Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Significant Accounting Policies

v3.20.1
Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2 – Significant Accounting Policies

 

  (a) Basis of Presentation

 

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been prepared in accordance and in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding consolidated financial information.
     
    On November 25, 2019, the Company effectuated a reverse stock split of its shares of Common Stock whereby every twenty-four (24) pre-split shares of Common Stock were exchanged for one (1) post-split share of the Company’s Common Stock (“Reverse Stock Split”). No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split and the remaining fractions were rounded up to the next whole share. Shareholders who would otherwise have held a fractional share of the Common Stock were given one additional full share of the Company’s Common Stock. Share amounts presented in these consolidated financial statements have been adjusted to reflect the Reverse Stock Split.

  

  (b) Use of Estimates and Judgments

 

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. Information about significant areas of estimation, uncertainty and critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the financial statements are included in the following notes for revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory valuations, impairment of intangible assets and valuation of share-based payments.

 

  (c) Functional and Presentation Currency

 

    These consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. Dollars, which is the Company’s functional currency. All financial information presented in U.S. Dollars has been rounded to the nearest dollar. Foreign Currency Transaction Gains or Losses, resulting from cash balances denominated in Foreign Currencies, are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

  (d) Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

    The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB ASC”) 220 in reporting comprehensive income (loss). Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of certain financial information that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income.

 

  (e) Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

    The Company considers all highly liquid investments, which include short-term bank deposits (up to 3 three months from date of deposit) that are not restricted as to withdrawal date or use, to be cash equivalents.

 

  (f) Restricted Cash

 

    At December 31, 2019, restricted cash included in non-current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet was $115,094 representing cash in trust for the purpose of funding legal fees for certain litigations.

  

  (g) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

    The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, receivables and trade and other payables. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and trade and other payables approximate their fair value because of their short maturities.
     
    The framework for measuring fair value provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC 820 are described as follows:

 

  Level 1 Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
     
  Level 2 Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

 

  quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
     
  quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
     
  inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability;
     
  inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means
     
  If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

  Level 3 Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

    The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

  

    Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
     
    U.S. Agency Securities: Valued using pricing models maximizing the use of observable inputs for similar securities. This includes basing value on yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings.

 

      Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities
(Level 1)
    Quoted Prices for Similar Assets or Liabilities in Active Markets
(Level 2)
    Significant Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Marketable securities at December 31, 2019        $ -     $ 9,164,273     $ -  
                           
Marketable securities at December 31, 2018       $ -     $ 5,272,998     $ -  

 

    Marketable securities comprise debt securities and include U.S. agency securities, which are classified as available for sale. The debt securities are valued at fair market value. Maturities of the securities are less than one year. Unrealized gains and losses relating to the available for sale investment securities were recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity as comprehensive (loss) income. These amounts were an increase of $43,799 in unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2019 and $25,913 in unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2018.
     
    Gains and losses resulting from these sales amounted to a gain of $3,952 and a loss of $15,178 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
     
    For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, proceeds from the sale of marketable securities were $2,857,960 and $6,313,330, respectively.

  

  (h) Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

    The carrying amounts of current trade receivables is stated at cost, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and approximate their fair value given their short-term nature.
     
    The normal credit terms extended to customers ranges between 30 and 90 days. Credit terms longer than these may be extended after considering the credit worthiness of the customers and the business requirements. The Company reviews all receivables that exceed terms and establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the collectability of trade and other receivables. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the amount of allowance. The Company considers the historical level of credit losses, makes judgments about the credit worthiness of each customer based on ongoing credit evaluations and monitors current economic trends that might impact the level of credit losses in the future.
     
    As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, allowances for doubtful accounts for trade receivables were $458,902 and $606,835. Bad debt expenses for trade receivables were $5,325 and $185,335 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

  (i) Deposits and Other Receivables

 

    Further to the Company’s pursuit of strategic alternatives, pursuant to an unsecured promissory note dated July 4, 2019, on July 25, 2019 the Company advanced $100,000 to a company in the hemp related industry with which the Company had been considering a potential business transaction. Discussions with this party toward a potential transaction have been suspended. The unsecured promissory note became due on October 2, 2019 and the Company is pursuing collection of the obligation.
     
    For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company established a reserve of $100,000 which is included in Administrative Expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

  

  (j) Concentrations

 

    Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash on deposit with financial institutions and accounts receivable. At times, the Company’s cash in banks is in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The Company has not experienced any loss as a result of these cash deposits. These cash balances are maintained with two banks.
     
    Major Customers
     
    For the year ended December 31, 2019, two customers generated 48% and 31% or 79% in the aggregate, of the Company’s revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2018, two customers generated 57% and 14%, or 71% in the aggregate, of the Company’s revenue.
     
    Five customers accounted for 30%, 18%, 12%, 12% and 11%, or 83% in the aggregate, and two customers accounted for 62% and 37%, or 99% in the aggregate, of trade receivables net of customer credits and allowances for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These concentrations make the Company vulnerable to a near-term severe impact should these relationships be terminated. To limit such risks, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.
     
