2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates and judgments are based on historical information, information that is currently available to the Company and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s most significant estimates relate to its allowances for receivables and deferred tax assets, plus the valuation of equity issuances.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all holdings of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of September 30, 2015, December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2016 the Company did not have any cash equivalents

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company recognizes an allowance for doubtful accounts to ensure that accounts receivable are not overstated due to un-collectability. At the time accounts receivable are originated, the Company considers a reserve for doubtful accounts based on the creditworthiness of customers.

Aged accounts receivable are reviewed by management for collectability. The provision for uncollectible amounts is continually reviewed and adjusted to maintain the allowance at a level considered adequate to cover future losses. The allowance is management’s best estimate of uncollectible amounts and is determined based on historical performance that is tracked by the Company on an ongoing basis. The customer is billed after the job has been completed, inspected and approval is obtained by its customer. The segmentation of large contracts into small manageable contracts allows for a particular job to be completed, inspected and approved for payment by the customer, with this cycle taking approximately only up to several weeks. The payments terms are generally 30 days. As of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and September 30, 2015, management has provided for an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $119,000, $89,000 and $89,000, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash with financial institutions with high credit ratings, which at times balances exceed the $250,000 FDIC insured amount. The Company is subject to risk of non-payment of its trade accounts receivable.

Our customer base is highly concentrated. Due to the fact that the majority of our revenues are non-recurring, project-based revenues, it is not unusual for there to be significant period-to-period shifts in customer concentrations. Revenue may significantly decline if the Company were to lose one or more of its significant customers, or if the Company were not able to obtain new customers upon the completion of significant contracts.

For the year ended September 30, 2015, the Company’s largest customers included a telecommunications company providing fiber optic based network solutions, (Customer C), and a corporate staffing customer within the Company’s staffing segment, (Customer D). During the transitional three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company’s largest customers included a multinational provider of communications technology and services, (Customer I) and a corporate staffing customer within the Company’s staffing segment, (Customer D). For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company’s largest customers included multinational telecommunications conglomerate (Customer M) and leader service provider in network managed and professional services, (Customer J).

The following tables set forth our revenues and accounts receivable balances for the periods indicated:

 Revenue and Cost of Goods Sold Recognition

Generally, including for the staffing business, revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Revenue in the telecommunication segment is principally all derived from construction projects performed under master and other service agreements as well as from contracts for specific projects or jobs requiring the construction and installation of an entire infrastructure system or specified units within an entire infrastructure system. The Company provides services under unit price or fixed price master service or other service agreements under which the Company furnishes specified units of service for a fixed price per unit of service and revenue is recognized upon completion of the defined project due to its short term nature. Revenue from fixed price contracts provides for a fixed amount of revenue for the entire project, subject to certain additions for changed scope or specifications. Such contracts provide that the customer accept completion of progress to date and compensate the Company for services rendered, which may be measured in terms of costs incurred, units installed, hours expended or some other measure of progress. Contract costs include all direct materials, labor and subcontracted costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools, repairs and the operational costs of capital equipment. Much of the materials associated with the Company’s work are customer-furnished and are therefore not included in contract revenue and costs.

Management reviews estimates of contract revenue and costs on an ongoing basis. Changes in job performance, job conditions and management’s assessment of expected contract settlements are factors that influence estimates of total contract value and total costs to complete those contracts and, therefore, the Company’s profit recognition. Changes in these factors may result in revisions to costs and income, and their effects are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined and accepted by the customer. Provisions for losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The majority of fixed price contracts are completed within one year.

The Company may incur costs subject to change orders, whether approved or unapproved by the customer, and/or claims related to certain contracts. Management determines the probability that such costs will be recovered based upon engineering studies and legal opinions, past practices with the customer, specific discussions, correspondence or preliminary negotiations with the customer. The Company treats such costs as a cost of contract performance in the period incurred if it is not probable that the costs will be recovered, or defers costs and/or recognizes revenue up to the amount of the related cost if it is probable that the contract price will be adjusted and can be reliably estimated. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, such amounts were not material. The Company actively engages in substantive meetings with its customers to complete the final approval process, and generally expects these processes to be completed within one year. The amounts ultimately realized upon final acceptance by its customers could be higher or lower than such estimated amounts.

For short term construction contracts, revenue is recognized once 100% of a contract segment is completed. A contract may have many segments, of which, once a segment is completed, the revenue for the segment is recognized when no further significant performance obligations exists. The Network’s construction contracts or segments of contracts typically range from several days to two to four months. Contract costs may be billed as incurred. Contract costs include all direct material and labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools and repairs. Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from contract penalty provisions, changes in raw materials costs, and final contract settlements may result in revisions to revenue, costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period such losses are known.

