Infosys BPO Limited ("Infosys BPO" or "the Company") was incorporated as Progeon Limited on April 3, 2002 to provide business process management services to organizations that outsource their business processes. Infosys BPO is a majority owned and controlled subsidiary of Infosys Technologies Limited ("Infosys", NASD NM: INFY). The Company helps clients improve their competitive positioning by managing their business processes in addition to providing increased value. The name of the Company was changed from Progeon Limited to Infosys BPO Limited with effect from August 29, 2006.
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in India ("GAAP") on accrual basis except for certain financial instruments which are measured at fair values. GAAP comprises accounting standards as specified in rule 3 of the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules 2006, and the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 to the extent applicable. Accounting policies have been consistently applied except where a newly issued accounting standard is initially adopted or a revision to an existing accounting standard requires a change in the accounting policy hitherto in use. Management evaluates all recently issued or revised accounting standards on an on-going basis.
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires that the management of the company makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of income and expenses of the period, reported balances of assets and liabilities and disclosures relating to contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements. Examples of such estimates includes provision for doubtful debts, future obligations under employee retirement benefit plans, provision for income taxes, provision for SLA and the useful lives of fixed assets.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. Any revision to accounting estimates is recognized prospectively in current and future periods.
The company derives its revenues primarily from business process management services, on time-and-material, fixed-price, fixed-time frame and unit-price basis. Revenue on time-and-material contracts is recognized as the related services are rendered. Revenue from fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, where there is no uncertainty as to measurement and collectibility of consideration, is recognized as per the proportionate-completion method. Revenues from unit-priced contracts are recognized as transactions are processed based on objective measures of output. Cost and earnings in excess of billings are classified as unbilled revenue while billing in excess of cost and earnings is classified as deferred revenue. Provision for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts are recorded in the period in which such losses become probable based on the current estimates. When the company receives advances for its services, such amounts are reflected as advance received from clients until all conditions for revenue recognition are met. The company presents revenues net of service taxes and value added taxes in its Profit and Loss account.
The company accounts for volume discounts and pricing incentives to customers as a reduction of revenue based on the ratable allocation of the discount/incentive amount to each of the underlying revenue transactions that result in progress by the customer towards earning the discount/incentive. Also when the level of discount varies with increase in levels of revenue transactions, the company recognizes the liability based on its estimate of the customer’s future purchases if it is probable that the criteria for the discount will not be met, or if the amount thereof cannot be estimated reliably. The company recognizes changes in the estimated amount of obligation for discount using cumulative catch-up approach. The discounts are passed on the customer either as direct payments or as a reduction of payments due from customer.
Profit on sale of investment is recorded on the transfer of title from the company and is determined as the difference between the sale price and the carrying value of the investment. Interest on deployment of surplus funds is recognized using time proportion method, based on underlying interest rates. Dividend income is recognized when the company’s right to receive dividend is established.
The cost of software user licenses purchased for rendering business process management services is charged to revenue when put to use. Lease under which the company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. Such assets acquired are capitalized at fair value of the asset or present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease, whichever is lower. Lease payments under operating leases are recognized as an expense on a straight line basis in the Profit and Loss account over the lease term.
Fixed assets are stated at cost, after reducing accumulated depreciation and impairment upto the date of the Balance Sheet. Direct costs are capitalized until the assets are ready for use and include financing costs relating to any borrowing attributable to acquisition or construction of those fixed assets which necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for their intended use. Capital work-in-progress includes the cost of fixed assets that are not yet ready for their intended use and advances paid to acquire fixed assets before the Balance Sheet date. Intangible assets are recorded at the consideration paid for acquisition of such assets and are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment. Goodwill on amalgamation is tested periodically for impairment.
Depreciation on fixed assets is determined using the straight-line method based on useful lives of assets as estimated by the company. Depreciation for assets purchased/sold during the period is proportionately charged. Individual assets costing Rs. 5,000 or less are depreciated within a year of acquisition. Leasehold improvements are written off over the lower of the lease term or the useful life of the asset. Leasehold land is amortized over the lease period. Intangible assets are amortized over their useful life on a straight line basis commencing from the date the asset is available to the company for its use. Management estimates the useful lives for the various fixed assets as follows:
| Building | Fifteen years |
| Computer equipment | Two years |
| Plant and machinery | Five years |
| Furniture and fixtures | Five years |
In accordance with the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, Infosys BPO provides for gratuity, a defined benefit retirement plan (the "Gratuity Plan") covering all employees. The Gratuity Plan provides a lump sum payment to vested employees at retirement, death, incapacitation or termination of employment, of an amount based on the respective employee's eligible salary and the tenure of employment. Liabilities with regard to the Gratuity Plan are determined by an actuarial valuation, carried out at the period end by an independent actuary using the projected unit credit method, based upon which company contributes to the Infosys BPO employees Gratuity Fund Trust (the 'Trust'). The trustee administers contributions made to the Trust and invests the corpus with LIC of India.
The company recognizes the net obligation of the gratuity plan in the Balance Sheet as an asset or liability, respectively in accordance with Accounting Standard (AS) 15, “Employee Benefits”. The discount rate is based on the Government securities yield. Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in the Profit and Loss account in the period in which they arise.
Certain employees of Infosys BPO are eligible for superannuation benefits. The company contributes Rs.100 annually for the superannuation benefits of the employees. The company has no further obligations to the superannuation plan beyond the yearly contribution to the trust fund, the corpus of which is invested with the LIC of India.
Eligible employees receive benefits from a provident fund, which is a defined contribution plan. Both the employee and the company make monthly contributions to this provident fund plan equal to a specified percentage of the covered employee's salary. Amounts collected under the provident fund plan are deposited in a Government administered provident fund. The company has no further obligations under the provident fund plan beyond its monthly contributions.
The employees of the Company are entitled to compensated absences which are both accumulating and non-accumulating in nature. The expected cost of accumulating compensated absences is determined by actuarial valuation based on the additional amount expected to be paid as a result of the unused entitlement that has accumulated at the Balance Sheet date. Expense on non-accumulating compensated absences is recognized in the period in which the absences occur.
Revenue from overseas clients and collections deposited in bank accounts are recorded at the exchange rate as of the date of the respective transactions. Expenditure in foreign currency is accounted at the exchange rate prevalent when such expenditure is incurred. Disbursements made out of bank accounts are reported at a rate that approximates the actual monthly rate. Exchange differences are recorded when the amount actually received on sales or actually paid when expenditure is incurred is converted into Indian rupees. The exchange differences arising on foreign currency transactions are recognized as income or expense in the period in which they arise. Monetary assets and monetary liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate prevalent at the date of the Balance Sheet. The resulting difference is also recorded in the Profit and Loss account. Non-monetary assets and non-monetary liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and measured at historical cost are translated at the exchange rate prevalent at the date of transaction.
The company uses forward contracts and options contracts to hedge its exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates. The use of these forward contracts and option contracts reduces the risk or cost to the company and the company does not use the forward contracts and option contracts for trading or speculation purposes.
Effective April 1,2008 the Company adopted Accounting Standard AS 30 " Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement", to the extent that the adoption does not conflict with existing mandatory accounting standards and other authoritative pronouncements, Company law and other regulatory requirements.
Forward and options contracts are fair valued at each reporting date. The company records the mark to market gain or loss on effective hedges in the foreign currency fluctuation reserve until the transactions are complete. On completion, the gain or loss is transferred to the Profit and Loss account of that period. To designate a forward contract or option contracts as an effective hedge, management objectively evaluates and evidences with appropriate supporting documents at the inception of each contract whether the contract is effective in achieving offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. In the absence of a designation as an effective hedge, a gain or loss is recognized in the Profit and Loss account. Currently the hedges undertaken by the company are all ineffective in nature and the resultant gain or loss consequent to fair valuation is recognized in the Profit and Loss account at each reporting date.
Income taxes are computed using the tax effect accounting method, where taxes are accrued in the same period the related revenue and expenses arise. A provision is made for income tax for the period based on the tax liability computed, after considering tax allowances and exemptions. Provisions are recorded when it is estimated that a liability due to disallowances or other matters is probable. Minimum Alternative Tax ( MAT) paid in accordance with the tax laws, which gives rise to future economic benefits in the form of adjustment of future income tax liability , is considered as an asset if there is convincing evidence that the company will pay normal tax after the tax holiday period and the resultant asset can be measured reliably. Accordingly, it is recognized as an asset in the Balance Sheet when it is probable that the future economic benefit associated with it will flow to the company and the asset can be measured reliably. The Company offsets, on a year on year basis, the current tax assets and liabilities, where it has a legally enforceable right and where it intends to settle such assets and liabilities on a net basis.
The differences that result between the profit considered for income taxes and the profit as per the financial statements are identified, and thereafter a deferred tax asset or deferred tax liability is recorded for timing differences, namely the differences that originate in one accounting period and reverse in another, based on the tax effect of the aggregate amount being considered. The tax effect is calculated on the accumulated timing differences at the end of an accounting period based on prevailing enacted or substantively enacted regulations. Deferred tax assets in situation of unabsorbed depreciation and carry forward business losses exist, are recognized only to the extent that there is virtual certainty that sufficient future taxable income will be available against which such deferred tax assets can be realized. Deferred tax assets, other than in situation of unabsorbed depreciation and carry forward business losses are recognized only if there is reasonable certainty that they will be realized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed for the appropriateness of their respective carrying values at each Balance Sheet date.
The company recognizes a provision when there is a present obligation as a result of a past event that probably requires an outflow of resources and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. A disclosure for a contingent liability is made when there is a present obligation that cannot be estimated reliably or a possible or present obligation that may, but probably will not, require an outflow of resources. Where there is a possible obligation or a present obligation that the likelihood of outflow of resources is remote, no provision or disclosure is made. Provisions are made for all known losses and liabilities and future unforeseeable factors that may affect the profit on fixed-price business process management contracts.
Provisions for onerous contracts, i.e. contracts where the expected unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it, are recognized when it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle a present obligation as a result of an obligating event based on a reliable estimate of such obligation.
Management periodically assesses using, external and internal sources, whether there is an indication that an asset (including goodwill) may be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized wherever the carrying value of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is higher of the asset’s net selling price and value in use i.e. the present value of future cash flows expected to arise from the continuing use of the asset and its eventual disposal. An impairment loss for an asset is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. The carrying amount of an asset is increased to its revised recoverable amount, provided that this amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of any accumulated amortization or depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years.
In determining earnings per share, the company considers the net profit after tax. The number of shares used in computing basic earnings per share is the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of basic and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period, except where the result would be anti-dilutive. Dilutive potential equity shares are deemed converted as of the beginning of the period, unless they have been issued at a later date.
Trade investments are the investments made to enhance the company's business interests. Investments are either classified as current or long-term based on the management's intention at the time of purchase. Current investments are carried at the lower of cost and fair value, determined on an individual investment basis. Cost for overseas investments comprises the Indian Rupee value of the consideration paid for the investment. Long-term investments are carried at cost and provisions recorded to recognize any diminution, other than temporary, in the carrying value of each investment. Any dividends are recorded as income in the Profit and Loss account when the right to receive dividend is established.
Cash flows are reported using the indirect method, whereby profit before tax is adjusted for the effects of transactions of a non - cash nature and any deferrals or accruals of past or future cash receipts or payments. The cash flows from operating, financing and investing activities of the company are segregated. Cash flows in foreign currency are accounted at average monthly exchange rates that approximate the actual rates of exchange prevailing at the date of the transaction.
The company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Research Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Accounting for employee share based payments, to account for its fixed plan stock options. Under this method, compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price. The options vest on a graded basis; however there is no compensation expense since the grants are made at exercise prices equal to or greater than fair market value, as of the date of the grant.
| As at March 31, | ||
| 2010 | 2009 | |
| Estimated amount of unexecuted capital contracts (net of advance and deposits) | 12,39,09,532 | 21,66,44,472 |
| Forward contracts outstanding | ||
| USD/INR | $ 39,000,000 | $ 32,500,000 |
| (Equivalent approximate in Rs.) | (1,75,11,00,000) | (1,64,84,00,000) |
| GBP/USD | £ 3,500,000 | £ 5,500,000 |
| ( Equivalent approximate in Rs. ) | (23,78,60,000) | (39,86,95,000) |
| Claims against the company not acknowledged as debts | – | – |
As of the Balance Sheet date, the company’s net foreign currency exposure that is not hedged by a derivative instrument or otherwise is Rs. Nil (Rs. Nil as at March 31, 2009).
The company has an export obligation towards the Software Technology Parks of India, in respect of duty free capital imports made by it. The remaining export obligation was Nil as at March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009.