Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

v3.19.2
Basis of Presentation (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Consolidation
All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements.
Wyndham Hotels’ Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements prior to May 31, 2018, include certain indirect general and administrative costs allocated to it by former Parent for certain functions and services including, but not limited to, executive office, finance and other administrative support. These expenses have been allocated to Wyndham Hotels on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated primarily based on its pro-rata share of combined revenues or headcount. Both Wyndham Hotels and former Parent considered the basis on which expenses prior to spin-off had been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided to or the benefit received by Wyndham Hotels during the periods presented.
The Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis and prior to May 31, 2018 are derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Wyndham Worldwide. The Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial statements include Wyndham Hotels’ assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows and all entities in which Wyndham Hotels has a controlling financial interest.
Basis of Accounting
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Use of Estimate
In presenting the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and related disclosures. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to replace the existing methodology for estimating credit losses with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Upon adoption, the Company will be required to use a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivables, loans and other financial instruments. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Adoption of the guidance will be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date to align the Company’s credit loss methodology with the new guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance which simplifies the current two-step goodwill impairment test by eliminating Step 2 of the test. The guidance requires a one-step impairment test in which an entity compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, if any. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for the interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company believes the adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on its financial statements and related disclosures.
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance to address a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in such arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. This guidance should be applied on either a retrospective or prospective basis. The Company believes the prospective adoption of this guidance will not have a material effect on its financial statements and related disclosures.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance which requires companies generally to recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the new accounting guidance for leases using the modified retrospective approach as of January 1, 2019. See Note 14 - Leases for further details.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance which permits entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2019, as required. There was no material impact on its Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements and related disclosures.