Boeing 2012 Annual Report Download - page 68

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or group of contracts when a clear economic decision has been made during contract negotiations that
would produce different rates of profitability for each element or phase of the contract.
Sales related to fixed-price contracts are recognized as deliveries are made, except for certain fixed-price
contracts that require substantial performance over an extended period before deliveries begin, for which
sales are recorded based on the attainment of performance milestones. Sales related to contracts in which
we are reimbursed for costs incurred plus an agreed upon profit are recorded as costs are incurred. The
Federal Acquisition Regulations provide guidance on the types of cost that will be reimbursed in establishing
contract price. Contracts may contain provisions to earn incentive and award fees if specified targets are
achieved. Incentive and award fees that can be reasonably estimated and are probable are recorded over
the performance period of the contract. Incentive and award fees that cannot be reasonably estimated are
recorded when awarded.
Program Accounting Our Commercial Airplanes segment predominantly uses program accounting to
account for cost of sales related to its programs. Program accounting is applicable to products manufactured
for delivery under production-type contracts where profitability is realized over multiple contracts and years.
Under program accounting, inventoriable production costs, program tooling and other non-recurring costs,
and warranty costs are accumulated and charged to cost of sales by program instead of by individual units
or contracts. A program consists of the estimated number of units (accounting quantity) of a product to be
produced in a continuing, long-term production effort for delivery under existing and anticipated contracts.
The determination of the accounting quantity is limited by the ability to make reasonably dependable
estimates of the revenue and cost of existing and anticipated contracts. To establish the relationship of
sales to cost of sales, program accounting requires estimates of (a) the number of units to be produced
and sold in a program, (b) the period over which the units can reasonably be expected to be produced,
and (c) the units’ expected sales prices, production costs, program tooling and other non-recurring costs,
and routine warranty costs for the total program.
We recognize sales for commercial airplane deliveries as each unit is completed and accepted by the
customer. Sales recognized represent the price negotiated with the customer, adjusted by an escalation
formula as specified in the customer agreement. The amount reported as cost of sales is determined by
applying the estimated cost of sales percentage for the total remaining program to the amount of sales
recognized for airplanes delivered and accepted by the customer. Changes in estimated revenues, cost
of sales and the related effects on program margins are recognized prospectively except in cases where
the program is determined to have a reach-forward loss in which case the loss is recognized in the current
period. See Note 19.
Concession Sharing Arrangements We account for sales concessions to our customers in consideration
of their purchase of products and services as a reduction to revenue when the related products and services
are delivered. The sales concessions incurred may be partially reimbursed by certain suppliers in
accordance with concession sharing arrangements. We record these reimbursements, which are presumed
to represent reductions in the price of the vendor’s products or services, as a reduction in Cost of products.
Spare Parts Revenue We recognize sales of spare parts upon delivery and the amount reported as cost
of sales is recorded at average cost.
Service Revenue Service revenue is recognized when the service is performed with the exception of U.S.
government service agreements, which are accounted for using contract accounting. Service activities
primarily include: support agreements associated with military aircraft and helicopter contracts, ongoing
maintenance of International Space Station, commercial Delta launches and technical and flight operation
services for commercial aircraft. Service revenue and associated cost of sales from pay-in-advance
subscription fees are deferred and recognized as services are rendered.