    Major Suppliers
     
    One supplier accounted for 43% and 14% of the Company’s purchases for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
     
    None of the Company’s suppliers accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding accounts payable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
     

 

  (k) Property, Plant and Equipment

 

    Items of property, plant and equipment are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Costs include expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset.
     
    Gains and losses on disposal of an item of property, plant and equipment are determined by comparing the proceeds from disposal with the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and are recognized within “other (income)/expense” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
     
    Depreciation is recognized in profit and loss on the accelerated basis over the estimated useful lives of the property, plant and equipment. Leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or their useful lives.
     
    The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

 

    Useful Life
    (in years)
Plant and equipment   5-12
Furniture and fixtures   5-10
Computer equipment & software   3-5
Leasehold Improvements   Shorter of the
remaining lease or
estimated useful life

 

    Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date.

  

  (l) Intangible Assets

 

The Company’s long-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate there may be an impairment. These assets were initially recorded at their estimated fair value at the time of acquisition and assets not acquired in acquisitions were recorded at historical cost. However, if their estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount, other intangible assets with indefinite lives are reduced to their estimated fair value through an impairment charge to our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

Patents and Trade Secrets

 

The Company has developed or acquired several diagnostic tests that can detect the presence of various substances in a person’s breath, blood, urine and saliva. Propriety protection for the Company’s products, technology and process is important to its competitive position. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has ten patents from the United States Patent Office in effect Other patents are in effect in Australia through the Design Registry European Union Patents, in Hong Kong and in Japan. Patents are in the national phase of prosecution in many Patent Cooperation Treaty participating countries. Additional proprietary technology consists of numerous different inventions. Management intends to protect all other intellectual property (e.g. copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets) using all legal remedies available to the Company.

 

Patent Costs

 

Costs associated with applying for patents are capitalized as patent costs. Once the patents are approved, the respective costs are amortized over their estimated useful lives (maximum of 17 years) on a straight-line basis and assessed for impairment when necessary. Patent pending costs for patents that are not approved are charged to the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss the year the patent is rejected.

 

In addition, patents may be purchased from third parties. The costs of acquiring the patent are capitalized as patent costs if it represents a future economic benefit to the Company. Once a patent is acquired it is amortized over its remaining useful life and assessed for impairment when necessary.

 

Other Intangible Assets

 

Other intangible assets that are acquired by the Company, which have definite useful lives, are measured at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

 

Amortization

 

Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets, other than goodwill, from the date that they are available for use. The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

 

    Useful Life
    (in years)
Patents and trademarks   12-17


  

  (m) Recoverability of Long Lived Assets

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 360-10-35 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets”, long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of those assets are no longer appropriate. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate possible impairment.

 

The Company determines the existence of such impairment by measuring the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) and comparing such amount to the carrying amount of the assets. An impairment loss, if one exists, is then measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the discounted estimated future cash flows. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value of such assets less costs to sell. Asset impairment charges are recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived asset that will be sold or disposed of to their estimated fair values. Charges for the asset impairment reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived assets to their estimated salvage value in connection with the decision to dispose of such assets.

 

  (n) Investments

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 323, the Company recognizes investments in joint ventures based upon the Company’s ability to significantly influence the operational or financial policies of the joint venture. An objective judgment of the level of influence is made at the time of the investment based upon several factors including, but not limited to the following:

 

  a) Representation on the Board of Directors
     
  b) Participation in policy-making processes
     
  c) Material intra-entity transactions
     
  d) Interchange of management personnel
     
  e) Technological dependencies
     
  f) Extent of ownership and the ability to influence decision making based upon the makeup of other owners when the shareholder group is small.

 

The Company follows the equity method for valuating investments in joint ventures when the existence of significant influence over operational and financial policy has been established, as determined by management; otherwise, the Company will valuate these investments using the cost method.

 

Investments recorded using the cost method will be assessed for any decrease in value that has occurred that is other than temporary and the other than temporary decrease in value shall be recognized. As and when circumstances and facts change, the Company will evaluate the Company’s ability to significantly influence operational and financial policy to establish a basis for converting the investment accounted for using the cost method to the equity method of valuation.

  

  (o) Revenue Recognition

 

Beginning on January 1, 2019, the Company recognizes revenue under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the revenue standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that the Company will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods and services transferred to the customer. The following five steps are applied to achieve that core principle:

 

Step 1: Identify the contract with the customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract

Step 3: Determine the transaction price

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

Step 5: Recognize revenue when the company satisfies a performance obligation

 

The Company does not have any significant contracts with customers requiring performance beyond delivery. Shipping and handling activities are performed before the customer obtains control of the goods and therefore represent a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service to the customer. Revenue and costs of sales are recognized when control of the product transfers to our customer, which generally occurs upon delivery to the customer but can also occur when goods are shipped by the Company, depending on the shipment terms of the contract. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied at that time. The Company has not historically experienced customer returns of its products.

 

The Company uses the most likely amount approach to determine the variable consideration of the transaction price in order to account for the contractual rebates and incentives that are estimated and adjusted for over time. The Company provides for rebates to its distributors. The Company’s accrued rebates and incentives were $20,002 and $23,179, as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Accounts receivable will be reduced when the rebates are applied by the customer. The Company recognized $130,577 and $105,247 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 for rebates, respectively, which is included as a reduction of product revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

 

See Note 13 for disaggregation of revenue by product line and geographic region.

 

  (p) Income Taxes

 

The Company utilizes an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. The provision for income taxes is based upon income or loss after adjustment for those permanent items that are not considered in the determination of taxable income. Deferred income taxes represent the tax effects of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.

 

The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management makes judgments as to the interpretation of the tax laws that might be challenged upon an audit and cause changes to previous estimates of tax liability. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made. If actual taxable income by tax jurisdiction varies from estimates, additional allowances or reversals of reserves may be necessary.

  

Tax benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement. A liability for “unrecognized tax benefits” is recorded for any tax benefits claimed in the Company’s tax returns that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, no liability for unrecognized tax benefits was required to be reported.

 

There is no income tax benefit for the losses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 since management has determined that the realization of the net deferred assets is not assured and has created a valuation allowance for the entire amount of such tax benefits.

 

The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with tax audits is to record such items as a component of general and administrative expense. There were no amounts accrued for penalties and interest for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company does not expect its uncertain tax position to change during the next twelve months. Management is currently unaware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviations from its position.

 

  (q) Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

 

The Company charges actual shipping costs plus a handling fee to customers, which amounted to $38,131 and $50,518 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. These fees are classified as product revenue in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Shipping and other related delivery costs, including those for incoming raw materials are classified as product cost of sales, which amounted to $46,534 and $93,558 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

  (r) Research and Development Costs

 

In accordance with FASB ASC 730, research and development costs are expensed when incurred.

  

  (s) Stock-based Payments

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, "Compensation - Stock Compensation", which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the grant date. The Company estimates the fair value of stock-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods using the straightline method. In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this Update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Prior to this Update, Topic 718 applied only to share-based transactions to employees. Consistent with the accounting requirement for employee share-based payment awards, nonemployee share-based payment awards within the scope of Topic 718 are measured at grant-date fair value of the equity instruments that an entity is obligated to issue when the good has been delivered or the service has been rendered and any other conditions necessary to earn the right to benefit from the instruments have been satisfied.

 

The Company has elected to account for forfeiture of stock based awards as they occur.

  

  (t) Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share of Common Stock

 

Basic earnings per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares plus dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Potential common shares that would have the effect of increasing diluted earnings per share are considered anti-dilutive.

 

Diluted net loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. The following securities are excluded from the calculation of weighted average dilutive common shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

 

    For the Years Ended December 31,  
    2019     2018  
Stock Options     40       443  
Restricted Stock Units     15,603       -  
Warrants to purchase Common Stock     247,215       88,015  
Pre-funded Warrants to purchase Common Stock     795,000       -  
Warrants to purchase Series C Preferred stock     1,990,000       -  
Total potentially dilutive shares     3,047,858       88,458  

  

  (u) Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

 

As an emerging growth company (“EGC”), Akers had elected to adopt recently issued accounting pronouncements based on effective dates applicable to other than public business entities. The Company lost its EGC status on December 31, 2019 as it was the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the effective date of its registration statement on January 23, 2014. Accordingly, effective January 1, 2020, Akers will adopt recently issued accounting pronouncements on dates applicable to public companies.

 

In May 2014 and April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 and ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of the guidance 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. In August 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which deferred the effective date of Update 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 for entities other than public business entities, and to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period for public business entities.

 

The Company has elected to apply the modified retrospective method and the impact was determined to be immaterial on the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the new revenue standard was applied prospectively in our consolidated financial statements from January 1, 2019 forward and reported financial information for historical comparable periods will not be revised and will continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those historical periods.

 

The Company determined that its methods of recognizing revenues were not impacted by the new guidance.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The guidance is effective for public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. For all other entities, ASU 2018-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The Company early adopted ASC 2018-07 effective January 1, 2019. There was no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon this adoption.

 

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, Codification Improvements, to makes changes to a variety of topics to clarify, correct errors in, or make minor improvements to the Accounting Standards Codification. Certain items of the amendments in ASU 2018-09 will be effective for the Company in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2018-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

  

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Adopted

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02—Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU-2016-02”), which requires an entity to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor, and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosure, and anticipates the guidance to result in increases in its assets and liabilities as its operating lease commitment will be subject to the new standard and recognized as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU-2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, and any other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU requires an entity to recognize expected credit losses rather than incurred losses for financial assets. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company expects that there would be no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU.

 

  (v) Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications were made to the reported amounts in these consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018 to conform to the presentation as of December 31, 2019.