair value adjustments recognized in earnings. However, if the contingent consideration includes an element of compensation to the vendors (i.e. it is tied to continuing employment or it is not linked to the business valuation), then the portion of contingent consideration related to such element is treated as compensation expense over the expected employment period.

Details of these acquisitions are as follows:

2016 acquisitions:

The Company acquired controlling interests in ten businesses. Acquisitions included controlling interests in regional firms in the US, Canada, UK, Netherlands and France expanding Colliers’ geographic presence in these markets.

Details of these acquisitions are as follows:

Acquisition-related transaction costs for the year ended December 31, 2017 totaled $6,247 (2016 - $2,794) and were recorded as expense under the caption “acquisition-related items”.

In all years presented, the fair values of non-controlling interests were determined using an income approach with reference to a discounted cash flow model using the same assumptions implied in determining the purchase consideration.

The purchase price allocations of acquisitions resulted in the recognition of goodwill. The primary factors contributing to goodwill are assembled workforces, synergies with existing operations and future growth prospects. For acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2017, goodwill in the amount of $17,531 is deductible for income tax purposes (2016 - $18,837).

The Company typically structures its business acquisitions to include contingent consideration. Certain vendors, at the time of acquisition, are entitled to receive a contingent consideration payment if the acquired businesses achieve specified earnings levels during the one- to five-year periods following the dates of acquisition. The ultimate amount of payment is determined based on a formula, the key inputs to which are (i) a contractually agreed maximum payment; (ii) a contractually specified earnings level and (iii) the actual earnings for the contingency period. If the acquired business does not achieve the specified earnings level, the maximum payment is reduced for any shortfall, potentially to nil.

Unless it contains an element of compensation, under purchase accounting contingent consideration is recorded at fair value each reporting period. The fair value recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2017 was $50,300 (see note 19). Contingent consideration with a compensatory element is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contingent consideration arrangement. The liability recorded on the balance sheet for the compensatory element of contingent consideration arrangements as at December 31, 2017 was $8,320. The estimated range of outcomes (undiscounted) for these contingent consideration arrangements is determined based on the formula price and the likelihood of achieving specified earnings levels over the contingency period, and ranges from $77,745 to a maximum of $91,464. These contingencies will expire during the period extending to January 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2017, $11,187 was paid with reference to such contingent consideration (2016 - $2,018).

The consideration for the acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2017 was financed from borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

The amounts of revenues and earnings contributed from the dates of acquisition and included in the Company’s consolidated results for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the supplemental pro forma revenues and earnings of the combined entity had the acquisition dates been January 1, 2016, are as follows:

Supplemental pro forma results were adjusted for non-recurring items.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company acquired the following intangible assets:

The following is the estimated annual expense for amortization of the recorded intangible assets for each of the next five years ending December 31:

As at December 31, 2017, there was $4,705 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards which is expected to be recognized over the next four years. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the fair value of options vested was $3,422 (2016 - $2,998).

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, utilizing the following weighted average assumptions:

The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield of a zero-coupon US Treasury bond with a term equal to the option’s expected term. The expected life in years represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on historical experience. The expected volatility is based on the historical prices of the Company’s shares over the previous four years.

Income tax expense (recovery) comprises the following:

The significant components of deferred income tax are as follows:

As at December 31, 2017, the Company believes that it is ‘more likely than not’ that the net deferred tax assets of $33,815 will be realized based upon projected future earnings, consideration of net operating loss (“NOL”) limitations, earnings trends, and tax planning strategies. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if projections of future earnings are reduced.

The Company has gross NOL carry-forward balances as follows:

The Company has gross capital loss carry-forwards as follows:

These amounts above are available to reduce future, federal, state, and provincial income taxes in their respective jurisdictions. NOL carry-forward balances attributable to Canada begin to expire in 2033. NOL carry-forward balances attributable to the United States begin to expire in 2031. Foreign NOL carry-forward balances begin to expire in 2019. The utilization of NOLs may be subject to certain limitations under federal, provincial, state or foreign tax laws.

Cumulative unremitted foreign earnings of the US subsidiaries is nil (2016 - nil). Cumulative unremitted foreign earnings of international subsidiaries of the Company approximated $42,709 as at December 31, 2017 (2016 - $21,886). The Company has not provided a deferred tax liability on the unremitted foreign earnings as it is management’s intent to permanently reinvest such earnings outside of Canada. In addition, any repatriation of such earnings would not be subject to significant Canadian or foreign taxes.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

Of the $1,858 (2016 - $2,292) in gross unrecognized tax benefits, $1,858 (2016 - $2,292) would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. For the year-ended December 31, 2017, additional interest and penalties of $18 related to uncertain tax positions was accrued (2016 - $234). The Company reversed $155 of accrued interest and penalties related to positions lapsed in applicable statute of limitations in 2017 (2016 - $58). As at December 3, 2017, the Company had accrued $213 (2016 - $350) for potential income tax related interest and penalties.

Within the next twelve months, the Company believes it is reasonably possible that $550 of unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions may be reduced due to lapses in statutes of limitations.

The Company files tax returns in Canada, United States and multiple foreign jurisdictions. The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. Generally, income tax returns filed with the Canada Revenue Agency and related provinces are open for four to seven years and income tax returns filed with the United States Internal Revenue Service and related states are open for three to five years. Tax returns in the significant foreign jurisdictions that the company conducts business in are generally open for four years. 

The Company does not currently expect any other material impact on earnings to result from the resolution of matters related to open taxation years, other than noted above. Actual settlements may differ from the amounts accrued. The Company has, as part of its analysis, made its current estimates based on facts and circumstances known to date and cannot predict changes in facts and circumstances that may affect its current estimates.

The following table details the net periodic pension cost of the Plan:

The following tables provide reconciliations of projected benefit obligations and plan assets (the net of which represent the Company’s funded status), as well as the funded status, of the Plan.

Defined benefit pension plan amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet are shown in the table below:

The following table details the amount recognized in other comprehensive income:

The assumptions used in developing the projected benefit obligation as of December 31 are as follows:

The assumptions used in determining net periodic cost for the period ended December 31 are as follows:

The discount rate assumption used for the Plan was derived from the expected yield of Euro-denominated “AA”-rated corporate bonds with durations consistent with the liabilities of the Plan.

The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on the current level of return expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. The expected return for each asset class is weighted based on the target asset allocation to develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption for the portfolio.

For the period ended December 31, 2017 the actual return on assets was $781 (2016 - $3,079) composed of an expected return on assets of $640 (2016 - $787) and an actuarial gain of $140 (2016 – $2,292).

Plan assets measured at fair value and cash are presented in the following table with the overall allocation of assets.

The Plan’s assets are invested with a third party insurance company in the Netherlands that insures the performance of Plan assets. The valuation of the insurance asset is included in the “Other” category in the table above.

The Company expects the following pension benefit payments over the next 10 years: