Classmates.com 2009 Annual Report Download - page 114

Table of Contents
UNITED ONLINE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ACCOUNTING POLICIES, AND RECENT ACCOUNTING
PRONOUNCEMENTS (Continued)
the receivable to the amount that is expected to be collected. These specific allowances are re-
evaluated and adjusted as additional information is
received that impacts the amount of the allowance. Also, an allowance is established for all customers based on the aging of the receivables. If
circumstances change (i.e., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a customer's ability to meet its financial
obligations), the estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to the Company are adjusted.
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company's cash and cash equivalents were maintained primarily with major financial institutions and
brokerage firms in the United States and the United Kingdom. Deposits with these institutions and firms generally exceed the amount of
insurance provided on such deposits.
Property and Equipment —Property and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which is generally two to three years for
computer software and equipment, three to seven years for furniture and fixtures, twenty-five to forty years for buildings, and five to forty years
for building improvements. Leasehold improvements, which are included in furniture and fixtures, are amortized using the straight-line method
over the shorter of the lease term or up to ten years. Upon the sale or retirement of property or equipment, the cost and related accumulated
depreciation or amortization is removed from the Company's consolidated financial statements with the resulting gain or loss reflected in the
Company's results of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Derivative Instruments —The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging . The
Company maintains an interest rate cap associated with interest rate fluctuations on certain of its credit facilities, however, the interest rate cap
does not currently qualify for hedge accounting treatment. In addition, the Company periodically uses foreign exchange contracts to partially
offset the economic effect of fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges are
recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are subsequently reclassified into earnings when the underlying transactions
occur. Cash flows from hedging activities are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows under the same category as the cash flows
from the hedged item.
The Company formally assesses, at inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are
highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, or
that it ceased to be a highly effective hedge or if a forecasted hedge is no longer probable to occur, gains or losses on the derivative are reported
in earnings.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments —In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , the Company maximizes
the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements. When available, the
Company uses quoted market prices to measure fair value. If market prices are not available, fair value measurement is based upon models that
use primarily market-based or independently-sourced market parameters. If market observable inputs for model-based valuation techniques are
not available, the Company will be
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