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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Business and Basis of Presentation
Business. Conn’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a holding company with no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. References to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company,” “Conn’s” or “CONN” refer to Conn’s, Inc. and, as apparent from the context, its subsidiaries. Conn’s is a leading specialty retailer that offers a broad selection of quality, branded durable consumer goods and related services in addition to proprietary credit solutions for its core credit-constrained consumers. We operate an integrated and scalable business through our retail stores and website. Our complementary product offerings include furniture and mattresses, home appliances, consumer electronics and home office products from leading global brands across a wide range of price points. Our credit offering provides financing solutions to a large, under-served population of credit-constrained consumers who typically have limited credit alternatives.
We operate two reportable segments: retail and credit. Our retail stores bear the “Conn’s HomePlus” name with all of our stores providing the same products and services to a common customer group. Our stores follow the same procedures and methods in managing their operations. Our retail business and credit business are operated independently from each other. The credit segment is dedicated to providing short- and medium-term financing to our retail customers. The retail segment is not involved in credit approval decisions or collection efforts. Our management evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating results of the retail and credit segments.
Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Conn’s, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including its Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”), have been prepared by management in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and prevailing industry practice for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, we do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for these interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods. The balance sheet at January 31, 2022 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2022 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 29, 2022.
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year ends on January 31. References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends.
Principles of Consolidation Principles of Consolidation. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Conn’s, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Variable Interest Entity
Variable Interest Entities. VIEs are consolidated if the Company is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
We securitize customer accounts receivables by transferring the receivables to various bankruptcy-remote VIEs. We retain the servicing of the securitized portfolio and have a variable interest in each corresponding VIE by holding the residual equity. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of each respective VIE because (i) our servicing responsibilities for the securitized portfolio give us the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the performance of the VIE and (ii) our variable interest in the VIE gives us the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive residual returns that potentially could be significant. As a result, we consolidate the respective VIEs within our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Refer to Note 5, Debt and Financing Lease Obligations, and Note 7, Variable Interest Entities, for additional information.
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make informed judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Changes in facts and circumstances or additional information may result in revised estimates, and actual results may differ, even significantly, from these estimates. Management evaluates its estimates and related assumptions regularly, including those related to the allowance for doubtful accounts and allowances for no-interest option credit programs, which are particularly sensitive given the size of our customer portfolio balance.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and Cash Equivalents. As of October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents included cash and credit card deposits in transit. Credit card deposits in transit included in cash and cash equivalents were $4.6 million and $5.2 million as of October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, respectively. Restricted Cash. The restricted cash balance as of October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022 includes $38.2 million and $25.7 million, respectively, of cash we collected as servicer on the securitized receivables that was subsequently remitted to the VIEs and $5.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively, of cash held by the VIEs as additional collateral for the asset-backed notes.
Customer Accounts Receivable Customer Accounts Receivable. Customer accounts receivable reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes total receivables managed, including both those transferred to the VIEs and those not transferred to the VIEs. Customer accounts receivable are recognized at the time the customer takes possession of the product. Expected lifetime losses on customer accounts receivable are recognized upon origination through an allowance for credit losses account that is deducted from the customer account receivable balance and presented net. Customer accounts receivable include the net of unamortized deferred fees charged to customers and origination costs. Customer receivables are considered delinquent if a payment has not been received on the scheduled due date. Accounts that are delinquent more than 209 days as of the end of a month are charged-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts along with interest accrued subsequent to the last payment.In an effort to mitigate losses on our accounts receivable, we may make loan modifications to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty. The loan modifications are intended to maximize net cash flow after expenses and avoid the need to exercise legal remedies available to us. We may extend or “re-age” a portion of our customer accounts, which involves modifying the payment terms to defer a portion of the cash payments due. Our re-aging of customer accounts does not change the interest rate or the total principal amount due from the customer and typically does not reduce the monthly contractual payments. To a much lesser extent, we may provide the customer the ability to refinance their account, which typically does not change the interest rate or the total principal amount due from the customer but does reduce the monthly contractual payments and extend the term. We consider accounts that have been re-aged in excess of three months or refinanced as Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR” or “Restructured Accounts”).
