21.  NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the test for goodwill impairment. The standard eliminates the second step in the goodwill impairment test which requires an entity to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Instead, an entity should recognize an impairment loss if the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, with the impairment loss not to exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests conducted in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance related to the classification of certain transactions on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance on a new credit loss standard that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP. The new impairment model requires immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, the losses will be recognized as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018 is permitted. Entities will apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first effective reporting period. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance on Compensation-Stock Compensation, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which is intended to simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment awards. The effective date will be the first quarter of fiscal year 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on Accounting for Leases, which requires an entity to recognize both assets and liabilities arising from financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance on changes to the accounting for financial instruments that primarily affect equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Among other things, this new guidance requires certain equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This standard is effective in 2018 with certain provisions allowing for early adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance on Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The guidance requires inventory be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Additionally, the guidance defines net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied prospectively. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. Subsequent updates to the guidance were issued in 2016. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity will 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 and services. The standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Additionally, the guidance requires disaggregated disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017.

The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is in the initial stages of evaluating this standard in relation to arrangements with customers and believes that the current revenue arrangements in place are of lower complexity. The Company’s evaluation and implementation of this new guidance will be timely completed during 2017, at which time a conclusion regarding the transition method will be employed.