Deferred Financing Costs

The Company has recorded deferred financing costs as a result of fees incurred by the Company in conjunction with its debt financing activities. These costs are amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method which approximates the interest rate method over the term of the related debt. As of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and September 30, 2015, unamortized deferred financing costs were approximately $619,830, $801,640, and $140,000, respectively and are netted against the related debt. As of September 30, 2015, the deferred financing costs were not netted against the debt as the senior credit did not close until October 28, 2015. Amortization of such fees were $725,165, and $72,877, and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2016, transitional three months ended December 31, 2015, and the year ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at the lower of cost or fair value. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, as follows:

The estimated useful lives are based on the nature of the assets as well as current operating strategy and legal considerations such as contractual life. Future events, such as property expansions, property developments, new competition, or new regulations, could result in a change in the manner in which the Company uses certain assets requiring a change in the estimated useful lives of such assets.

Maintenance and repairs that neither materially add to the value of the asset nor appreciably prolong its life are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on disposition of property and equipment are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

Valuation of Long-lived Assets

The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with related accounting standards. Assets to be held and used (including projects under development as well as property and equipment), are reviewed for impairment whenever indicators of impairment exist. If an indicator of impairment exists, the Company first groups its assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities (the “asset group”). Secondly, the Company estimates the undiscounted future cash flows that are directly associated with and expected to arise from the completion, use and eventual disposition of such asset group. The Company estimates the undiscounted cash flows over the remaining useful life of the primary asset within the asset group. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the carrying value, no impairment is indicated. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, then an impairment is measured based on fair value compared to carrying value, with fair value typically based on a discounted cash flow model. If an asset is still under development, future cash flows include remaining construction costs. There were no impairments during the periods presented.

Income Taxes

The Company records income taxes under the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and attributable to operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Accounting standards regarding income taxes requires a reduction of the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance, if based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accordingly, the need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed at each reporting period based on a “more likely than not” realization threshold. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the Company’s experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforwards not expiring unused, and tax planning alternatives.

Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Accounting standards regarding uncertainty in income taxes provides a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely, based solely on the technical merits, of being sustained on examinations. The Company considers many factors when evaluating and estimating its tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately anticipate actual outcomes.

Equity

The Company applies the classification and measurement principles enumerated in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” with respect to accounting for its issuances of the preferred stock. The Company evaluates convertible preferred stock at each reporting date for appropriate balance sheet classification.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) standard related to fair value measurement at inception. The standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. The standard applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and, accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. The standard clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The recorded values of long-term debt approximate their fair values, as interest approximates market rates. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the standard established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and notes payable. The recorded values of accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair values due to the short maturities of such instruments. Recorded values for notes payable and related liabilities approximate fair values, since their amortization of deferred financing cost stated or imputed interest rates are commensurate with prevailing market rates for similar obligations.

Segment Reporting

The Company operates in the telecommunications infrastructure services industry and, effective May 8, 2014, entered the staffing industry. The Company has concluded that the staffing business qualifies as a separate segment for the year ended December 31, 2016, the transitional three months ended December 31, 2015, and the year ended September 30, 2015, as such, the Company has reported segment results pursuant to ASC 280-10 “Segment Reporting” for the year ended December 31, 2016, the transitional three months ended December 31, 2015, and the year ended September 30, 2015.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period (the denominator). Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding (if dilutive) during each period. Potential common shares include convertible debt, warrants and preferred stock. The number of potential common shares outstanding relating to convertible debt, warrants and preferred stock is computed using the treasury stock method. For the periods presented, potential dilutive securities had an anti-dilutive effect and were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per common share. Comparative data for the previous period has been adjusted to reflect the 1 for 20 reverse split effectuated May 26, 2016.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:

The following securities are excluded from the calculation of weighted average dilutive common shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

^[1] The Series D and Series F preferred shares are mandatorily convertible at a rate of 400 shares of common stock for each share of preferred stock upon (a) a sufficient increase in the authorized common shares; and (b) a reverse split of the common shares. These shares mandatorily converted to common stock with the reverse split and increase in authorized common shares effective May 26, 2016. All shares have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the reverse split.

Advertising

Advertising costs, if any, are expensed as incurred. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the transitional three months ended December 31, 2015, and the year ended September 30, 2015, respectively, the Company’s spending on advertising was not material.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations or loss per share. Comparative data for the previous period has also been adjusted to reflect the 1 for 20 reverse split effectuated May 26, 2016. 

Liquidity and Managements’ Plans

During the year ended December 31, 2016 the Company has incurred a net loss of $6.3 million and, in addition, the Company has working capital deficit of $3.4 million, which includes approximately $2.2 million of liabilities for unpaid payroll taxes and the related penalties and interest. Management’s plans are to enter into an installment plan with the IRS for the payment of the unpaid payroll taxes and to continue to raise additional funds through the sales of debt or equity securities until such time that operations generate sufficient cash to operate the business. On October 28, 2015 the Company entered into an $8 million senior secured credit facility. Of the proceeds received, approximately $1.8 million was used to extinguish approximately $3.4 million of Company debt and $3.0 million was deposited into a restricted Company bank account which requires Lateral’s approval to utilize. On April 20, 2017, in conjunction with the acquisition of Benchmark Builders Inc, Lateral amended its existing credit facility to provide for approximately $10.1 million towards the cash purchase price, and extending the maturity date of the existing credit facility to March 31, 2019. Additionally, the Company, in conjunction with the Benchmark acquisition, took on approximately $50 million dollars of debt, $12,500,000 which matures on April 20, 2019, $30,000,000 which matures on April 20, 2020, and $7,500,000 which matures on October 20, 2018. With Benchmark’s 2016 annual revenues of $386 million and a backlog as of December 31, 2016 of $259 million, combined with the Company’s backlog as of December 31, 2016 of $45.5 million, the Company believes that it has the ability to support this additional debt and fund all current operations. However, if needed, there is no assurance that additional financing will be available or that management will be able to obtain and close financing on terms acceptable to the Company, enter into an acceptable installment plan with the IRS, which is scheduled to be presented in the third quarter of 2017, or whether the Company will become profitable and generate positive operating cash flow. If the Company is unable to raise sufficient additional funds or generate positive operating cash flow, it will have to develop and implement a plan to further extend payables and reduce overhead until sufficient additional capital is raised to support further operations. There can be no assurance that such a plan will be successful.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04: “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. It is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment test performed with a measurement date after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”, which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The standard introduces a screen for determining when assets acquired are not a business and clarifies that a business must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that contribute to an output to be considered a business. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the standard to determine the impact of its adoption on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” which clarifies the presentation requirements of restricted cash within the statement of cash flows. The changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents during the period should be included in the beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents balance reconciliation on the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item within the statement of financial position, an entity shall calculate a total cash amount in a narrative or tabular format that agrees to the amount shown on the statement of cash flows. Details on the nature and amounts of restricted cash should also be disclosed. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” ASU No. 2016-15 clarifies and provides specific guidance on eight cash flow classification issues that are not currently addressed by current GAAP and thereby reduce the current diversity in practice. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early application permitted. This guidance is applicable to the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the standard to determine the impact of its adoption on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). The standard is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, which for the Company will commence with the year beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted commencing January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the standard to determine the impact of its adoption on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The standard requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which for the Company will commence with the year beginning January 1, 2019, with early application permitted. The adoption will require a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the standard to determine the impact of the adoption on the consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-07”), an update to accounting guidance to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes. The guidance requires an entity to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets, along with any valuation allowance, as noncurrent in the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for public companies with annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is permitted. The Company has elected to early adopt ASU 2015-17 during the year ended December 31, 2015 with retrospective application. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. ASU 2014-15 is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard for the year ended December 31, 2016. The adoption of these amendments did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition” and some cost guidance included in ASC Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition - Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that revenue is recognized when the transfer of goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 requires the disclosure of sufficient information to enable readers of the Company’s financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosure of information regarding significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 provides two methods of retrospective application. The first method would require the Company to apply ASU 2014-09 to each prior reporting period presented. The second method would require the Company to retrospectively apply ASU 2014-09 with the cumulative effect recognized at the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019 as a result of ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date,” which was issued by the FASB in August 2015 and extended the original effective date by one year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the available methodologies of ASU 2014-09 and 2015-14 upon its financial statements in future reporting periods. The Company has not yet selected a transition method. The Company is in the process of evaluating the new standard against its existing accounting policies, including the timing of revenue recognition, and its contracts with customers to determine the effect the guidance will have on its financial statements and what changes to systems and controls may be warranted.

There have been four new ASUs issued amending certain aspects of ASU 2014-09, ASU 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net),” was issued in March, 2016 to clarify certain aspects of the principal versus agent guidance in ASU 2014-09. In addition, ASU 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” issued in April 2016, amends other sections of ASU 2014-09 including clarifying guidance related to identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation. ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” provides amendments and practical expedients to the guidance in ASU 2014-09 in the areas of assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes received from customers, noncash consideration, contract modification and clarification of using the full retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. Finally, ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” was issued in December 2016, and provides elections regarding the disclosures required for remaining performance obligations in certain cases and also makes other technical corrections and improvements to the standard. With its evaluation of the impact of ASU 2014-09, the Company will also consider the impact on its financial statements related to the updated guidance provided by these four new ASUs.

In April 7, 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”. the FASB issued an Accounting Standard Update relating to simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The adoption of this has been applied retrospectively, and accordingly, the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 have been reclassified to reflect this adoption. The impact of this reclassification was a decrease of $619,830 to our senior debt as of December 31, 2016 and $801,640 as of December 31, 2015, and a corresponding elimination of Deferred financing costs as a separate financial statement line item. Deferred financing costs, $140,000 as of September 30, 2015, was carried as a prepaid expense as the new senior debt was not entered into until October 28, 2015.