Interest Income on Customer Accounts Receivable
Interest Income on Customer Accounts Receivable. Interest income, which includes interest income and amortization of deferred fees and origination costs, is recorded using the interest method and is reflected in finance charges and other revenues. Typically, interest income is recorded until the customer account is paid off or charged-off and we provide an allowance for estimated uncollectible interest. We reserve for interest that is more than 60 days past due. Any contractual interest income received from customers in excess of the interest income calculated using the interest method is recorded as deferred revenue on our balance sheets. At October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, there was $8.2 million and $8.6 million, respectively, of deferred interest included in deferred revenues and other credits and other long-term liabilities. The deferred interest will ultimately be brought into income as the accounts pay off or charge-off.
We offer a 12-month no-interest option program. If the customer is delinquent in making a scheduled monthly payment or does not repay the principal in full by the end of the no-interest option program period (grace periods are provided), the account does not qualify for the no-interest provision and none of the interest earned is waived. Interest income is recognized based on estimated accrued interest earned to date on all no-interest option finance programs with an offsetting reserve for those customers expected to satisfy the requirements of the program based on our historical experience.
We recognize interest income on TDR accounts using the interest income method, which requires reporting interest income equal to the increase in the net carrying amount of the loan attributable to the passage of time. Cash proceeds and other adjustments are applied to the net carrying amount such that it equals the present value of expected future cash flows.
We place accounts in non-accrual status when legally required. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to principal and reduce the balance of the loan. At October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, the carrying value of customer accounts receivable in non-accrual status was $7.6 million and $5.9 million, respectively. At October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, the carrying value of customer accounts receivable that were past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest totaled $92.4 million and $84.1 million, respectively. At October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, the carrying value of customer accounts receivable in a bankruptcy status that were less than 60 days past due of $7.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, were included within the customer receivables balance carried in non-accrual status.
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Policy for Uncollectible Amounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses is, by nature, highly complex and subjective. Future events that are inherently uncertain could result in material changes to the level of the allowance for credit losses. General economic conditions, changes to state or federal regulations and a variety of other factors that affect the ability of borrowers to service their debts or our ability to collect will impact the future performance of the portfolio.
We establish an allowance for credit losses, including estimated uncollectible interest, to cover expected credit losses on our customer accounts receivable resulting from the failure of customers to make contractual payments. Our customer accounts receivable portfolio balance consists of a large number of relatively small, homogeneous accounts. None of our accounts are large enough to warrant individual evaluation for impairment. The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis where similar risk characteristics exist. The allowance for credit losses is determined for each pool and added to the pool’s carrying amount to establish a new amortized cost basis.
We use a risk-based, pool-level segmentation framework to calculate the expected loss rate. This framework is based on our historical gross charge-off history. In addition to adjusted historical gross charge-off rates, estimates of post-charge-off recoveries, including cash payments from customers, sales tax recoveries from taxing jurisdictions, and payments received under credit insurance and repair service agreement (“RSA”) policies are also considered. We also consider forward-looking economic forecasts based on a statistical analysis of economic factors (specifically, forecast of unemployment rates over the reasonable and supportable forecasting period). To the extent that situations and trends arise which are not captured in our model, management will layer on additional qualitative adjustments.
Pursuant to ASC 326 requirements, the Company uses a 24-month reasonable and supportable forecast period for the customer accounts receivable portfolio. We estimate losses beyond the 24-month forecast period based on historic loss rates experienced over the life of our historic loan portfolio by loan pool type. We revisit our measurement methodology and assumption annually, or more frequently if circumstances warrant.
As of October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, the balance of allowance for doubtful accounts and uncollectible interest for non-TDR customer receivables was $152.6 million and $165.0 million, respectively. As of October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, the amount included in the allowance for doubtful accounts associated with principal and interest on TDR accounts was $35.1 million and $44.0 million, respectively.
Debt Issuance Costs and Loss on Extinguishment of Debt Debt Issuance Costs. Costs that are direct and incremental to debt issuance are deferred and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected life of the debt. All other costs related to debt issuance are expensed as incurred. We present debt issuance costs associated with long-term debt as a reduction of the carrying amount of the debt. Unamortized costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility, as defined in Note 5, Debt and Financing Lease Obligations, are included in other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and were $4.0 million and $5.1 million as of October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, respectively.Loss on Extinguishment. During the nine months ended October 31, 2021, we incurred a loss of $1.0 million related to the retirement of the remaining $141.2 million aggregate principal amount of our 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 and a loss of $0.2 million related to the amendment of our Fifth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes. For the nine months ended October 31, 2022 and 2021, we utilized the estimated annual effective tax rate based on our estimated fiscal year 2023 and 2022 pre-tax income, respectively, in determining income tax expense.
Provision for income taxes for interim periods is based on an estimated annual income tax rate, adjusted for discrete tax items. As a result, our interim effective tax rates may vary significantly from the statutory tax rate and the annual effective tax rate.
For the nine months ended October 31, 2022 and 2021, the effective tax rate was 16.9% and 23.7%, respectively. The primary factor affecting the decrease in our effective tax rate for the nine months ended October 31, 2022 was the impact of state taxes and compensation expense.
Earnings per Share
Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share for a particular period is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effects of any stock options, RSUs and PSUs, which are calculated using the treasury-stock method. The following table sets forth the shares outstanding for the earnings per share calculations: 
 Three Months Ended
October 31,
Nine Months Ended
October 31,
2022202120222021
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Basic23,911,273 29,488,321 24,172,679 29,418,047 
Dilutive effect of stock options, PSUs and RSUs— 773,100 — 709,372 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted23,911,273 30,261,421 24,172,679 30,127,419 
For the three months ended October 31, 2022 and 2021, the weighted average number of stock options, RSUs and PSUs not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect, was 1,545,180 and 715,051, respectively. For the nine months ended October 31, 2022 and 2021, the weighted average number of stock options, RSUs and PSUs not included in the calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect, was 1,429,381 and 734,407, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized using defined hierarchical levels related to subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair value measurements as follows:  
Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (for example, quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or market-corroborated inputs).
Level 3 – Inputs that are not observable from objective sources such as our internally developed assumptions used in pricing an asset or liability (for example, an estimate of future cash flows used in our internally developed present value of future cash flows model that underlies the fair-value measurement).
In determining fair value, we use observable market data when available, or models that incorporate observable market data. When we are required to measure fair value and there is not a market-observable price for the asset or liability or for a similar asset or liability, we use the cost or income approach depending on the quality of information available to support
management’s assumptions. The cost approach is based on management’s best estimate of the current asset replacement cost. The income approach is based on management’s best assumptions regarding expectations of future net cash flows and discounts the expected cash flows using a commensurate risk-adjusted discount rate. Such evaluations involve significant judgment, and the results are based on expected future events or conditions such as sales prices, economic and regulatory climates, and other factors, most of which are often outside of management’s control. However, we believe assumptions used reflect a market participant’s view of long-term prices, costs, and other factors and are consistent with assumptions used in our business plans and investment decisions.
In arriving at fair-value estimates, we use relevant observable inputs available for the valuation technique employed. If a fair-value measurement reflects inputs at multiple levels within the hierarchy, the fair-value measurement is characterized based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair-value measurement.
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of customer accounts receivable, determined using a Level 3 discounted cash flow analysis, approximates their carrying value, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The fair value of our Revolving Credit Facility approximates carrying value based on the current borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements. At October 31, 2022, the fair value of the asset backed notes was $469.7 million as compared to the carrying value of $477.5 million and was determined using Level 2 inputs based on inactive trading activity.
Deferred Revenue Deferred Revenue. Deferred revenue related to contracts with customers consists of deferred customer deposits and deferred RSA administration fees. During the nine months ended October 31, 2022, we recognized $3.9 million of revenue for customer deposits deferred as of January 31, 2022. During the nine months ended October 31, 2022, we recognized $2.6 million of revenue for RSA administrative fees deferred as of January 31, 2022.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Yet To Be Adopted
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted.
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, an update intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. This guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This accounting standards update became effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Yet to Be Adopted.
Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, an update that provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Scope, to clarify the scope of the guidance and reduce potential diversity in practice. The amendments in this update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. We expect to adopt ASC 2020-04 and ASC 2021-01 upon transition from LIBOR, prior to December 31, 2022. We do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments - Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures, an update that eliminates the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) by creditors in ASC 310-40 while enhancing disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings by creditors when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty. Specifically, rather than applying the recognition and measurement guidance for TDRs, an entity must apply the loan refinancing and restructuring guidance in ASC 310-20 to determine whether a modification results in a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively, with an option to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for the recognition and measurement of TDRs. We expect to adopt ASU 2022-02 during the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. We are currently assessing the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.